Bath and body products have gotten ridiculous! Why spend $10–$20 on a container of store bought body scrub when you can make the same thing at home in about five minutes using stuff you already have?
You can’t! Trust me, once you make your first batch you’ll never buy one again! It’s way easier than going to the store!
Even better — make a big batch, pour into cute jars, and you’ve got homemade Christmas gifts and gift basket fillers that look like you spent way more than you did. Old Yankee Candle jars cleaned out work perfectly. So do mason jars from the dollar store.
The Basic Sugar Scrub Recipe — Start Here
Every sugar scrub starts with the same two things — sugar and oil. That’s it. Everything else is optional depending on what you have on hand.
- 1 cup sugar — white or brown both work, brown is more moisturizing
- ½ cup oil — coconut oil, olive oil, grapeseed oil, or sweet almond oil
- Optional: 10–15 drops of essential oil for scent
Mix together in a bowl, scoop into a jar, and you’re done. For real, it is that easy! Apply to wet skin in circular motions, rinse with warm water, pat dry. That’s the whole process. Told you it was easy lol!
Add-Ins Based on What You Have
The fun part about making your own scrub is that there are no rules. Once you have the basic formula down you can mix and match ingredients based on what you have, what you like, and who you’re making it for. Lavender for your mom who loves to relax. Coffee and vanilla for your coworker who lives on caffeine. Lemon and honey for your friend with sensitive skin.
Every combination works a little differently and part of the fun is experimenting. Make a small test batch first, try it in the shower, and adjust from there. Too scratchy? Use less sugar or switch to brown sugar. Too oily? Cut back on the oil slightly. Want more scent? Add a few more drops.
You really can’t mess this up. Here are a few basics to get you started — then go make it your own!
–Lavender oil: Lavender oil is great for relaxation and has a calming scent. It’s also good for dry skin.
–Peppermint oil: Peppermint oil is invigorating and has a cooling effect on the skin. It’s also great for relieving muscle aches and pains.
–Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil is an antibacterial and can help to clear up blemishes.
–Eucalyptus oil: Eucalyptus oil has a refreshing, minty scent and can help to clear congestion. It’s also good for muscle aches and pains.
–Lemon oil: Lemon oil is refreshing and has a bright, uplifting scent. It’s also great for detoxifying the skin.
–Grapefruit oil: Grapefruit oil is refreshing and has a tart, citrusy scent. It’s also good for cellulite and water retention.
No essential oils? Vanilla extract from your pantry works great. A teaspoon of cinnamon adds a warm spicy scent. Even a few drops of lemon juice brightens things up.
For Extra Benefits — Pantry Add-Ins
- Honey — antibacterial and super moisturizing, add a tablespoon
- Coffee grounds — swap half the sugar for coffee grounds for an energizing scrub
- Cinnamon — warming and stimulating for circulation
- Vitamin E oil — great for anti-aging, just puncture a capsule and squeeze it in
- Lemon zest — brightening and fresh smelling
Three Easy Variations to Try
You can get creative with this – try different combos but here are a few basics to get you going!
Relaxing Lavender Sugar Scrub
- 1 cup white sugar
- ½ cup coconut oil
- 15 drops lavender essential oil
Wake-Up Coffee Scrub
- ½ cup coffee grounds
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup coconut oil
- Optional — a few drops of vanilla extract
Lemon Honey Brightening Scrub
- 1 cup white sugar
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Zest of one lemon
- 10 drops lemon essential oil — optional
Best Oils to Use as Your Base
Use whatever oil you have on hand — they all work. Here’s a quick guide:
- Coconut oil — best overall, moisturizing and smells great
- Olive oil — great if coconut is all you have, slightly heavier feel
- Grapeseed oil — light and non-greasy, good for oily skin
- Sweet almond oil — gentle and great for sensitive skin
- Baby oil — works in a pinch and leaves skin very soft
Best Jars for Gifting
Mason jars are the classic choice and you can find them cheap at craft stores or the dollar store. But honestly the best free option is saving your old Yankee Candle jars — once they’re cleaned out they are absolutely perfect for sugar scrubs and look gorgeous with a ribbon and a tag.
Dollar store jars, old jam jars, and wide mouth pickle jars all work too. Clean them out, fill them up, add a cute label or ribbon and you have a gift that looks like it cost $20 but cost you about $2.
DIY Body Scrub — Frequently Asked Questions
Homemade Sugar Scrub — Your Questions Answered
How long does homemade sugar scrub last?
Most sugar scrubs last 2–3 months stored in a cool dry place. If you add fresh ingredients like lemon juice or honey use within 2–3 weeks and keep refrigerated.
Can I use table sugar for body scrub?
Yes — regular white table sugar works perfectly. Brown sugar is slightly gentler and more moisturizing making it a great choice for sensitive skin or facial scrubs.
Do I need essential oils to make a sugar scrub?
No — essential oils are completely optional. Vanilla extract, cinnamon, lemon zest, and honey are all great scent and benefit add-ins using things already in your pantry.
What oil is best for homemade body scrub?
Coconut oil is the most popular choice — it’s moisturizing, smells great, and has a nice consistency. Olive oil, grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, and even baby oil all work well too. Use whatever you have on hand.
Looking for more ways to make free stuff at home? Check out our Living section for practical tips that save real money every day!
