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 own beauty 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 a natural skin care regime can 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.

4.07 from 48 votes

DIY Sugar Scrub Recipe

This is the perfect recipe for beauty DIY beginners. Fast, fun, and simple!

Prep Time5

Total Time5

Yield: cups

Author: Katie Wells

Equipment

Small, wide-mouth mason jar

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 cup coconut oil, ½ tsp vitamin E oil, and ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice (or just ½ tsp cinnamon)
Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub: 1 cup brown sugar, ½ cup almond oil, ½ tsp vitamin E oil and 1 tsp real vanilla extract
Lemon Sugar Scrub: Great hand scrub for after washing dishes! 1 cup white sugar, ½ cup olive oil, ½ tsp vitamin E oil, 15-20 drops (or more) of lemon or orange essential oil
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.
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 with deliciously 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!

This easy sugar scrub recipe is natural and chemical free. It naturally removes dead skin and leaves skin glowing and healthy.

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

476 responses to “Luxurious Sugar Scrub Recipe for Silky Smooth Skin”

Tia

April 29, 2015

I want to make the pumpkin pie scrub and was wondering if it would work without the vitamin E oil.

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  April 29, 2015
  
  It should, just don’t make too much. The E acts as a preservative, and it won’t stay fresh as long without it.
  
  Reply
  1. Lindsay
    
    April 30, 2015
    
    It should be noted, and this is with all due respect, that Vitamin E is most definitely NOT a preservative and products will still go bad even with it. It’s an antioxidant and can simply help it go longer, but shouldn’t be confused with preservatives. Just tryin to keep it clear! Hope that’s ok 🙂
    
    Reply
    1. Julie
      
      May 7, 2015
      
      You are correct Lindsay. Vitamin E is not a perservative, it keeps the oils and butters from going rancid as fast. I only us T-50 all natural E. Why, because the E you take internally can cause many people to break out, get a rash,etc. the T-50 does not do that because it has no man made chemicals in it. It is derived from plants.
      
      Reply
Angel

April 2, 2015

I have been using Cold Pressed, Organic, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (it’s not as expensive as it sounds, but it’s SO worth it!), Raw, local honey (It’s hard to not eat the product at this point!), and typically brown sugar for the scrubbing power! Amazing for the face…and the taste buds!
Every couple of days, I substitute the brown sugar with baking soda for what feels like a mini microdermabrasion! My skin has never been so soft (and NOT oily)! My husband even started using it, and loves it! I just use the coconut oil by its self every day for my whole body, and I use it for shaving (though it does gunk up the blade, so you have to rinse it every swipe…that’s why I’m getting a lower body waxing tomorrow!)

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Lindsay

March 23, 2015

Hi! I’ve recently read that it’s a really good idea to use a preservative when using any homemade product that might get mixed with water, like something to be used in the shower, or you get bacteria growth, even if you don’t see it. I was just wondering what you’d recommend– I’ve looked into lots and don’t really know where to start!
Thanks 🙂

Reply
1. Lindsay
  
  April 30, 2015
  
  Hey guys 🙂 Still wondering if anyone has any experience with preservatives. Katie, I’d love your guidance on this, as I don’t know where to begin! Thanks 🙂
  
  Reply
  1. Janet
    
    July 11, 2015
    
    I came across this
    
    Borax acts as an emulsifier, natural preservative and buffering agent for moisturizers, scrubs, and bath salts. Borax is a natural mineral which is widely used in the cosmetic industry.
    
    I have also added a small amount of sea salt as salt is used to preserve foods.
    
    Reply
Victoria

March 1, 2015

This was my first time using a sugar scrub. It was amazing! I’m definitely doing This again

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Claudia

February 16, 2015

This scrub looks amazing!!! I wonder if its even necessary to use body wash if using this scrub in all of your body?

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Debbie

February 3, 2015

I made this for Christmas gifts & every one loves it! Since my house is so chilly, it gets rock hard. I put my little jar in a hot water bath for 30 minutes or so. It gets to relax, to help me relax! LOL

My question is, can I use the fragrance oils they sell for the candle warmer things? There are some wonderful scents & way cheaper then the EO. I used lemon & orange EO for my batch & the smell seems to have faded. 🙁

Reply
1. sara
  
  February 7, 2015
  
  Please never use the fragrance oils that are used as room scenters or for candle making. These are different to the perfume oils for the body, or essential oils for the body. The room scenters are not as pure as they should be.
  
  Reply
  1. Debbie
    
    February 7, 2015
    
    Thank you so much for answering! I will def scratch the fragrance oils! Darn. I had a wonderful one picked out, but will have to go another route.
    
    Reply
  2. Shen
    
    February 17, 2015
    
    I totally agree. Not only are they not pure enough, a lot of times they have chemicals added to them. The oils you want to use are the pure essential oils that are used for body massages. If you combine vanilla with raspberry or vanilla with lavender or jasmine with vanilla or lavender you will get some heavenly scents that last and last. What I do is lather up first, then use the scrubs and when they rinse out they leave my skin smooth as a baby’s bot and I get told how soft and lovely my skin in. Takes away the need for extra body lotion and the scent lasts all day, no need to touch up.
    
    I also use a cupful of bleach in the shower drain every other day or every day even before I go to sleep to drain away any oils that gunk up the drains. It works a treat and have never had a blockage at all. Hope this helps.
    
    Reply
    1. Lindsay
      
      March 23, 2015
      
      Have you ever come across anything that works as well as bleach for the shower after using this, but isn’t so chemical-y? It’s just not something we keep in our home and I thought someone on here might have a good alternative!
      
      Reply
      1. Shen
        
        March 23, 2015
        
        Hi Lindsay,
        
        I also use soda crystals, which are really good for dissolving the plain grease that forms a scum like substances in and around the drains. Pour a cupful and then just pour one kettle-full of boiling water. Always works as well as the bleach, but I am lazy so just pour the bleach and leave it, but this is better and perhaps having pointed this out I will make a more concerted effort to use the crystals. We also have a brand of dishwashing liquid in the UK called Fairy Liquid and I find a small squirt (when I run out of bleach) followed by some boiling water works wonders and everything clears up.
        
        I did try two tablespoons of Bicarbonate of Soda aka baking soda (not to be confused with baking power which is altogether different and sets things rather than disperses), and found that works very well with kitchen sink drains as well as shower drains.
        
        I hope the above helps.
        
        xx
Audrey

January 28, 2015

Made the original recipe for the sugar scrub and added lavender essential oils. Works like a champ. Great recipe!

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Neeser

January 17, 2015

I make a facial sugar scrub using plain yogurt and white sugar. I use about 2 tablespoons of sugar and a table spoon of plain yogurt. Mix them and apply. I let it dry before rinsing it off. I don’t store the remainder. I make it fresh each time it’s to be used. Some, I’ve shared this recipe with, find it too much of a hassle to make fresh each time, but it works for me. 😀

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Lisa

January 15, 2015

I’d like to make up a batch, but hesitate because of a similar recipe I made for a lip scrub . I used sugar, sweet almond oil and a few drops of peppermint EO. They turned out wonderfully … at first. Now, after sitting for a few of weeks they’ve become hard as rocks. Does anyone know why this might have happened? Any and all advice is appreciated. (All the small pots/containers were sterilized before filling and have been tightly-capped and stored in a dark cupboard at room temperature, by the way) Thank you in advance for any advice or suggestions 🙂

Reply
Hope

January 14, 2015

My sugar scrub seems to consolidate in the shower. Is it possible that my bathroom is too cold? I live on the basement level of a house. Once it consolidates and melts again, there is no more sugar just oil. Any tips?

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Helene

January 12, 2015

What a wonderful site thank you.
On Dr. Oz I saw a recipe for deodorant, 5 Tea spn coconut oil,4 Tbl spn. bakin powder 3 Tbls spn
corn starch. I used it for 2 months it was very good Now I have a terrible rash, burning etc…
Would you suggest someting else?

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Linda

January 3, 2015

What a wonderful site! Can’t wait to try my first scrub!

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Terri

December 30, 2014

Am excited to try this but developed a rash when I tried your deodorant recipe. Would adding tea tree oil act as an antibacterial agent to hopefully prevent this?

Reply
1. Katie – Wellness Mama
  
  January 2, 2015
  
  Yes, but the reaction was probably due to the baking soda. If you make it again, just avoid the baking soda.
  
  Reply
Ashley Pierce

December 18, 2014

Can you use food grade and perfume grade essential oils?

Reply
1. sara
  
  February 7, 2015
  
  Yep you can. I make a few scrubs and use strawberry extract, raspberry extract and so on, along with food colourings. I also tend to use perfume oils that are pure and mixed from essential oils to get a combination. I find a tiny drop of lavender and raspberry or lavender and vanilla pure essential oils absolutely gorgeous smelling and add it to the sugar and sunflower oil (which I find does not leave too much residue in the shower). I also tend to add drops of the chanel body oil which is a copy made from essential oils and it really lasts and the shower smells heavenly and of course no perfume needed as even a drop of those oils in a small jar is very aromatic. I also tend to use cinnamon powder in my scrubs. I always use sugar never salt as I find it very drying. I hope this helps, as I have very sensitive skin but find the pure essential drops in minute quantities wonderful and the aroma is really something else.
  
  Reply
Lauren

December 17, 2014

I made a homemade sugar scrub and the coconut oil hardened and in turn the scrub is really hard. Is there anything I can do?

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  December 23, 2014
  
  You can gently warm the scrub to melt the coconut oil. Try maybe immersing the scrub container in a bath of warm water.
  
  Reply
2. Wendy
  
  December 23, 2014
  
  If you whip it with a mixer or a wisk, it will fluff it and make it soft, without melting the sugar. It generally will stay soft, or at least softer than if it’s not whipped.
  
  Reply
Madelyn

December 14, 2014

Love it! I added some honey and green food coloring so it came out a pretty mint green! Thanks for this lovely recipe!

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Ann Pliskat

December 12, 2014

I just made 3 sugar scrubs (2 lavender and 1 Raspberry) last weekend with coconut oil (same recipe as above), but I noticed that it all hardened due to the coconut oil doing this naturally is there something else I can add so it doesn’t do that or thoughts of how to use it once it hardens? I like the coconut oil because of all the benefits it has.

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Kimberley

December 11, 2014

Hello everyone,

Just want to know how to make the scrubs/lotions last longer? Does vit e oil work and if so how long does it actually make the product last?

Thanks.

Reply
Jeanie

December 11, 2014

When you use coconut oil, do you liquefy before mixing as it is solid at room temp?

Reply
1. Katie – Wellness Mama
  
  December 14, 2014
  
  yes
  
  Reply
  1. Wendy
    
    December 14, 2014
    
    You might consider whipping the solid coconut oil and then adding the sugar and other ingredients. Whipping makes it fluffy and easier to use, and then the sugar won’t settle to the bottom of the jar.
    
    Reply
Catherine

December 10, 2014

I have made scrubs for gifts for the last 3 years…Kerr makes really cute little 4 ounce jars that have the look of cut glass…they are the perfect size for gift giving…I use coconut, sunflower or olive oil in mine…everyone loves them

Reply