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
Sara says
The 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
Yes, everything can be bought at the grocery store on the baking aisle.
Shirley says
good 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
The 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
What kind of coconut oil do you use? Fractionated coconut oil stays an oil instead of a solid. Can one use it instead?
shona says
I’ve just made some using baby oil, it was really soft.
Brandy says
I 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
Where do u find crushed lavender
Savanna says
I 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
I like to use the 4 ounce jelly jars when giving sugar scrubs as a gift.
Sandi says
Can 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
Dead sea salts are much too scratchy.
Katherine
Yolanda says
If 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.
Julia says
I 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.
marian says
Great 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
Marian, 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
I 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
I’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
Everyone’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
Latreasa says
I love the natural ingredients for the scrubs, but is there a way to retain a longer shelf life for the scrubs?
Evie Dawson says
Thanks 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
After a sugar scrub and shower I always clean shower after Ward as it tends to be very slippery otherwise FYI
Fia says
Hey Alea,
thanks for this lovely recipe.
Just made some and will try it out later tonight 🙂
Brandi says
I’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
I 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
Can 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
It would be better to use another oil like olive oil if you cannot use coconut oil.
Laurie says
Vseline 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.
Judee@ Gluten Free A-Z says
I’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
I 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.