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”

maria

March 27, 2016

I made and sold your recipe and the scrubs came out great, but one customer told me they found mold in one after a years time. I guess it is because water fell in them? Also, I used the brown sugar which is combined with molasse. Do you think it was because of that? thank you!

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  March 27, 2016
  
  My recipes are designed and created for personal use only, not for others to profit off of my hard work, so I can’t help you.
  
  Reply
2. Wellness Mama
  
  March 27, 2016
  
  My recipes are designed and created for personal use only, not for commercial sale, as there are standards how these type of products can be sold and preserved which are different than for personal consumption. Since they’re not designed for commercial use or authorized for by me, I can’t help you.
  
  Reply
3. Julie
  
  March 27, 2016
  
  they still had the scrub after a year!!!! I would say they were lucky no mold was in it sooner if they were using it around water and the oil would have about a year self life.
  
  Reply
sarah

March 14, 2016

i am making an sugar body scrubs my first time making them and i was wondering on when i should make them and how long it last for?

Reply
Pamela Walk

February 21, 2016

Do you use the sugar scrub alone, or do you use a body wash first and then the sugar scrub?

Reply
Julie

February 18, 2016

https://facenaturals.com/blogs/news/natural-vitamin-e-vs-synthetic-vitamin-e

A study conducted in 1991 found evidence that synthetic vitamins may have some blame for the eruption of contact dermatitis we have seen over the past several years, as it can induce this condition with increased skin sensitivity and irritation. It also enhances the effects of sun damage, and some animal studies show links to the development of tumors. Rated as a moderate hazard by EWG, some evidence even suggests that it may generate carcinogenic activity and toxicity.

It has potential as a human skin toxicant, and some experiments on mammal tissue cells show results with definite and known cell mutation after coming into contact with the substance. As a skin sensitizer, some symptoms to look out for include itching, scaling, burning, hives, and blistering. When considering organ tissues, watch out for the liver, blood, and brain. Synthetic vitamin E is also linked to mutated liver tissue cells, blood clotting, and hemorrhagic stroke.

Reply
Sylvia

February 18, 2016

Where the recipe calls for Vitamin E, can you go without?

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  February 18, 2016
  
  Yes. It’s a mild natural preservative and is good for the skin which is why I use it.
  
  Reply
  1. Amanda
    
    February 18, 2016
    
    Sorry but I have to disagree on this. Vitamin E is NOT a preservative in any form. It IS however a great antioxidant that helps to slow down oxidation in recipes that contain oils and butters but only helps with anhydrous products, NOT recipes that contain water ingredients (aloe Vera, hydrosols, distilled water). To have a safe product that will not grow mold, fungus or bacteria you need a full spectrum preservative ( example- Optiphen Plus my favorite) especially if a product is kept near humidity like a shower or bathroom in general. Just thought the readers should know. I do Love your blog!
    
    Reply
    1. Julie
      
      February 18, 2016
      
      You are correct! However if you are making products without water then it does extend shelf life it does not kill anything. Good call and misuse of words.
      
      Reply
2. Julie
  
  February 18, 2016
  
  No you do to need it. Most people use it as a shelf life extender. HOWEVER you do not use the Vitamin E in the capsules. It is not natural it is chemically made. You only use T-50 Vitamin E oil. you can order it online.
  
  Reply
Robby

February 9, 2016

I made mine with white sugar and vegetable oil, because I’ve never done any kind of home-made beauty supplies before (and I’ve also never used a sugar scrub before) and it’s what we had on hand in the house. I also added about a teaspoon of vanilla.
The oily feeling while rinsing off is strange, but after a thorough rinsing and drying I really like the smoothness. I just wish I could reach my back better.
Should the oil tend to want to pool on top of the mixture? Seems like I’m going to have to stir it every time I go to use it.
Also, is it gentle enough for the face/other sensitive regions?
(for reference, I’m an 18 yrs old male)

Reply
1. Julie
  
  February 18, 2016
  
  The weird oil feeling is from the cooking oil. It is not good for your skin it clogs pores.
  
  Reply
Katie

February 2, 2016

I’d like to make the vanilla brown sugar scrub listed above. I was wondering, if I use your recipe exactly, how much this will make?

Reply
Jessica

January 24, 2016

Whoever commented about not using sugar scrub on your face is wrong. Sugar scrub on your face is wonderful! Perhaps you scrubbed to hard if you tried this, but it truly is perfect to use on your face. Makes your skin soft and gives it a nice glow!

Reply
Becky

January 15, 2016

I just made one following the facial scrub recipe, but substituted orange for the lavender. I kept the vanilla. I have actually never been tempted to eat something for my face until this moment, but it smells HEAVENLY! I’ve made the lavender vanilla before, but much prefer the scent of this one. I think I’ll add in a bit of raw honey exit time, as well. I did add a bit of extra sugar to get the consistency where it.

Reply
Kassiopeia

January 12, 2016

I used a few drops of peppermint essential oil in the basic sugar scrub recipe, and it worked really well! I made it a little strong, though, so I tried adding more sugar/oil to make the scent a little less strong. Sugar scrub is one of the things I love using in the winter, because it helps with my dry skin so much.

Reply
Nat

December 21, 2015

How long do these scrubs last? I’m gifting it to my mom and it’s only a few days until Christmas. I don’t want it to be moldy or stale by the time she opens it!

Reply
Marilyn

December 13, 2015

So glad I came across your site. Fabulous recipes!!! I am just beginning to making my own face and body creams (1 part raw shea butter-1 part organic refined expeller pressed coconut oil (expreller pressed eliminates the coconut smell and taste, 8-10 drops of pure grade Frankincense, Lavendar, or Sandalwood EO and sugar scrubs (brown or white sugar/olive oil/8-10 drops of essential oil or oils). I use four ounce glass mason jars to store my homemade creams and scrubs (purchased via Amazon). I also made a gentle facial exfoliater using baking soda and coconut oil. Have not tried using raw honey on my face, but I will!

I get my organic coconut oil from Tropical Traditions and use Young Living Essential Oils. Rose Hill is also a great place to purchase quality essential oils and other ingredients! I get my raw shea butter and cocoa butter from Amazon and beeswax from a local beekeeper. Keep the recipes and suggestions coming. I am bookmarking and sharing this site!!

Reply
Julie

November 30, 2015

Did you use lemon juice or lemon EO? I put lemon EO in my body butters and it works well on age spots on my hands.

Julie

Reply
doro

November 30, 2015

Thanks for your site love all the information,need your help on how to get rid of sunspots on face try lemon coconut oil ,diden work for me…

Reply
1. Julie
  
  February 18, 2016
  
  I make a body butter that helps with that. I put a small amount of Lemon EO in it. It has Shea, Mango Argan, T-50 E, Almond, Avocado, and a botanical powder mix in it. It has faded the liver spots on my hands.
  
  Reply
Mary

November 22, 2015

Just wandering if I made the lavender and vanilla facial scrub could I use it for face as well as body or is it better to make a seperate batch of the first sugar scrub recipe for body?

Reply
1. Becky
  
  January 15, 2016
  
  You can use it on your body as well. Unless it’s a hand scrub, I usually use almond oil instead of coconut oil because I am breakout prone, and I’ve found the coconut oil clogs my pores. Good luck!
  
  Reply
kate

November 21, 2015

I think it may be best to leave out the coconut oil in this scrub, as I have heard that it can plug up the plumbing, which makes sense, as it gets cold down there, and then the oil hardens up…..Also, I use 1 cup
of organic sugar, and about 3 or 4 T. of olive oil, and some fresh thyme leaves, about 1 T…..they are so nice
in this…..and some lemon, lavender, and rosemary essential oils.

Reply
Mary

October 22, 2015

I want to do this for some Christmas gifts this year…however, the little voice in my overactive, health nut mind of mine is “what you put on your body, you put in your body”. Does anyone have info, or prior knowledge of using sugar scrubs and the influence of our immune systems, liver, etc??? Is the sugar going to influence topically as it would internally?

Reply
Faith

September 28, 2015

Hi guyz… am just wondering. I recently made a green tea scrub with a little bit of lemon in it. Is it safe to use it every day on my face and body?

Reply
Andrea

September 16, 2015

For all those who use this scrub on the face: How often do you use it and how much of it?
I am overall happy with the way my face looks now, but would like to improve of course!
Thanks in advance!

Reply
M.Webster

September 13, 2015

What kind of brown sugar do you use? Soft light brown? Soft dark? Or something coarser like Demerara?

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  September 13, 2015
  
  I guess that is really up to personal preference. I use whatever is on sale when I want to make it, honestly. If I know, for example, that I am making a batch for a friend who uses it on her face I might choose a more finely ground sugar.
  
  Reply