Sugar may not be good for your insides, but a sugar scrub can be very good for your skin. Those expensive scrubs in department stores and spas… they cost pennies to make! Sugar scrubs are a simple beauty recipe with countless variations, and they can be incredibly moisturizing and exfoliating to the skin.
I use scrubs on my face, body, and (especially) feet to slough off dead skin and moisturize. The result? Silky skin with minimal effort!
If you are new to making your ownbeauty products(or even if you are a veteran natural beauty alchemist) I highly encourage you to try out these homemade sugar scrub recipes.
Why Use Sugar Scrub?
Taking time out from mom-life to take care of ourselves isn’t always easy, but let’s face it… skin needs TLC to stay healthy. Switching to more natural cosmetics and beauty products may mean leaving some of your favorite products behind.
Not to worry! In my experience anatural skin care regimecan work even better (and certainly is better for you). In many ways natural beauty products have simplified my routine since I can mix up what I need with simple ingredients I already have on hand.
Here’s the highlights of my skin care routine these days:
- Dry brush before showering (here’s how to do it)
- Exfoliate and moisturize with a scrub in the shower
- Apply a natural lotion post-shower
- Oil cleanse my face, adding a facial sugar scrub once or twice a week for exfoliation
- Finish with a quality nourishing face serum (this one is my absolute favorite)
I make up for the money I invest in a few high-quality store-bought beauty products by making the rest myself at home. Sugar scrub is so easy and fun to make, it’s one item I’ll never buy.
These also make a great DIY gift idea! Just put them in a cute mason jar and apply a decorative label or tag. Now you have a pampering and practical gift for an expecting/new mom, or for Christmas gifts or Mother’s Day gifts!
Men get dry skin, too. Make a manly scented version by trying some of the suggested essential oil combinations in this post.
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DIY Sugar Scrub Recipe
This is the perfect recipe for beauty DIY beginners. Fast, fun, and simple!
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Total Time5 minutes mins
Yield: 1.5 cups
Author: Katie Wells
Materials
- 1 cup granulated sugar (white or brown)
- ½ cup olive oil (or coconut oil)
- essential oils (optional)
Instructions
Combine all the ingredients and stir to combine.
Store in an airtight container, such as a wide-mouth mason jar.
Notes
To use:
In the shower, scrub your skin with 1 tablespoon of the mixture and rinse well. It will leave your skin feeling like silk. Goodbye dry skin!
Sound simple? It is!
Sugar Scrub Variations
Ready to mix it up? Change your sugar scrub to suit the season. All of these variations use simple ingredients found at most grocery stores.
- Pumpkin Pie Scrub: 1 cup of brown sugar, ½ cupcoconut oil, ½ tspvitamin E oil,and ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice (or just ½ tspcinnamon)
- VanillaBrown Sugar Scrub: 1 cup brown sugar, ½ cup almond oil, ½ tspvitamin E oiland 1 tspreal vanilla extract
- Lemon Sugar Scrub:Great hand scrub for after washing dishes! 1 cup white sugar, ½ cup olive oil, ½ tspvitamin E oil, 15-20 drops (or more) oflemon or orange essential oil
- Gentle Lavender Sugar Scrub for Face: 1 cup white sugar, ½ cup almond oil, ½ tspvitamin E oil, ½ tsp real vanilla extract, and 15 dropslavender essential oil. Or make this gentler oatmeal version.
- Vanilla Latte Sugar Scrub: Need I say more? Seriously… make sure you have coffee on hand to make a vanilla latte because it will have you craving the real thing. Find the recipe here.
- Sugar Cookie Lip Scrub: Better than lip balm, in my opinion, since it exfoliates and moisturizes in one step. Here’s the recipe.
- Mint Chocolate Lip Scrub: I also recently came up with this flavor that will leave you withdeliciously smooth lips. Get the recipe here.
- Homemade Foot Scrub with Magnesium: Perfect for pedicure season, this foot scrub is therapeutic as well with the addition of magnesium.
- Cumin Sugar Scrub for Face or Body: Not all sugar scrubs have to smell like dessert. This more exotic scrub is packed with antioxidants for glowing skin.
- Himalayan Salt Scrub: Salt is typically coarser than sugar and slower to dissolve, which makes this salt-based scrub recipe great for heavy-duty exfoliation. (If you have sensitive skin, stick to sugar scrubs.)
- Sugar Scrub Cubes: Make this cute and compact version of a scrub in single-use cubes. No mess and you can even make them colored with purifying French rose clay. Here’s how to make them.
- Chai Sugar Scrub: All the scents of your favorite chai latte in a luxurious moisturizing scrub! Here’s the recipe.
- Gingerbread Body Scrub: My favorite recipe to give at Christmas. Get the recipe here.
How to Store
These last on the counter for up to 2 months (or more). Take care that extra water doesn’t get into the scrub when you use it as it won’t last as long or work as well.
One warning: these smell good enough to eat! Actually, they are good enough to eat, but don’t… sugar is bad for your intestines!
This article was medically reviewed by Madiha Saeed, MD, a board certified family physician. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
Ever made your own sugar scrub or facial products? What is your favorite combination? Let me know below!
FAQs
Gentle Lavender Sugar Scrub for Face: 1 cup white sugar, ½ cup almond oil, ½ tsp vitamin E oil, ½ tsp real vanilla extract, and 15 drops lavender essential oil. Or make this gentler oatmeal version.
How do you make homemade body scrub for soft skin? ›
How to make it: Blend 1/4 cup of oats until fine. Mix with 2 tablespoons of almond meal, 1/2 cup of heavy cream, and 1 tablespoon of honey. This scrub is gentle enough for face and body. Leave on for three minutes, and then rinse with warm water.
Does sugar scrub smooth skin? ›
Smoother skin: By removing dead skin cells, a sugar scrub can leave your skin feeling smoother and softer. This can also make it easier to shave, as the razor will glide more easily over the skin. Hydration: Quality sugar scrubs are made with ingredients like almond or jojoba oils, which can help to hydrate the skin.
How do you make a high quality body scrub? ›
Instructions
- 1: In a bowl, mix together 1 cup coconut oil and 2 cups granulated sugar. Mix until a grainy paste forms. ...
- 2: Add 40-50 drops of your choice of essential oil. ...
- 3: Optional: Add 1 drop of food coloring to give it a little color.
- 4: Scoop contents into a Mason jar.
Regular granulated sugar, brown sugar or organic sugar all work well. Brown sugar is the finest and least abrasive, regular granulated is next and works just fine, and organic sugar is the coarsest. Pick the one you like or mix and match until you find your favorite combination.
What is the best sugar scrub to make? ›
Place 1/2 cup brown or granulated sugar and 1/4 cup of turbinado sugar in a small glass container and gradually mix in 1/4 cup of melted coconut oil. Stir in 1 tsp of vanilla or lime extract to give this body scrub an amazing smell along with a couple drops of vitamin E oil if desired.
Which scrub is best for soft skin? ›
Fresh Sugar Face Polish Exfoliator: This sugar scrub left our skin softer and, to our surprise, more hydrated.
How do you make homemade scrub for dull and dry skin? ›
Possibly as simple as it gets, this two ingredient scrub combines soothing oats with moisture-rich honey to gently revive dull, dry skin. (And because it's sooo simple, it's ideal for those with sensitive skin types.) Mix 2 tbsp finely ground oatmeal with 1 tbsp honey and 1tbsp warm water to form a thick paste.
How do you exfoliate soft skin? ›
If you use a scrub or chemical exfoliator, apply the product gently using small, circular motions. Do this for about 30 seconds, and then rinse off with lukewarm — not hot — water. If you use a brush or sponge, use short light strokes. Never exfoliate if you have open cuts or wounds or if your skin is sunburned.
What's the difference between sugar scrub and exfoliating scrub? ›
A sugar scrub is another type of exfoliator. Sugar scrubs are gentler on your skin and better for your face and other sensitive areas than salt scrubs. However, unrefined sugar scrubs are harsher, and you should only apply them to your body.
The process helps by getting rid of dead skin cells and cleaning your pores while reducing the appearance of acne, fine lines, and wrinkles.
Do you use sugar scrub on wet or dry skin? ›
A sugar scrub is a form of physical exfoliation that works by manually exfoliating the skin. Usually, you'd apply it in the shower on wet skin in circular motions to physically remove oil, dirt, and dead skin.
How do you make a hydrating scrub? ›
Hydrating Oat & Coconut Oil Scrub
Ingredients: 3/4 cup rolled oats, 2 tablespoons coconut oil, 2 tablespoons honey. Directions: Pulse the oats in the food processor to break them down. In a small bowl, mix in of coconut oil and honey. Let it sit, allowing the oats to absorb some of the oil and honey.
Is a salt scrub better than a sugar scrub? ›
Although sugar scrubs are highly effective at physical exfoliation, they do not provide any other cleansing benefits. Salt scrubs, on the other hand, do detoxify the skin as they scrub, which can be a huge benefit for people struggling with overactive oil glands on the body, for example.
What is the best homemade exfoliator? ›
There are many ways to exfoliate skin naturally. Coffee grounds, sugar, finely ground sea salt, cinnamon and oats are some of the best ingredients to use in a homemade exfoliating scrub, Roff says. She is a big fan of sugar face scrubs, as they can brighten dull skin and fight signs of aging.
Is sugar scrub a good business? ›
Sugar body scrub makes a great business and you can take advantage of this by being a seller of the product in your area. A wholesale purchase of sugar scrubs can help you get a big discount and have you earning more profit.
How much does it cost to make sugar scrub? ›
Cost to Make Homemade Sugar Scrub
Note: The cost including coconut oil (or other oil of choice) and essential oil will vary based on which brand/type of these oils you purchase. I estimate the total cost for my 16 jars with ALL ingredients would be approximately $35, or $2.19 per jar! Still a very inexpensive gift!
How to sell homemade sugar scrub? ›
The Best Way to Sell Sugar Scrubs Online
Run an Ecwid store on your own website, on popular social media platforms, or through marketplaces like Amazon or eBay. Open your very own Instant Site in just a few minutes or simply add a “Buy Now” button to your blog.
How long does a homemade sugar scrub last? ›
As long as you save your homemade body scrub in a well sealed container so no moisture or other environmental components can get in, then it can last up to six months. Be sure to add a label to the bottom with the date your scrub was made.
