The Best DIY Sugar Scrub Recipes For Glowing Skin and Gift Giving

Learn how to make the best sugar scrub recipes for glowing skin! Included are 6 easy and natural recipes for lavender, rose, lemon, vanilla, mint and coffee sugar scrub. The skincare tutorial comes with tips for using and storing homemade body scrub, plus free printable sugar scrub labels for gift giving.

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Homemade  body scrub for glowing skin

I’m so excited to share this post with you! Homemade body scrubs are my thing. I absolutely love creating fun sugar scrub recipes and play with different scent and colour combos. And today, I have not 1, but 6 different exfoliating scrubs for you!

Each recipe is made with natural ingredients and doesn’t take longer than 5 minutes! What I love most about making DIY sugar scrubs is that you know exactly what’s in your homemade body scrub. Creating sugar scrubs at home also allows you to customise the recipes to your skincare needs and preferences.

Sugar scrub benefits

What does a sugar scrub do for your skin? Let’s talk about sugar scrub benefits for a moment! The main purpose of a sugar scrub is to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells, revealing new skin. My homemade body scrub recipes are easy to spread on and will leave your skin cleansed, exfoliated, soft and moisturised.

The best sugar scrub recipes for beautiful, glowing skin

In this post you’ll learn 6 different sugar scrub recipes for:

• soothing lavender sugar scrub
• elegant rose sugar scrub
• brightening lemon sugar scrub
• comforting vanilla sugar scrub
• refreshing mint sugar scrub
• revitalizing coffee sugar scrub

In this post, I’m focusing on different sugar scrub recipes and their skincare benefits. To learn more about formulating spa-style sugar scrubs for body, including tips for choosing the best sugar, carrier oils, and other ingredients, check out my beginner’s guide to DIY sugar scrubs.

Materials and supplies for the sugar scrub recipes

Let’s take a peek at the ingredients for our homemade sugar scrub recipes:

• sugar – What is the best sugar for body scrub? DIY sugar scrubs can be prepared with a variety of sugars. I mostly use granulated sugar or brown sugar, but try different types to see what is best for your skin type.
• fractionated coconut oil – I love a homemade coconut oil body scrub! Fractionated coconut oil is lightweight, odourless and inexpensive. Coconut oil is very hydrating and will give your skin a silky feel and healthy glow.
• essential oils – Essential oils not only lend a natural fragrance to the body scrub recipes, but also provide different skincare and aromatherapeutic benefits.
• vitamin E oil – Vitamin E is one of the best ingredients to nourish, hydrate, and rejuvenate the skin. Another benefit is that the antioxidant properties of vitamin E also protect the carrier oil from oxidation (= going rancid) and help to prolong the shelf life of the DIY sugar scrub.
• botanicals and other exfoliants – Some of the sugar scrub recipes use botanicals, such as rose petals, citrus zest, and coffee grounds, as co-exfoliants and natural colourants.
• colourants (optional) – Some ingredients, such as citrus zest, mint leaves, rose petals and coffee grounds, will naturally colour your sugar scrub recipe. If preferred, use mica powder, mineral-based cosmetic powder, to make the colour stronger.

How to make an easy sugar scrub recipe

Ready to try our DIY sugar scrub recipe? Let’s do it! It’s just 4 easy steps and 5 minutes prep! Here is how to make your own exfoliating scrub:

• Blend the oil phase. Add the carrier oil, essential oils, and vitamin E into a jar or small mixing bowl and stir to combine.
• Prep the sugar base. Put the sugar, mica powder and other dry ingredients (e.g. coffee grounds) into a large mixing bowl. Stir to combine.

Tip: If using botanicals (e.g. rose petals or mint leaves), place the sugar and botanicals into a food processor and blend until combine and the botanicals are well dispersed.

• Mix the sugar scrub. Pour the oils over the sugar and combine.
• Store the sugar scrub. Transfer the sugar scrub into airtight glass jars or storage containers and store sealed until ready to use.

This simple process is the same for all of the following six DIY sugar scrub recipes.

6 Easy body scrub recipes

Now that we know how to make sugar scrub and its benefits, let’s explore 6 sugar scrub recipes!

The exact measurements are in the DIY box at the end of the post!

Lavender sugar scrub

Perfect for cleansing and exfoliating, my fragrant lavender sugar scrub helps to lift away dead skin cells and prepare the skin for moisture. Lavender essential oil has numerous skincare uses. Adding this oil to your sugar scrub can be beneficial for several skin issues.

Lavender sugar scrub benefits

What is lavender sugar scrub good for? This lavender sugar scrub recipe promotes healthy, great-looking skin! The oil’s anti-inflammatory properties soothe and nourish dry skin, while antioxidants help protect the skin from free radical damage. Lavender may even help with eczema and psoriasis.

How to make homemade lavender body scrub

Making homemade sugar scrub is as easy as mixing the oil phase with the sugar. A small amount mica powder gives a beautiful lavender colour. Without a colourant, the body coconut oil sugar scrub will simply appear white. You can also sprinkle dried lavender buds into your scrub for an extra pretty presentation.

Variations

How does lemon lavender sugar scrub sound? Wonderful! If you wish to add a little more punch to the simple body scrub recipe, use half lavender half lemon essential oil (steam-distilled). Another idea is to make a lavender vanilla sugar scrub recipe.

Rose sugar scrub

Exfoliating feels exquisite with this beautiful rose sugar scrub! Infused with rose otto, it gently exfoliates to reveal smoother, fresher skin. Crushed rose petals and a wonderful floral scent will add a touch of luxury to your exfoliating routine.

DIY rose scrub benefits

Exfoliating with this homemade rose scrub is a beautiful experience! Rose essential oil has many skin benefits when used topically. The oil’s antibacterial qualities are effective to fight the bacteria responsible for acne. Its anti-inflammatory properties and anti-oxidant content, make rose an excellent anti-ageing essential oil.

Studies also show that rose oil decreases stress and anxiety and promotes wellbeing. I love using this rose body scrub in the shower and feel refreshed and relaxed afterwards.

How to make homemade rose body scrub

This easy sugar scrub recipe can be made with fresh or dried rose petals. Simply add the sugar and rose petals to a food processor and blend until both ingredients are combined. Pink rose petals create a soft pink hue. Optionally, add a little pink mica for a stronger pink colour.

I scented the sugar body scrub with rose otto essential oil. If you can’t find rose otto, use 2 tbsp rose water. Since rosewater is hydrous, either use the product quickly or add a preservative to make the rose body scrub last longer.

Variation

If you want to switch it up, add 1 tsp vanilla extract or 20 drops vanilla oleoresin to make vanilla rose sugar scrub.

Lemon sugar scrub

The perfect scrub to get summer-ready, this crisp and refreshingly scented lemon sugar scrub leaves skin soft and silky. This exfoliating body scrub with lemon essential oil is ideal for normal to oily skin types.

Benefits of lemon sugar scrub

Used in a scrub, lemon essential oil nourishes, cleanses, and exfoliates the skin and clears up skin issues such as oiliness and acne. The oil’s astringent property rejuvenates and conditions the skin. Lemon body scrub lightens and evens out the skin tone, and I also find that this clean-smelling oil enhances my mood and energy.

How to make DIY lemon body scrub

How do you make lemon sugar scrub? It’s super simple! Grate the zest of one organic lemon and mix with the sugar. Then combine with the oil phase and you’re done! I scented the scrub with steam-distilled lemon essential oil, but lemon extract can be used instead.

Variations

Instead of using lemon, prepare the recipes with other members of the citrus family, such as orange, lime or grapefruit. When using grapefruit or lime, makes sure the essential oils are steam distilled, not cold-pressed.

Vanilla sugar scrub

My indulgent vanilla sugar scrub has a warm, comforting scent and is a true treat for your skin! Raw cane sugar and vanilla seeds gently exfoliate, while nourishing coconut oil softens and conditions the skin, leaving it feeling soft and touchable.

Vanilla sugar scrub benefits

I find the scent of vanilla relaxing and calming, which is why I like to use the homemade vanilla scrub at night. Vanilla is said to soothe inflammation and has antioxidant properties that neutralise free radicals, aiding in anti-ageing skincare.

The use of raw cane sugar is perfect to buff away callous skin on elbows, knees, and the bottom of the feet and heels.

How to make DIY vanilla body scrub

How do you make a vanilla body scrub? I created this vanilla scrub by mixing cane sugar with vanilla oleoresin and the seeds from a fresh vanilla bean. To do this, slit the vanilla bean open and scrape out the tiny black seeds. The vanilla fragrance will be more aromatic over time.

Can you use vanilla extract in sugar scrub?

Yes, you can use vanilla extract to scent sugar scrub instead of vanilla oleoresin.

Variation

The warming aroma of vanilla blends well with other spices. Add 1 tsp ground cinnamon to the DIY body scrub recipe to make cinnamon vanilla sugar scrub.

Mint sugar scrub

This refreshing mint scrub is perfect to slough away dead skin cells. Its sugary texture will leave your skin supremely soft and refined. Make this DIY sugar scrub part of your morning shower, the minty scent is revitalizing and will help you wake up!

Mint sugar scrub benefits

What is peppermint scrub used for? A DIY mint scrub provides a cooling sensation and can soothe dry, itchy skin. Its antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties make mint a handy ingredient for acne-prone skin. Peppermint oil is also known to control excess oils and to prevent clogged pores.

How to make DIY peppermint scrub

You can add both fresh or dried mint leaves to the scrub. Fresh mint leaves give the scrub a soft green hue and wonderfully fresh scent.

You can fragrance the body scrub with peppermint essential oil, but spearmint essential oil is the better option for sensitive skin. Peppermint extract can also be used but won’t have the same skincare properties as an essential oil.

Variations

I added steam-distilled lime essential oil and lime zest to my peppermint scrub recipe, which is incredibly refreshing. For a holiday version, check out this festive peppermint sugar scrub recipe!

Coffee sugar scrub

Revitalize and soften your skin with an invigorating coffee sugar scrub with essential oils! A blend of brown sugar and coffee grounds makes your skin feel soft and supple, and coconut oil provides nourishment to repair the skin’s moisture barrier.

Coffee scrub benefits

What is coffee sugar scrub good for? Coffee grounds are a wonderful and gentle exfoliant. The antioxidants and nutrients in this DIY coffee body scrub can be helpful to, balance the skin’s pH level, reduce the appearance of acne and cellulite, and for tan removal.

How to make homemade coffee sugar scrub

While you can make a used coffee grounds scrub, highly-quality, freshly ground coffee makes the best coffee body scrub! As is, the scrub has a mild coffee scent. The addition of vanilla oleoresin or 1 tsp vanilla extract will make the scrub even more enticing.

Coffee scrub variation

If cinnamon coffee scrub sounds appealing to you, stir 1 tsp ground cinnamon into the coffee scrub recipe.

How to use the sugar scrub recipes

These moisturizing sugar scrub recipes will keep your skin radiant and glowing! There are several ways to use the easy sugar scrub recipes. Here are a few tips for how to use sugar scrub to exfoliate your skin:

• shower – Exfoliating in the shower is by far my favourite way to exfoliate arms, legs and body. Wet your skin with warm water. Then massage small amounts of scrub on your skin. Rinse off with plenty of water.
• bath:
• hands and feet – You can also use the scrub to exfoliate only certain parts of your body like your hands or bottom of your feet. Take a little scrub and rub in a circular motion on the area you want to treat.
• lip sugar scrub -These sugar scrub recipes are also excellent lip scrubs. Pick up a small amount with your fingertip and massage it all over your lips with gentle pressure and in circular motions. Leave on for two minutes, then wash away and wipe clean with a tissue.

Be gentle when exfoliating to avoid hurting yourself and use scrub only on intact skin. Don’t use the scrub on irritated or inflamed skin, or open wounds.

Tip: Always use a spoon or spatula to remove body scrub from the jar. It’s very important not to get water into the product during use.

How often should you use the sugar scrub recipe?

Use this DIY sugar scrub recipe 2 to 3 times a week. Over-exfoliating can irritate the skin.

How to store the sugar scrub recipes

Store your homemade sugar scrub recipe in a cool, dry place away from sunlight, for example a cupboard. Ensuring that the storage container is always tightly closed is the best way for how to prevent sugar scrub from hardening and drying out.

Homemade sugar scrub shelf life

How long does homemade sugar scrub last? If made with new ingredients, these sugar scrub recipes can be stored for up to a year. Sugar and coconut oil have a long shelf life of several years, but some essential oils last shorter than that. So use the best-before date of the essential oils as a guide.

More homemade body and lip scrub recipes

If you like these DIY suagr scrub recipes, you’ll also enjoy my other body scrub ideas:

• sugar soap scrub bars
• sea salt scrub
• lemon sugar and salt scrub
• rose sugar scrub cubes
• simple coconut oil scrub
• pumpkin spice brown sugar scrub
• candy cane body scrub
• hand scrub
• foot scrub bars
• cleansing balm with jojoba beads
• easy lip scrub
• strawberry lip scrub
• peppermint lip scrub

Printable sugar scrub labels – Easy sugar scrub gifts

Essential oil sugar scrub recipes are a beautiful and inexpensive gift for many occasions, for example, Mother’s Day, birthdays, DIY Christmas gifts and other holidays. I packaged the scrub in small glass jars, these 4 oz quilted mason jars or these adorable weck jars are great options too.

Feel free to do double or triple the recipe. When I’m making DIY sugar scrub recipes for gift-giving, I usually prepare a large amount. Just be sure to store the exfoliating scrub in an airtight glass container.

Cyna created printable sugar scrub labels that you can download at the end of the post. The labels are available in 6 different colours and also include a black and white version.

The printables fit on letter-size and A4 paper. I recommend  using 22 lb printer paper or 32 lb premium printer paper.

Tip: Print the black and white design on kraft paper for rustic labels.

Over to you

Cyna and I had a lot of fun coming up with these easy sugar scrub recipes and hope you enjoy them as much as we do! If you make one of the scrubs, tag @chcottage on Instagram or post a photo on Pinterest!

Thanks so much for visiting Country Hill Cottage – we’re so happy you’re here! Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

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Irena xx