Turmeric is a plant of the ginger family, and it’s used to create turmeric powder. The bright yellow spice is part of many applications including various cuisines and fabric dyes. Turmeric powder has become increasingly popular in the beauty industry in recent years because it is thought to be beneficial for skin and hair.
Turmeric contains curcumin, an antioxidant thought to have anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric is often used in skin-care products to ease redness, brighten the skin, and even skin tone. However, we only use it to add color and texture to our recipes. As always, if you’re selling your products, you can’t claim they cure redness or any skin condition. Learn more in the Understanding FDA Cosmetic vs. Drug Claims post.
This Turmeric & Ginger Body Scrub contains turmeric powder and ginger essential oil. The new essential oil smells just like freshly cut ginger. Made with sugar, it has a medium amount of scrub that’s great for the body but would be harsh on the face. The addition of olive oil provides moisturizing properties, while the Natural Castile Liquid Soap Base makes sure the scrub washes away cleanly. Without the liquid soap, you may experience some staining from the turmeric.
Looking for another way to incorporate turmeric into your skin-care routine? The Turmeric Clay Face Mask contains kaolin clay, carrot seed essential oil, and carrot extract. It leaves skin feeling refreshed and moisturized.
What You’ll Need:
Four Short 8 oz. Plastic Bail Jars
30 oz. Sugar
2 tsp. Turmeric Powder
2 oz. Olive Oil
2 oz. Natural Castile Liquid Soap Base
0.6 oz. Ginger Essential Oil
0.3 oz. Optiphen
Click here to add everything you need for this project to your Bramble Berry shopping cart!
ONE: In a small, essential oil-safe container, mix the olive oil, Natural Castile Liquid Soap Base, ginger essential oil, and Optiphen. Stir to thoroughly mix the ingredients and set the container aside.
NOTE ABOUT PRESERVATIVES: Although this scrub doesn’t contain water, it will likely get splashed in during use. The extra water may cause bacteria and mold to grow. We added a preservative to be extra careful, but it is optional. Read more in the Talk It Out Tuesday: Preservatives post.
TWO: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar and turmeric powder. Stir them together to fully combine and get rid of any chunks.
THREE: Pour the oil mixture into the sugar. Use your hands or a spatula to thoroughly mix.
FOUR: Transfer the mixture into the jars. To use, apply to wet skin, scrub in circular motions, and rinse off. Enjoy!
NOTE: This scrub has a tendency to dry out if it’s not stored in an airtight container. For best results, use a container with a tight seal to prevent it from drying out.
- Four Short 8 oz. Plastic Bail Jars
- 30 oz. Sugar
- 2 tsp. Turmeric Powder
- 2 oz. Olive Oil
- 2 oz. Natural Castile Liquid Soap Base
- 0.6 oz. Ginger Essential Oil
- 0.3 oz. Optiphen
- In a small, essential oil-safe container, mix the olive oil, Natural Castile Liquid Soap Base, ginger essential oil, and Optiphen. Stir to thoroughly mix the ingredients and set the container aside. NOTE ABOUT PRESERVATIVES: Although this scrub doesn’t contain water, it will likely get splashed in during use. The extra water may cause bacteria and mold to grow. We added a preservative to be extra careful, but it is optional. Read more in the Talk It Out Tuesday: Preservatives post.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar and turmeric powder. Stir them together to fully combine and get rid of any chunks.
- Pour the oil mixture into the sugar. Use your hands or a spatula to thoroughly mix.
- Transfer the mixture into the jars. To use, apply to wet skin, scrub in circular motions, and rinse off. Enjoy!
link says
Hi there, a mate in my FB mastermind shared your website with all of us so I came to look it over.
I’m definitely loving the information, thanks.
Que says
How can I make this into a face scrub? Thank You!
Terah with Bramble Berry says
This scrub may be a little harsh for the face. If you want to give it a try I would probably add in a little extra liquid oil to try and make it a bit more gentle.
If you’re looking for a face scrub recipe you could also try our Volcanic Sand & Charcoal Face Scrub:
https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/volcanic-sand-charcoal-face-scrub/
Que says
Thank You
Martha Palacios says
Hi!
how can I use this fabolous scrub? In the shower like soap liquid? or how?
Chloe with Bramble Berry says
You can use it in the shower or bath if you would like! That would be my preferred way of using it.
Joy says
Hi,
What is the purpose of the liquid castile soap in this recipe?Can it be left out or substituted? Also, is it possible to use ginger powder or ginger juice instead of the ginger essential oil?
Chloe with Bramble Berry says
The Liquid Castile Soap is added to this recipe to add cleansing properties to the scrub. You can substitute it with Potassium Cocoate or another type of liquid soap if you would like. I don’t know about the ginger powder or juice, the essential oil is just used to add scent.
mahsa says
Hi,
Is it possible to use another soap base but not the liquid one?
Terah with Bramble Berry says
We recommend using a liquid soap base in this recipe. A solid melt and pour base would be safe though it would harden so you would be making something more like scrub cubes.
DIY Violet Sugar Scrub Cubes: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/violet-solid-sugar-scrub-cubes/
Grace says
Does this make around 32 oz? Also is this more of a “dry” body scrub, i.e.- not as soaked with oils as other types? And if im adding fragrance oil in lieu of essential, do i still need the same amount or just measure in drops?
Kelsey with Bramble Berry says
This scrub makes about 35 ounces. It is more dry, you can see that it has a more crumbly texture. The liquid soap also adds cleansing properties so it doesn’t feel as oily.
For the fragrance, you can find out how much to add with our Fragrance Calculator. Just select “Salts” from the drop-down menu: http://www.brambleberry.com/Pages/Fragrance-Calculator.aspx
Oleksandra says
Hi,what the shelf life of this thing is?
Thanks
Kelsey with Bramble Berry says
The shelf life is 3-6 months. Store it in a cool, dry place.
Leslie says
Can I use Optiphen for any body scrub that I make? Or are different preservatives used for different ingredients?
Kelsey with Bramble Berry says
Optiphen and Phenonip both work well. They’ll work for pretty much all scrubs. You can use them at 1% of the total weight of the product.
Learn more about certain preservatives and what they’re used for here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/talk-it-out-tuesday-preservatives/
Lori says
I have been instructed by an experienced soapmaker who has been in business for over 20 years that, if the ingredient that colors the product is not an FDA-approved colorant (like turmeric), you have to color the product with an FDA-approved colorant (like lake colors), so that the color technically is coming from the FDA-approved colorants and the other ingredient is not technically coloring the product. Is that actually correct? Or is it ok that this product gets colored by just the turmeric? And are scrubs classified as cosmetics since they are used to exfoliate and not just cleanse the skin? Thanks for your help, I’m new at this and it’s a little confusing!
Kelsey with Bramble Berry says
Absolutely, we’re happy to help. Colorants do have to be on this FDA-approved list: https://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/Labeling/IngredientNames/ucm109084.htm
That being said, you can still add turmeric to your recipe because it’s skin safe. When you’re marketing your bars, you’ll want to emphasize that the turmeric was added for its other benefits rather than as a natural colorant.
Also, scrubs are classified as cosmetics.
Siobahn says
Hello
Would this scrub require microbiological testing, as they are non-aqueous?
Thanks
Kelsey with Bramble Berry says
No, this scrub doesn’t require testing. The Optiphen will help protect against mold and bacteria in case water is splashed in during use.
Brooke says
Is the tumeric powder just the tumeric you find in the dried herbs and spices section of the supermarket? TY
Kelsey with Bramble Berry says
Yes, just make sure it’s pure turmeric and there are no additives or other spices mixed in.
kinnery garg says
This scrub is recommended for which type of skin?
Kelsey says
Sugar is fine, so it has a more gentle exfoliation suitable for all types of skin, including sensitive. The larger the grain of exfoliant, the more intense the scrub is. If you like a more intense scrub, you can add something like coffee grounds or shredded loofah. Learn more in this post on exfoliants: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/all-about-exfoliants/
If your skin is very sensitive, you may want to add less or no essential oil. That way it’s extra gentle.
This post has more on creating products for allergies and sensitivities: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/soaping-with-allergies-nuts-gluten-more/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Mary Pilares says
Can I use a liquid castile soap with this recipe? Is it different from a castile soap base?
Kelsey says
This recipe uses Natural Castile Liquid Soap Base, which is a liquid soap that helps cleanse the skin and wash away any oil from the scrub. You can use another liquid soap if you like. Find liquid soap bases here: https://www.brambleberry.com/Liquid-Bases-C15.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Crystal Rose says
I tested this with regular liquid castile soap and the turmeric did not wash away. I ended up having to wipe the orange oil off my hands with a cloth.
Kelsey says
Hmm, I’m not sure why that’s happening. In our tests we found the scrub washed away. How much soap did you use in your recipe?
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Ivy Allen says
Would you be able to replace the sugar in this recipe with something else to turn it into a face scrub?
Kelsey says
You can. For the face, fine-grained exfoliants like colloidal oatmeal and baking soda work well. Learn more about exfoliants here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/all-about-exfoliants/
You can add the same amount of the exfoliant as the sugar and test the scrub. If you want it more scrubby, you can add more exfoliant. For a softer scrub, you can add more soap or oil. Also, because this scrub is going right by your nose, you may want to reduce the amount of essential.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
lubna says
hi
sorry im commenting on the wrong page but i want to ask about the emulsifying scrub. im unable to comment on that page
so my question is, do i need to use Liquid Soap Base as im unable to get it where i am. and the scrub requires me to add water.
can i do it without the water?
YOUR INGREDIENT
1.9 oz Sweet Almond Oil
0.6 oz Stearic Acid
1.2 oz Emulsifying Wax
0.7 oz Beeswax
1 oz. Mango Butter
3 oz Distilled Water
3 oz Natural Liquid Soap
0.1 oz Phenonip
0.1 oz Fragrance Oil (we used Morroccan Mint)
21-28 oz Fine Grain Sea Salt (or Sugar)
Lubna says
Will any of this work on the emulsifying scrub
glycerine soap base / melt & pour soap base
Thats all the seller has available
Lubna says
A tub of scrub i ordered, the maker used butter oils, beeswax, emulsifying wax and essential oil in her scrub with sugar
It had a hard consistency but lathered nicely on the body
It had a creamy feel to it, and rinsed off easily leaving the skin nice and oily/moisturized
How can I calculate the the measurements without the other stuff if i want to leave it basic..
Ive checked through your other scrubs, there isnt one with only ewax
Could you share me some links or advise please
Sorry, askiing alot *shy face*
Kelsey says
The emulsified scrub does need the water and liquid soap, without it the scrub will have a thick and waxy texture. We don’t have a scrub recipe like the one you described, but we do have some other options. These cubes are made with melt and pour soap and oil, so they lather, scrub, and moisturize at the same time: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/soaks-and-scrubs/diy-sugar-scrub-cubes/
You may also like this recipe, which is made with creamy orange butter: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/orange-butter-body-scrub-diy/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Lisa says
Could you use potassium cocoate instead of the liquid soap? I purchase that to make your orange poppyseed scrub. If so would you use the same amount or something different?
Kelsey says
Yes, potassium cocoate will work well in this scrub. It is similar to the liquid soap and will add cleansing properties to the recipe.
Potassium cocoate: https://www.brambleberry.com/Potassium-Cocoate-P5902.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
TW says
Could you use a polysorbate or liquid Germal in place of the optiphen?
Kelsey says
We haven’t used Germal, so you may want to make a small test batch to see if it works. Also, polysorbate 80 is an emulsifier but it doesn’t protect against mold and bacteria. You’ll want to use a preservative like Germal or Optiphen.
Learn more about preservatives here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lotion/talk-it-out-tuesday-preservatives/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Maggie says
The color you got with this scrub is fabulous! It is so eye catching 😍
Kelsey says
Oh thanks so much, glad you’re enjoying it. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Charles Celaya says
What other oils would you substitute for Olive oil?
Maggie says
I use Apricot Kernel Oil in my body scrubs & it works very well if you prefer not to use the Olive Oil. I got my Apricot Kernel Oil while it was on sale last month from Brambleberry.
Kelsey says
Apricot kernel oil is a great option, thanks Maggie! Rice bran or canola oil would be good substitutes as well.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Apricot kernel oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Apricot-Kernel-Oil-P3206.aspx
Rice bran oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Rice-Bran-Oil-P4971.aspx
Canola oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Canola-Oil-High-Oleic-P5548.aspx
Bethany says
Just wondering if the water in the castile base will dissolve the sugar?
Kelsey says
It doesn’t, the recipe stays nice and scrubby.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Bethany says
Thank you Kelsey! I can’t wait to try this.
Maryl says
This is a wonderful scrub. Thanks for the recipe.
Kelsey says
You’re welcome Maryl! Glad you like it.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Ginger says
Would it be ok to use the high sudsing liquid soap base instead of the castile? I was looking at buying the high sudsing and not necessarily wanting to buy 2 different liquid soap bases. Thanks!
Kelsey says
That should work just fine, it will give the scrub a little bit of lather.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Penny says
Can you use glyceri e instead of Castile soap?
Kelsey says
Glycerin may not wash away the turmeric like the soap does. I would recommend trying a small test batch with glycerin to see if you notice any staining. If so, soap is the way to go.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Linda L. says
Could you tell me what quantity 30 oz. of sugar is in cups or tbsps, please?
I’m a bit concerned about the turmeric staining – are you saying that, with the soap added, it won’t stain at all? I’m thinking of making this as a gift and not everyone would thank me for orange skin.
Penny says
Net wt 8 oz sugar is roughly 1 cup.
Kelsey says
The 30 oz. of sugar is about 3.75 cups. However, we do recommend weight measurements for this scrub as we find they’re more accurate. Learn more about weight vs. volume here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/a-guide-to-weight-vs-volume/
The soap in the recipe helps wash away that turmeric and prevent staining. Just make sure to mix the scrub really well so everything is well combined and there are no pockets of turmeric.
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Wallis Lahtinen-Hicks says
Tried the recipe. No orange skin!