This DIY easy homemade sugar scrub exfoliates and moisturizes all at once. Your skin will feel brand new, incredibly soft, and luxurious. It is simple to make yourself with just two main ingredients that you likely have on hand already! This recipe takes about two minutes to make and is much less expensive than store-bought sugar scrubs. Use it as the perfect holiday gift given in cute reusable glass jars!
As soon as the east coast winter hits, my skin dries up. This is especially true since I’m constantly washing my hands to avoid getting sick…not to mention dishes and bath time for the kids! My poor hands need some TLC every now and then to avoid cracking and bleeding from all the harsh water and soap they are exposed to. Whipping up a batch of this sugar scrub is a quick and easy way to soften and hydrate! Since it is homemade you know exactly what is in it…nothing toxic, and only the good stuff! It would be a great gift for neighbors, friends, or family…and especially wonderful for people in professions who wash their hands a lot, like medical professionals or teachers!
DIY Sugar Scrub Ingredients
This recipe takes about two minutes to make, and it’s so much less expensive than store-bought brands! It’s made from just two main ingredients. There are a ton of add-in opportunities here, since the base of this recipe smells neutral and is very simple. If you know someone with sensitive skin or extreme allergies, though, the classic sugar scrub without add-ins would be so appreciated!
- Coconut oil – Use unrefined coconut oil at room temperature, so it’s either very soft or completely liquid and easy to stir in.
- Sugar – Yup, just regular sugar that you can buy at any grocery store! I use Organic Cane Sugar, but you can use the white granulated sugar that’s already in your pantry.
Homemade Sugar Scrub with Essential Oils
In the recipe below I provide an option to add citrus zest or essential oils to the sugar scrub for scent, but it is still wonderful on its own. This is a great basic starter set of essential oils that I love. Each of those scents would make a wonderful addition to the scrub and add extra benefits.
- Citrus is said to boost your mood and energy.
- During cold and flu season I like to add OnGuard essential oil.
- For more of a spa vibe I use eucalyptus and lavendar essential oil for a really soothing blend.
- If you don’t want any fragrance or benefits other than the scrub you can simply leave the essential oils out.
I also provided the option of adding vitamin E oil for an extra moisture boost. This is not required and the sugar scrub is wonderful with just the coconut oil and sugar, but I’ve found the extra nourishment from vitamin E is so nice for super dry hands!
How to Use Sugar Scrub
I use 1/2 tablespoon on both my hands, rub them gently together for 20 seconds, then rinse with water. I pat them dry, and my hands feel like silk! It’s incredible for the dry winter months when your skin needs a bit of extra love. It doubles as the perfect DIY holiday gift! I love to include a pretty wooden spoon tied to the jar when I give it as a gift along with a note containing instructions on how to use it and a thoughtful well wish.
Homemade Sugar Scrub Gift
Everyone goes crazy over thoughtful DIY gifts, and this one is really the gift that keeps on giving! It lasts a long time, promotes self-care, and the tiny glass jar is cute and can be cleaned and reused for storing food. This set of six tiny glass jars are adorable and would be great for gifting the sugar scrub in! I’ve also used the jars found here and they are perfect for gifting. I also use them to store sauces, chia jam, smoothie jar ingredients, and chia seed pudding. You can never had enough glass jars in the kitchen! Tie it off with a bow, add a thoughtful note, and you’re the neighborhood superstar.
I hope you decide to give yourself or someone you know the gift of silky skin this holiday season! If you give this homemade sugar scrub a try, please snap a pic and tag #eatingbyelaine and @eatingbyelaine on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook so I can cheer you on. I love seeing the way you add fragrance and package these scrubs! This is a vegan, allergen-friendly gift that is so thoughtful and gentle on sensitive skin.
More Recipes That Make Great Gifts
- Peppermint Body Scrub
- Easy Granola Recipe
- Healthy Homemade Nutella
- Instant Vegan Caramel Sauce
- Homemade Raw Creamy Almond Butter
- 5-Ingredient Vegan Peppermint Patties
- Vegan Almond Butter Cups
- Dark Chocolate Avocado Truffles
- Spiced Lentil & Split Pea Soup in a Jar
- Easy Vegan Maple Pecan Granola
- Gluten-Free & Vegan Pumpkin Bread
- Sweet & Salty Roasted Pepita Seeds
- Healthy Maple Candied Pecans
Easy Homemade Sugar Scrub
- Total Time: 2 mins
- Yield: 1 jar 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This simple DIY sugar scrub exfoliates and moisturizes all at once. Massage a small amount into your skin in circular motions for 20 seconds. Rinse with water and gently pat dry. Your skin will feel brand new and incredibly soft and luxurious. This sugar scrub makes a great gift for others when given in cute little glass jars that can be reused.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup sugar (I use organic cane sugar)
- Optional: 2 tablespoons citrus zest (such as orange, lemon or grapefruit) OR 10 drops of your favorite essential oil such as lavender, eucalyptus etc.
- Optional: 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
Instructions
- In a small glass bowl stir to combine room temperature coconut oil with sugar using a spoon or fork. Add the optional zest, essential oils or vitamin E oil if using.
- Transfer to an airtight container, seal tightly and store at room temperature for up to two months. If you use the citrus zest it will have a shorter shelf life.
Notes
To keep the sugar scrub fresh do not introduce moisture or anything to the jar. Use a spoon to portion it out in your hand and do not double dip it. Always seal it tightly.
Homemade Peppermint Body Scrub
Recently one of my readers shared these adorable mini wooden scoopers that they tied to the jar of gifted sugar scrub. They pair perfectly with the scrub.
- Prep Time: 2 mins
- Category: self-care
- Method: Stir
Keywords: Easy homemade sugar scrub
Hi there thanks for this great recipe which I’m going to make. Just wondering with the coconut oil does it need to be the unrefined oil that has coconut aroma? I believe the unrefined one is more pure.
Either should work. Whichever is less expensive I would say.
I make mine with dark brown sugar and coconut oil…that’s it! Gentle, could be used daily, and no need for body lotion following my shower…(and I have dry skin)
Love that! Sounds perfect!
Do you need a preservative since it’s used by the shower or bath and waster may get in there?
I’m not sure – I keep moisture away from it and use a dry spoon to portion it out in advance. If you are concerned then go for it.
The sugar acts as a preserving agent.
Thank you, Cathy! That explains why it lasts me so long!
Can you use shea butter with is recipe
I don’t believe so. I believe at room temperature shea butter is solid so it would need to be softened somehow prior to use. The coconut oil works well at room temperature because it isn’t solid but it also isn’t liquid… it is nice and soft and perfect for exfoliating and rubbing into the skin. Does that make sense?
I made this and the coconut oil I used was solid so I had to melt it. One the mixture set the coconut went back to its solid state and left the scrub with a marble affect throughout the scrub. How can I correct this?
I’m so sorry to hear about this. I would not recommend completely melting it if it is hard. I would say you would soften it a bit by warming it up in the microwave for about 10 seconds. You want to be able to stir it but not have it in a liquid state. You could probably salvage what you have by warming it up slightly and remixing and maybe adding more sugar to it. If you want to email me pictures of it I might be able to help more. My email is elaine@eatingbyelaine.com and I’m more than happy to troubleshoot with you. What is your current climate and room temperature in your home? It should work fine if your thermostat is set to 72 degrees or so.
Does anyone how long long after this is made when it won’t be good anymore?
Hi Samantha, I have personally used it for months after making a large batch. I typically portion it out into separate containers and use throughout the year. If you are careful not to introduce moisture or anything else into it then it can stay fresh for a very long time. If you plan on adding citrus zest the shelf life may be shorter though. For that, just look for typical signs of storage and discard if necessary. I hope this helps! Best, Elaine
How much does this recipe exactly make?
About 3/4 cup. Enjoy!
Hi Elaine, can I add honey and lemon to it and use for my entire body including my face? Again how long will it last when stored under room temperature if these ingredients are added, or can I refrigerate?
Hi Mercy, I have honestly never tried that but it sounds invigorating and hydrating! I wouldn’t want to say for sure though since I haven’t tested it myself. I would also think that it would be slightly more perishable due to the lemon. Maybe one week and you could make a smaller batch?
I have always put baking soda in my foot scrub. A lot of people are asking how long it will last. So my question is will the baking soda keep it fresher longer or do you not recommend putting baking soda in your sugar scrub?
Hi, Paulette: Good question! I have actually not heard of this tip before and have never tried it myself. I personally have not had any issues keeping it fresh. I do my best not to introduce liquid or oils to the jar but even when I’m not super perfect about it it seems to be fine for a long time. That being said, I don’t think adding it would hurt the recipe in any way though so if you want to add it go for it! I just haven’t had a chance to try this myself.
I made one with olive (1tbp) and sugar(1tpb) lips soft.
Sounds heavenly!
Will your recipe become a solid once in a jar or hold the loose sugar as in your photo? Thank you
Great question – it totally depends on the temperature of where it is stored. It should stay looking like the photos at room temperature. In the summer in very hot weather it might get more liquid-y. In the winter it will be more solid. But, as you rub it between your hands and on your body it will warm up and work just fine. Does that help?
I know some scrubs will get Mildewmold in them after a while is there anything to add to keep this from happening?
Yes! Very good question! To prevent this you want to avoid adding any moisture to the scrub as you use it. For best results use a clean and dry spoon to scoop the scrub onto your hands/skin. Do not return the spoon to the jar after you have used it. Immediately place the airtight top back on the container. You could also choose to store in your refrigerator if you are not planning to use it frequently and then take out a couple hours before using to allow it to return to room temperature. I also do not recommend storing it in your shower. Make sure you are using an airtight container for storage. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any additional questions.
I can’t tolerate the smell of coconut. Is there anything else I can use?
Hi, Judy – Great question! I’m also very sensitive to smells so I understand your concern. Refined coconut oil has less of a coconut smell. Try that and see if that helps. If you are still having trouble with the scent then you can add essential oils to mask it. I hope that helps! Please let me know if you get a chance 🙂
How long would this scrub last before it goes bad?
Great question! If you secure it well in the airtight lid and don’t introduce anything to the jar then it should last at least two months. Mine never lasts that long though because I use it so often! Just be sure not to introduce moisture or anything to it… I like to use a clean wooden spoon to put a dollop in my hands and then I never put the same spoon back in the jar twice to make sure it stays 100% clean. Even if you don’t do this it will still last awhile – these tips just help extend the life of it and keep it super fresh! I hope this helps – please let me know if you have any additional questions – happy to help!
How would soap dyes affect things in this for changing the color? Any idea?
Hi Ben, I have not tried soap dyes myself so I’m not sure. If you give it a try please let me know so others can learn from your experience. Thank you!
Hi Elaine,
All the comments are great.
I have a question.
Which type of sugar would you recommend to use.
Some say brown, some say white.
However, is it fine sugar or Course sugar.
Thank you
Hi, Lorna! Great questions! Any will “work” but I personally like to use course sugar over fine. My favorite is organic cane sugar. Another option is to use Pink Himalayan Sea Salt (or any sea salt… I get my Himalayan Sea Salt at Costco in bulk so it is affordable. Be sure to also check out my more recent body scrub recipe: https://www.eatingbyelaine.com/homemade-peppermint-body-scrub-candy-cane-themed-for-holiday-gifting/
I hope that helps. Please let me know if you have any more questions.
Hi does this work with ok olive oil
Hi Sofia: It will not have the same consistency because olive oil is liquid at room temperature. Coconut oil is solid at room temperature (unless you live in a hot climate or during the very hot summer months in certain areas). I hope this answer helps. Best, Elaine
I heard that absorbic acid is a great natural preservative. Can I use this to keep the product fresh longer wham using lemon zest? Thanks!
Oh that is great! Yes, I would think it would be worth a shot. I have not tried it myself so I’m not sure how it would impact the texture or shelf life. Please let me know here if you do! Best, Elaine
Hi i was wondering if i have to use a glass bowl or can i just use a regular bowl (not glass)
Other bowls totally work but I find they are more difficult to clean. The coconut oil and the essential oil smells (if using) are sometimes difficult to get out/off other materials. So really it is just personal preference.
Would i be able to use this recipe on my skin (legs,arms) rather than just my hands?
Yes you can! 🙂 Enjoy!
Hello! I just made this and it is sooooo good. I added a few drops of orange essential oil and it’s perfect. Thank you for the new recipe!
Thank you so much, Amber! I’m so happy you love this one too! I love orange scented everything – such an uplifting and happy fragrance! 🙂
Hey there! Is there anyways to make it different color without it dying your skin too? Lol
I use pink Himalayan salt for a pink hue. What color are you thinking?
Hi so when u made this sugar scrub with coconut butter and sugar it came out kinda liquidy in the next week or so. So can I fix that
Hi Sarah, Two things… the recipe calls for coconut oil not coconut butter. Additionally, if you are in a hot climate then the coconut oil will naturally turn more liquid. It is similar to butter in that way. You can store it at a cooler temperature to get it to solidify. I hope that helps! Please let me know if you get a chance. Thank you! Best, Elaine
I made this and it came out a bit more liquid like..So I added more sugar and it didn’t really change. Did I do something wrong?
I wonder if it could be your climate… where are you located? Coconut oil is more liquidy at hotter temperatures. Anything over 75/76 degrees it will start to liquify. Where are you storing it?
It turned out like that for me as well. I noticed it was going to be too runny as soon as I started pouring in the coconut oil. So instead I just poured 1/4 of the coconut oil. The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of organic sugar…So I just double it. 1/4 coconut oil and 1/2 cup of sugar. It turned out great!
Hi, Jessica. Thank you for sharing. Was your coconut oil liquid? You mentioned pouring it and it should be solid at room temperature. Glad you were able to adjust the ratio and make it work for you! Best, Elaine
Quick question,
Do I need to use coconut oil or could I just use regular canola oil?
What would be best for a business?
For this recipe coconut oil is needed. Canola oil is liquid at room temperature and coconut oil is not.
Love this! Very moisturizing
Thank you so much, Pam! I really appreciate that! I’m so happy you enjoyed and found it beneficial. Best, Elaine
I see the orange sugar scrub but no recipe, do you just shred the rind and add some in?
Hi, Sharise. Yes, you will add the orange zest to the coconut sugar mixture. It is entirely optional. It is mentioned in the directions in step 1, second sentence. Please let me know if you have any questions or I can help in any way. I hope you love the sugar scrub as much as we do! Best, Elaine
I have always made sugar scrubs with olive oil, sugar, and essential oils. What is the difference between the coconut oil and olive oil/how does it affect the outcome???
Great question! The consistency! With coconut oil it is more solid at room temperature so it gives the sugar scrub a nice fluffy, thick, creamy texture. I hope that helps!
I absolutely loved this, I tried it today and my skin came out feeling like I treated it to a spa day. My skin came out so moisturised I didn’t need to apply lotion afterwards. I used ylang ylang oil so it ended smelling devine, can’t wait to make this for my friends!
Wonderful! So happy to hear that, Sally! Thank you so much for letting me know! I hope your friends enjoy it as well 🙂
It left a horrible oily sticky resadew that lasted 2 days. wouldn’t recommend But it did expholite the skin. it brought out the blue veins in My legs.
Hi, Hally: I’m so sorry to hear you had such a poor experience with the sugar scrub. I make this recipe all the time and have never had this issue so I would love to learn more to be able to provide more detailed notes in the recipe card for other readers so they can avoid the same negative experience. Can you please let me know what brand of ingredients you used and if you made any variations to the recipe at all? Was the oily sticky residue not removed when you washed your hands with soap and water? Did you add any essential oils or anything else to the recipe? Please let me know anything at all that might help understand what happened here. Thank you so much. Best Regards, Elaine