Cranberry Sugar Scrub

I love when something festive lines up perfectly with something scientifically sound! In this case this cranberry sugar scrub is both beautifully festive but also great for your skin for a multitude of reasons! I love using this on my own skin during the dry winter months, especially on things that get ridiculously dry like my elbows and heels, but also because of how pretty the scrub is, it is also a gorgeous holiday gift! Just pop it into a pretty jar and add a bow and you’re good to go- cost effective and thoughtful!

Now, we know why the cranberry sugar scrub is pretty- the red dried cranberry bits seem to almost sparkle in the sugar, but why is it good for you? A normal sugar scrub is great because the sugar is a bit less abrasive than salt while still being abrasive enough to exfoliate well. But in this case the cranberry does the heavy lifting!

Dehydrated Cranberry Benefits

You’ll see cranberry seed oil (we’re using both the seeds and berries in this recipe) in lots of skincare as it is an emollient (meaning it softens and soothes) and is also chock full of antioxidants and fatty acids. Unlike many dried types of produce, cranberry works well in oil because it is oil-soluble. You’ll notice after time that the cranberry bits start to ‘dye’ the oil around them and the whole scrub becomes more efficacious!

• Support Collagen Production: Cranberries are full of antioxidants like vitamins A, E, and polyphenols. These help to fight skin damage and free radicals and can support collagen production and skin elasticity. *
• Anti-Inflammatory: Cranberries contain quercetin and ursolic acid that can help sooth irritation and skin redness. **
• Brightening and Even Tone: Vitamin C and salicylic acid help reduce dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and acne scars.***
• Essential fatty acids (omega-3, 6, 9) and phospholipids (humectants that attract water) will help to lock in moisture to keep skin healthy, hydrated, and the skin barrier intact!****

Sources: * Antioxidant Activity , **Anti-Inflammatory, ***Salicylic Acid, ****Essential Fatty Acids

So now that we know *why* we want to use cranberry in our sugar scrub, how do we make it?!

Cranberry Sugar Scrub Ingredients

Cranberry Sugar Scrub Method

The big part of this scrub that makes it so great is dried cranberries (I’m using extra from my Spiced Winter Granola.) And we are talking actual dehydrated dried cranberries NOT craisins. I like to dehydrate my own at home. Slice each cranberry in half (saving the seeds if possible) and pop in the dehydrator (I’m using my tried-and-true Excalibur) and dehydrate at 135º for 12 hours or until they are so dry they snap in half. Then use a mortar and pestle to grind into powder.

If you do not have a dehydrator, this is unfortunately not a dehydrating project we want to do in an oven because we want to preserve as much of the micronutrients integrity as we can and an oven is too hot. So instead, I’d recommend sourcing and organic cranberry powder. No sugar added, just pure cranberry. You’ll usually find cranberry powder in the supplement section (just make sure you don’t get one with added probiotics) because cranberry is great at preventing and helping with UTIs if taken internally.

Once you have your cranberry powder, the rest is easy!

Melt down your solid oil and combine all ingredients in a bowl and combine well.

Transfer to an airtight container and store in a cool, dark place for up to three months!

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