This is an excerpt from my article “Star Anise + Cinnamon Brown Sugar Scrub Bars” featured in the Winter Vol 3 | Issue 11 | 2024 edition of Botanical Anthology. To learn more about the ingredients and uses of these bars, check out the entire article in the magazine! Our herbal magazine, featuring remedies, recipes and projects with plants for the winter season, can be purchased as a digital version here and as a printed version here.
Exfoliate and cleanse skin with brown sugar and warming spices. A spin on a classic self care staple, Star Anise + Cinnamon Brown Sugar Scrub Bars are perfect for giving a little extra love to dull, dry winter skin.
Materials
- 8 oz melt and pour soap base
- 1 c sunflower oil
- 1 tsp star anise essential oil
- 1 ½ tbsp cinnamon powder
- 3 c brown sugar
- Double boiler
- Thermometer
- Silicone soap mold
Method
Measure out all ingredients and prepare your work area with all materials necessary for the project.
Cut the soap base into small cubes and add them with the sunflower oil to a double boiler. Stir occasionally until fully melted, or microwave for 30 seconds intervals, stirring in between until fully melted.
When the soap base is fully melted, add the essential oil, cinnamon powder, and brown sugar, stirring well to combine. Work quickly to incorporate the remaining ingredients before the soap base cools down and thickens.
Pour the soap base into the molds. Ideally it should be at 130-140° F when pouring. If the base cools too much and becomes too thick, you can heat it again until it reaches the desired temperature.
Let the soaps fully cool and harden for several hours, then remove them from the molds. Store the bars in an airtight container.
