Have you ever wondered how to make sugar scrubs at home? You will be pleasantly surprised to find how easy it is to make sugar scrub using pantry staples! All you need to make a homemade sugar scrub is sugar and oil! Adding a scent is completely optional. Choose a sugar scrub recipe below to easily create a sugar scrub for your face, hands, feet, or body.
I live in the high desert where the dry climate leads to very dry skin. I like using sugar scrubs to help exfoliate my skin. I combine the sugar with an oil that will moisturize my skin. I create exfoliating sugar scrubs for my face, body, and hands and feet.
I alter the type of sugar I use based on what type of scrub I am creating. I use white sugar for facial scrubs, brown sugar which is a little coarser for body scrubs, and raw sugar which is the coarsest sugar for hand and foot scrubs.
You can use a variety of oils in your sugar scrubs. My favorite oils to use are coconut oil, olive oil, almond oil, and grapeseed oil. I have also used avocado oil when I was out of the other oils.
The scrubs will keep for 2 – 3 months in a sealed container at room temperature. I use glass jars, porcelain containers, and old china sugar bowls. You can find inexpensive sealed containers at World Market, Target, Walmart, and thrift stores. Sugar scrubs also make great gifts. Just add a label to the top of a Mason Jar and a ribbon and you have a lovely gift.
How to Make Sugar Scrubs
Basic Sugar Scrub Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 3 parts sugar – white, brown, or raw
- 1 part oil – coconut oil, olive oil, almond oil, or grapeseed oil
- Optional add-ins: Vitamin E oil, honey, essential oils, vanilla, and/or spices
Directions:
Combine the ingredients in a bowl. Stir until thoroughly combined. Store in a sealed container for up to 2 months. To use, apply sugar scrub to wet skin. Massage the scrub into the skin and then rinse with water.
Below you will find recipes showing you how to make sugar scrubs for your face, hands, feet, and body.
6 Sugar Scrub Recipes
Choose a sugar scrub recipe below that meets your needs.
Homemade Sugar Face Scrub Recipes
These DIY sugar face scrub recipes use white sugar, honey, coconut oil, and vitamin E oil to create a gentle sugar exfoliator that also moisturizes your face.
The Lavender Sugar Face Scrub recipe below uses lavender essential oil. If you do not care for the lavender scent, simply leave it out.
Lavender Sugar Face Scrub Recipe
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon Vitamin E oil
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
Instructions
- Add the sugar, coconut oil, honey, Vitamin E Oil, and Lavender Essential Oil to a small bowl.
- Stir until the ingredients thoroughly combined.
- Store in a sealed container for up to 2 months.
Notes
You will probably be able to find most of the ingredients to make the Vanilla Honey DIY Sugar Face Scrub in your pantry.
Vanilla Honey DIY Sugar Face Scrub Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Vitamin E oil
- 1/2 teaspoon real vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add the white sugar, honey, coconut oil, Vitamin E oil, and vanilla extract to a small bowl.
- Stir until the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Store in a sealed container for up to 2 months.
Notes
Homemade Sugar Body Scrub Recipes
These DIY brown sugar body scrub recipes are a little coarser to help remove dry skin while nourishing your skin.
The Brown Sugar Body Scrub Recipe uses almond oil. If you don't have almond oil on hand, substitute olive oil.
Brown Sugar Body Scrub
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup almond oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Vitamin E oil
- 1 teaspoon real vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add the brown sugar, almond oil, Vitamin E oil, and vanilla extract to a bowl.
- Stir the ingredients until thoroughly combined.
- Store in a sealed container for up to 2 months.
Notes
The Cinnamon Brown Sugar Body Scrub Recipe only calls for 4 ingredients.
Cinnamon Brown Sugar Body Scrub Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Vitamin E oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Combine the brown sugar, olive oil, Vitamin E oil, and ground cinnamon in a bowl.
- Stir the ingredients until thoroughly combined.
- Store the sugar scrub a sealed container for up to 2 months.
Notes
Homemade Sugar Hand and Foot Scrub Recipes
These DIY sugar hand and foot scrub recipes use raw sugar to providing maximum exfoliation to the rough and dry skin on your feet and hands.
The Lemon Hand and Foot Sugar Scrub Recipe includes lemon essential oil, so use caution when going in the sun after using it as lemon essential oil can cause your skin to be sensitive to the sun and increase your chances of getting a sunburn.
Lemon Hand and Foot Sugar Scrub Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw sugar
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 15 drops lemon essential oil
Instructions
- Combine the raw sugar, olive oil, and lemon essential oil in a bowl.
- Stir the ingredients until thoroughly combined.
- Store in a sealed container for up to 2 months.
Notes
This Peppermint Sugar Foot Scrub Recipe has an invigorating scent perfect for putting a little pep in your step!
Peppermint Sugar Foot Scrub Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw sugar
- 1/3 cup grapeseed oil
- 15 drops peppermint essential oil
Instructions
- Add the raw sugar, grapeseed oil, and peppermint essential oil in a small bowl.
- Stir the ingredients until thoroughly combined.
- Store in a sealed container for up to 2 months.
Notes
More Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipes
Harvest Spice Latte Sugar Scrub
Lemon and Rosemary Gardener's Hand Scrub
Homemade Citrus and Herb Sugar Scrub Bars
More DIY Beauty Product Recipes
How to Make Your Own Facial Cleansers and Masks
How to Make Your Own Body Lotion
Judee@ Gluten Free A-Z says
September 21, 2013 at 5:38 amI’ve tried to make my own with white sugar and wasn’t thrilled. I’ll dry the coarser sugar which is probably more like what I buy in the stores.. thanks for all the great tips.
Alea Milham says
September 21, 2013 at 9:19 amI only use white sugar on my face as it is less abrasive. I use the coarser brown sugar for my body and the very coarse raw sugar on my feet and hands.
Brandi says
November 4, 2013 at 10:02 amI’m thinking of doing the cinnamon brown sugar body scrub for Christmas gifts. Does the olive oil effect the smell? And is it plain olive oil or extra virgin oil?
Alea Milham says
November 4, 2013 at 10:09 amI use extra virgin olive oil. I think the cinnamon masks the scent of the olive oil, but you can use a milder oil if you wish. You can also make a very small batch, keeping the ratios the same, to see what you think.
Leena says
June 5, 2016 at 8:19 amCan we put Vaseline instead of coconut oil for the scrub because in my country they don’t sell coconut oil thank you
Alea Milham says
June 5, 2016 at 2:39 pmIt would be better to use another oil like olive oil if you cannot use coconut oil.
Laurie says
June 22, 2016 at 1:04 pmVseline os not a natural oil. Check your health stores or buy on line. Unrefined unprocessed extra virgin coconut oil. . This is the best carrier oil for your body.
Fia says
January 7, 2014 at 10:31 amHey Alea,
thanks for this lovely recipe.
Just made some and will try it out later tonight 🙂
Evie Dawson says
January 12, 2014 at 2:25 amThanks for the recipes! I tries sugar scrub with coconut oil this week. Remember never use on your feet in the shower because the coconut oil is slippery and you risk falling.
Cheers.
Delana says
May 31, 2019 at 7:21 pmAfter a sugar scrub and shower I always clean shower after Ward as it tends to be very slippery otherwise FYI
Latreasa says
January 17, 2014 at 8:22 amI love the natural ingredients for the scrubs, but is there a way to retain a longer shelf life for the scrubs?
marian says
January 17, 2014 at 11:35 pmGreat tips and I agree with all your recipes except for the facial scrub. You should not use coconut oil on your face because its comedogenic (pore clogging). Coconut oil works wonders as a body moisturizer though; I’ve used it in place of lotion for years. Thanks for the recipes!
Bonnie says
January 23, 2015 at 7:09 pmMarian, I am sorry but I must disagree with your statement about coconut oil. I use it twice daily to clean/remove my makeup. I put coconut oil on, take a hot, wet, wash cloth and place it over my face. The warmth opens my pores. My skin is left clean, soft, and moisturized but NOT oily. It is amazing. I have NEVER had a problem with clogged pores and in fact, it has helped my acne almost completely disappear.
Katherine says
February 7, 2016 at 8:48 amI agree Marian. I am studying aromatherapy and herbal medicine and my face absolutely loves coconut oil with no problems.
Also have found it a great resource for vaginal dryness due to hormonal changes!
Katherine
Enchanted Wood Wytchery
Katie says
November 9, 2016 at 2:35 pmI’ve been using coconut oil on my face for years as well as frankincense oil and it’s kept my skin healthy and great I fact I get many compliments that I don’t look my age and what great skin I have . Love your ideas by the way they are all fantastic!! Great job !
Toni says
May 11, 2017 at 7:19 amEveryone’s skin is different I personally can’t use coconut oil on my face either it leaves a waxy film and causes me to break out
Julia says
June 26, 2014 at 3:03 pmI can’t wait to try out your scrub recipes! I have to say, I’ve been using coconut oil on my face for about 2 years now & I rarely, if ever, get breakouts!! That being said, I live in a very dry climate so maybe that keeps my pores from clogging? Not sure, but it’s done wonders for my skin– I’m almost 30 & my skin looks better now than when I was 20 after using coconut oil.
Sandi says
July 3, 2014 at 11:17 amCan course or fine Dead Sea Salt be substuted for the different kinds of sugars? I have so much of it and want to make body scrubs with the salts! I like the exfoliating salt scrubs much better than soaking in it in the bath tub & thought they might make great body scrubs. Thank you for taking the time to read my question.
Katherine says
February 7, 2016 at 8:49 amDead sea salts are much too scratchy.
Katherine
Yolanda says
September 11, 2017 at 6:04 amIf you grind the salt in a food processor or with a mortar and pestle, the salt works well as a body scrub. It works wonders for your feet. I wouldn’t use it for my face though.
Savanna says
November 19, 2014 at 7:03 amI was just curious , with these recipes how full do they make a Mason or Ball jar ? Does one fill up the jar ?
Alea Milham says
November 19, 2014 at 7:51 amI like to use the 4 ounce jelly jars when giving sugar scrubs as a gift.
Brandy says
December 16, 2014 at 1:22 pmI just made two batches of these, one of the lavender with honey and coconut oil and one with the vanilla and coconut oil, adding vitamin E oil to both. I tried the lavender and at first was a bit concerned with how oily it was – it seems to be pooling in the bottom of the jar and feels very greasy while using it. But after, there is certainly a softness to the skin ( I made these with regular sugar and used on my face). I wonder if this is typical? Is it supposed to be that oily? I admit I’ve not used a sugar scrub before, so I don’t have much to compare it to. Overall, I’m happy with these and thanks for sharing the recipes! With the lavender one, I added some crushed lavender to the mix to make it pretty. And it is! Planning to give these as gifts as well.
Delana LaHue says
May 31, 2019 at 7:23 pmWhere do u find crushed lavender
Shirley says
December 18, 2014 at 3:50 amgood morning and thank you for these recipes. I tried the coconut oil but I’m concerned because it gets very hard and can’t be scooped with the fingers. What can I use to stop it from getting this hard? Should I mix another oil into it?
Alea Milham says
December 18, 2014 at 7:43 amThe hard/softness of the coconut oil varies greatly through out the year. During the summer you can scoop it with your fingers easily, but when it becomes colder it becomes harder. You can mix another oil into the coconut oil scrub during the winter to make it softer.
Carolyn says
April 8, 2015 at 7:30 pmWhat kind of coconut oil do you use? Fractionated coconut oil stays an oil instead of a solid. Can one use it instead?
shona says
January 26, 2016 at 1:31 pmI’ve just made some using baby oil, it was really soft.
Sara says
February 7, 2015 at 5:39 amThe sugar you use, is it just like table sugar? The oils that are used, are those the same as in the baking aisle? I just want to know where to buy the ingredients if they’re not at the grocery store.
Alea Milham says
February 7, 2015 at 3:51 pmYes, everything can be bought at the grocery store on the baking aisle.
Richard says
February 24, 2015 at 3:08 pmHi, thanks for sharing your ideas. I’ve tried my own cinnamon and vanilla scrub and used olive oil. The only thing is I found it really oily to use and greasy. Is this normal? Would you recommend an alternative?
Patricia says
November 3, 2015 at 9:26 pmHi thanks for sharing your recipes! I just made several different kinds and I too am concerned about how oily they are.
I didn’t see a response if this is normai or not.
I really hope to know before I give them as gifts
Thanks again!
Alea Milham says
November 3, 2015 at 11:10 pmThey are usually fairly oily. You can add more sugar if you want a more solid scrub, but it isn’t necessary.
Ruby says
February 24, 2016 at 12:19 amMy skin is getting crepe like & sensitve as I approach 60’s. I need to exfoliate as my skinnis also very dry living in the desert southwest.
I need a ‘gentle’ scrub to exfoliate off the old dead skin cells and asking what would you recommend?
Ive stopped using soap as it robs us of natural oils and I use coconut oil as a full body moisturizer . But it doesn’t last long because of the natural sloughing of our skin.
Help.
Alea Milham says
February 24, 2016 at 4:29 pmI use coconut oil as a daily moisturizer. If you want to try a scrub, I would recommend trying a super fine sugar rather than a course sugar.
Lori says
March 23, 2016 at 5:31 pmI want to make sugar scrubs for a bridal shower. For the first batch I used sugar and coconut oil, after a week it was very hard would you recommend adding second oil to this recipe and if so what would you recommend. Thank you.
Alea Milham says
March 24, 2016 at 1:55 pmCoconut softens when the room temperature warms up. So it will be hard if stored in a cold location.
Cheri says
April 4, 2016 at 12:06 pmI was wondering why you used different oils in the different scrubs? I have always heard coconut was the best. Just wondering. Thanks
Debbie says
April 24, 2016 at 7:47 amI am also interested to know if fractionated coconut oil can be used. I didn’t not see a response to the previous question. Forgive me if I missed it.
Alea Milham says
April 24, 2016 at 7:56 pmYes, it can be used.
Heather says
September 19, 2016 at 5:34 pmI’ll have to try these sugar scrub recipes sometime! Great post.
Nishi Patel says
November 17, 2016 at 6:44 amHello,
I don’t know what is wrong but every Scrub I have made they leave skin greasy and I don’t think anyone would like that like my husband won’t even touch it.
Can you please give me suggestion on what I can add to reduce the oiliness ?
I will appreciate your help.
Thank you
Nishi
Kristin says
December 13, 2016 at 4:17 pmWhen you say “oil”, should I use a liquid oil or a solid oil? The picture showed a solid coconut oil, but olive oil is a liquid. Does it matter and what is the difference between the solid vs. the liquid? Thank you
Alea Milham says
December 13, 2016 at 6:19 pmYou can use whichever you prefer. I prefer to use coconut oil which is quite solid, my daughter prefers olive oil which is liquid.
Gayle says
December 23, 2016 at 2:27 amThank you Alea for these recipes! I’ve been wanting to do something like this for Christmas presents. I made my first batch of the Lemon Hand and Foot Scrub, last night, and it is delicious! So good that I had to make another batch. My first batch I doubled the recipe, thinking it would be enough for the 8 tiny mason jars I found but that was only enough for 3 of the jars. In the second batch, I tripled the recipe hoping it will be enough to fill the other 5 mason jars 🙂 Oh I also altered the recipe a bit . I made the 3/4 cup coconut oil and added 1/4 cup olive oil as well. I used to citrus scents. Both lemons but one is a blend, all essential oils. The smell is amazing and a dash of yellow food colouring.
Bethsheba Yahudah says
June 6, 2018 at 11:04 amDid the olive oil keep the coconut oil from becoming solid?
Grace Delgado says
November 15, 2017 at 11:47 amHello, I was just wondering where did you find the glass jar in the picture? I have been making some homemade scrubs and I wanted to give them for Xmas this year but can’t find a good jar. Can you give me the information regarding that jar?
Alea Milham says
November 15, 2017 at 8:04 pmI found that jar at World Market.
Erika says
December 11, 2017 at 12:39 pmHi! Would a glass jar with a cork for a lid work? Or does it have to have a rubber seal? Thank you!
Erika
Alea Milham says
December 11, 2017 at 1:46 pmYes, that should work just fine.
Thelma says
December 17, 2017 at 6:08 amHI, I am just learning about all these wonderful sugar scrubs! The cocoanut oil that I have is refined and solid. Is this ok to use and do you melt the cocoanut oil before adding the sugar?
Alea Milham says
December 17, 2017 at 1:42 pmYou can melt the coconut oil before adding the sugar if needed.