There’s something incredibly satisfying about making your own body care products, especially when they’re this simple, this effective, and this nourishing for your skin. Whether youʼre pampering yourself or prepping a heartfelt teacher gift, these homemade sugar scrubs are easy to whip up and full of ingredients you can actually pronounce.
In this post, we’re sharing our go-to homemade body scrub recipe plus a couple of tried-and-true variations. All are based on natural ingredients that gently exfoliate, hydrate, and refresh the skin. Each blend is backed by scientific research, safe when used properly, and free of harsh chemicals or preservatives.
We have a wonderful Citrus DIY Scrub Tutorial that uses honey for its emollient properties, and you can adapt any of the essential oil scents and blends below to that recipe. However, for those who want to see a vegan option without honey, this is for you! Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Why Exfoliation Matters
Your skin naturally sheds dead cells, but sometimes it needs a little help, especially if you deal with irritated skin, dry patches, rough elbows, or post-garden grit. Gentle exfoliation removes this dead skin buildup, unclogs pores, and allows your skin to better absorb moisture and nutrients. This helps give you the “glowing skin” advertisers want to sell you on all the time (without toxic, carcinogenic ingredients)!
Organic sugar scrubs offer a simple and affordable way to keep your skin healthy and glowing. Unlike harsh chemical peels or plastic microbeads, sugar is a natural humectant and mechanical exfoliant, meaning it draws in moisture while physically polishing the skinʼs surface. Combined with nourishing plant oils and mood-lifting essential oils, these scrubs offer a full-body refresh thatʼs safe, effective, and enjoyable.
Homemade Sugar Scrub Basic Ingredients
You don’t need complicated chemicals or store-bought labels to have glowing, healthy skin. Our homemade sugar scrub is made with just a few simple, natural ingredients that nourish your body and gently exfoliate.
Here’s a closer look at each of the simple ingredients and why they work:
Carrier Oils for Moisturizing Even the Driest Skin
We often reach for extra-virgin and unrefined coconut oil when making scrubs, and for good reason! Coconut oil is rich in skin-loving fatty acids like lauric acid, which help moisturize dry skin and form a protective barrier to lock in hydration. It’s naturally antimicrobial and deeply nourishing, making it perfect for body care recipes.
Want to switch it up? Here are a few carrier oil options that work beautifully:
- Extra-virgin olive oil – Full of antioxidants and ideal for very dry or mature skin.
- Grapeseed oil – Light and fast-absorbing, suitable for oily or acne-prone skin.
- Jojoba oil – Balances oil production and absorbs easily without clogging pores.
- Sweet almond oil – Lightweight, rich in vitamin E, and great for sensitive skin.
But if you’ve made a batch of Mama Z’s famous essential oil base, this is a great DIY to use it in as well.
Always use organic, cold-pressed, unrefined oils when possible to ensure the highest nutrient content. Avoid vegetable oils as they are overly processed. You can also add vitamin E oil if you want an extra skin care boost.
Exfoliant (We Use Organic Cane Sugar)
Organic fair-trade sugar is one of the best natural exfoliants for body scrubs. It gently buffs away dead skin cells, helping to unclog pores, soften rough patches, and reveal radiant skin underneath. We typically use white organic cane sugar for its fine, even texture that’s safe for most skin types, but brown sugar is a popular choice as well.
You can also experiment with these alternative types of sugar:
Organic brown sugar – Softer and gentler, perfect for more sensitive skin.
Organic coarse raw sugar – Great for hands and feet, but avoid on delicate areas.
Organic coconut sugar – Natural and slightly coarser, better for tougher areas like elbows and heels.
Avoid using exfoliants that are too harsh, which can cause microtears or irritation, especially on facial, sensitive, or broken skin. For a non-sugar, herbal exfoliant, you can use ground flaxseed or oats. Another non-sugar alternative is pink Himalayan salt or Epsom salt if sugar is too addictive for you to keep in the house. This gives gentle exfoliation with added skin-soothing benefits.
Essential Oils (Skip the Fragrance Oils!)
We always recommend using pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils rather than artificial fragrance oils, which often contain synthetic chemicals and hormone-disrupting compounds. Essential oils not only add natural scent, but they also bring powerful skincare benefits.
Here are some of our go-to essential oils that support skin health:
Frankincense Oil – Promotes skin healing and regeneration; ideal for aging or damaged skin
Lavender Oil – Soothing and calming; helps reduce redness and inflammation.
Orange or Bergamot Oil – Uplifting and antioxidant-rich (but avoid sun exposure afterward)
Peppermint Oil – Known for its cooling & invigorating effect, it also soothes itchy, irritated skin
Roman Chamomile Oil – Calms irritation and is gentle enough for sensitive skin.
Rosemary Oil – Antioxidant-rich and clarifying for improving skin hydration and elasticity
Tea Tree Oil – Antimicrobial and cleansing; great for acne-prone or rough skin patches.
Vanilla Oil – Rich in antioxidants, which can help neutralize free radicals and protect against skin aging
Caution: Some citrus oils can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Always check for photosensitivity warnings before applying them to exposed areas. Learn more about citrus essential oils and photosensitivity here.
Remember, just a few drops of essential oil go a long way. You can use one oil in your organic sugar scrub recipe, or blend several to customize the scent and benefit profile of your homemade scrub.
Organic Sugar Scrub Recipe Base
Quantity
Ingredients
- 1 cup organic fair trade sugar
- ⅓ cup coconut oil, extra-virgin AND unrefined
- 64 drops total blend of skin-friendly essential oils of choice*
Instructions
- In a large glass bowl, combine the sugar and coconut oil. Mix until fully blended.
- Add essential oils and stir again to distribute evenly.
- Use a canning funnel to transfer the mixture into an airtight glass jar.
- Store in a cool, dry place and enjoy within 1-2 months.
Favorite Homemade Sugar Scrub Variations
You can mix and match the ingredients and incorporate substitutions if needed. We have a lot of signature essential oil blends you can try, or look at our skin healing serum recipe and see which essential oils align with your skin needs. In the meantime, here are two of our go-to blends to give you a place to start with confidence.
Gardener’s Organic Sugar Scrub Variation
After a long day in the yard or a brisk hike, this invigorating scrub helps slough away dirt and soothe sore muscles. It consists of rosemary and peppermint essential oil. Dr. Z and I love this one after vacation hikes or full gardening days. Itʼs deeply moisturizing and refreshing all at once!
Joyful Organic Sugar Scrub Variation
This cheerful scrub is one of my personal favorites, especially during the postpartum season when a little extra joy goes a long way. The uplifting aroma of orange and vanilla essential oils creates a spa-like experience right at home. Itʼs perfect for daily pampering or anytime you need a sweet, mood-boosting pick-me-up!
How to Use & Store Organic Sugar Scrubs
Your homemade sugar scrubs are made with fresh, natural ingredients and are free from synthetic preservatives. That means proper storage is key. Because plant-based oils and essential oils can oxidize over time, itʼs best to store your scrub in a cool, dry place and always keep the lid tightly sealed.
Introducing water into the jar can cause spoilage or mold, so be sure to scoop with clean, dry hands or a spoon. With a little care, your sugar scrub will stay fresh, fragrant, and skin-nourishing for weeks!
To Use:
- In the shower or bath, scoop out a tablespoon of scrub with dry fingers or a clean spoon.
- Gently massage into damp skin in a circular motion, focusing on rough or dry areas.
- Rinse thoroughly with warm water and pat dry. No need to moisturize afterward!
To Store:
- Keep scrub in a cool, dry place in an airtight container.
- Avoid introducing water to the jar during use to prevent spoilage.
- Use within 1-2 months for best freshness.
FAQs for Using Sugar Body Scrubs at Home
Can I use homemade sugar scrub recipes on my face?
Not recommended. Sugar granules can be too abrasive for sensitive skin on the face. Try a gentler exfoliant like oatmeal or jojoba beads for facial use.
How often should I exfoliate with sugar scrubs?
1-3 times per week is ideal for most skin types. Over-exfoliating can irritate the skin, so start slow and adjust based on your needs.
Are essential oils safe for everyone?
Always patch test new products, especially if pregnant, nursing, or using the scrub on children. Avoid using sage if you are nursing because it will decrease your supply. (Possibly peppermint as well as it does affect milk supply in some people but not others.) Also, watch the use of peppermint and wintergreen in scrubs on children, as they can be too strong, and consult a healthcare provider for any special concerns.
One of the biggest benefits of making your own homemade sugar scrub recipes is that you have the ability to control the quality. Using natural beauty ingredients to eliminate toxic and harmful chemicals is a huge step towards supporting true health from the inside out, from non-synthetic fragrances via essential oil blends, to organic sugar.
- https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/homemade_sugar_scrubs_for_skin_care
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4720453/
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