DIY Chocolate Sugar Face Scrub

Hot chocolate sugar face scrub? Yes! And, you can make this DIY beauty facial at home for a fraction of the cost that a store-made brand would run.

 

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I’m fairly certain that I have the word ‘sucker’ scrawled across my forehead when it comes to anything that combines food and beauty. I’m not talking about slathering pounds of meaty lasagna across my face. But, any cosmetic, facial, cream, lotion or potion that has anything remotely chocolate, vanilla, cotton candy or frosting scented in it is completely irresistible to me. Maybe it’s the packaging or maybe it’s just the thought of smelling like a sweet, sweet cupcake all day long. In any case, I have somewhat of a spending problem when it comes to these beauty treats.

So, I decided to make my own. If chocolatey face scrubs are something that I know I just can’t pass up, why not try a DIY version (that is, instead of spending way more than I’d like to on one)? And, that’s where the hot chocolate sugar face scrub came into play. This is also an easy answer to a 'beauty day' with your child. If you've got a preschooler or young child who likes to explore with her sense of taste, chemical-filled store-bought facials are major no-no's. While your child certainly shouldn't gobble down this DIY scrub by the spoonful, it is only made from kitchen ingredients. That means a stray taste here or there isn't the worst thing in the world.

Before I go any farther, let me just say that the hot chocolate isn’t actually ‘hot’. It’s more of a slightly luke warm temperature. Obviously, actual hot chocolate would burn my skin (and yours too). With that in mind, never heat this mix up to a hot temperature. Again, let me say – never, ever touch or apply a hot mix to your skin. Only warm this scrub up to the temperature of warm running water from the faucet.

Why chocolate? For me the decision was mostly for the scent. I love, love, love the smell. But, some say that chocolate’s anti-oxidant properties are excellent for toning and hydration.

What else is in this  chocolate facial thing? As you’ll see, I’ve included heavy whipping cream. Aside from needing something to mix the chocolate with, I didn’t want anything oily in the mix. Some DIYers use coconut oil, olive oil or something similar as a base for homemade facial masks. My skin breaks out easily, so I don’t want to add oil to it. The cream was smooth enough to add some hydration, but didn’t make me feel like an oil slick had spread to my face.

I also added in coarse sugar. Aside from the sweetness factor, the thick grains acted as an exfoliant.

How did I make my chocolate scrub?

Here’s What You’ll Need:

·        ¼ cup heavy whipping cream

·        1 tablespoon dark cocoa powder

·        2 tablespoons coarse cane sugar

Here’s What to Do:

1. Whisk together the cream and cocoa.

2. Pop the mix (in a microwave-safe bowl) into the microwave for about 20 seconds. Microwaves vary in terms of intensity, so you may need more or less time. Heat the mixture until it is only slightly warm to the touch. The idea here is to make sure that the cocoa powder melts into the cream. It should feel like warm tap water.

3. Stir the mix again. At this point I transferred the mix into a new, smaller bowl. It kept it more manageable and helped it to cool down. If the cocoa is still a bit clumpy, that's ok.

4. Add the sugar, and mix it all together.

5. Test the scrub on the small spot on your hand or arm, making sure that it isn’t too hot first. If it’s steaming, smoking or bubbling it is definitely much too hot. Allow the mix to fully cool before applying it to any part of your skin. Testing the scrub also helps you to see if your skin reacts to it. I have extremely sensitive skin. Doing a test run first helps me to see if I’ll get a rash, redness or another issue form a cosmetic product.

6. Gently scrub your face in a light, circular motion. Keep the chocolate scrub away from your eyes and lips. (My teenage son played the role of photographer. He thought it was absolutely hilarious that I had brown goop all over my face and took this picture as slowly as he could).

7. Wash the scrub off with warm water. Pat dry with a soft towel.

That’s it! Easy enough, right? I’m a little bit of a safety freak, so I’m going to say again – this isn’t really a ‘hot’ chocolate recipe. The scrub should never get to the point of being a hot temperature. If it somehow does, let it cool down completely before applying it to your skin. A scrub that feels any warmer than the water that you shower with or the water that you typically wash your face with is way too hot. Also, if you know or suspect that you’re allergic or sensitive to any ingredient, skip the scrub.