My Exfoliating Citrus DIY Sugar Scrub with Essential Oils is fun and simple. It makes a luxurious gift, and it’s easy on the wallet since you can probably shop for the ingredients in your kitchen! This scrub will soften and exfoliate your skin, leaving you with a glow. Add your favorite essential oils for a truly spa-like experience!
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3 Benefits of Using a DIY Sugar Scrub
Why should you add a sugar scrub to your shower routine? This step is optional, but I’m confident that it will become a must-have. Here are a few reasons you should make this DIY.
1. Sugar Scrubs Are Exfoliating
Sugar is a great natural moisturizer. Over time, dead skin cells can build up, causing the skin to look dull. This build-up can cause body acne, ingrown hairs, and even prevent toxins from leaving the body. When you use an exfoliator, the moisturizers you put on your skin work better because they have a clear path to the skin.
2. Sugar Scrubs Are Moisturizing
My sugar scrub includes moisturizers to soften the skin even further. Harsh exfoliators without moisturizing ingredients can harm your skin and leave it stripped of natural oils. The toxin-free oils I use in this recipe will replenish your skin’s moisture from the inside out. When you combine an exfoliator with moisturizer, your skin will have an instant glow!
3. Exfoliators Can Improve Circulation
Using an exfoliator can improve your blood circulation. When you scrub your skin (preferably in a circular motion), you’re helping your body flush out excess toxins. Stimulating your skin in this manner can also help improve the look of cellulite. I love using this DIY sugar scrub because my skin always feels tingly and refreshed. Add some peppermint essential oil to feel wide awake!
1 DIY Sugar Scrub, 3 Different Uses
This sugar scrub is a multi-tasker! Here are just a few ways you can use it.
Lip Scrub
This recipe makes an excellent lip scrub! Our lips need gentle exfoliation, especially in colder climates. Lip scrubs are trendy right now, and you can customize yours to fit a variety of needs. Try swapping the grapefruit EO for lavender!
I love making this as a gift for my friends and family. It looks beautiful next to a jar of my anti-aging cream! If you’re making this for just one person, I’d recommend cutting the ingredients in fourths. To use on lips, you can make this DIY as listed.
Foot Scrub
Prepare your feet for sandal weather with a refreshing foot scrub! Peppermint essential oil is excellent for soothing tired toes. To make this recipe pedicure friendly, leave out the honey and add more sugar until you get a crumbly consistency.
All Over Body Scrub
If you want to use this scrub all over your body, feel free to leave out the honey! Honey adds a beautiful smell, and it’s great for the skin, but it makes a softer scrub. If you have really dry, stubborn skin, you might want a stiffer scrub made with only sugar.
Mama Z Pro Tip – To tap into the exfoliation power of this scrub, you can use shower exfoliation gloves. Some exfoliation gloves are softer than others, so choose a pair that suits your skin’s sensitivity. If the grain is too rough for you, your skin may feel irritated.
Prepare your skin for a cleansing exfoliation without toxins by using my moisturizing body wash first, and then add the scrub to your skin before you wash off.
Best Non-Toxic Ingredients for Scrubs
Sugar scrubs are so easy to make, and they include the yummiest ingredients! Here’s what this recipe calls for.
Organic Fair Trade Sugar: We like to use organic Fair Trade sugar in our scrubs, but you can use anything you want since you’re not eating it. Sugar is a great natural exfoliant that leaves skin glowing! Cheap white cane sugar will produce a lighter-colored scrub, while the healthier versions will create a light brown scrub.
Mama Z’s Oil Base or Your Favorite Carrier Oil: I’m always partial to using my oil base in these DIYs. My customized blend of oils is perfectly moisturizing without being overly slick. If you don’t have my recipe on hand, you can use your favorite carrier oil. Sweet almond, jojoba, or fractioned coconut oil work wonderfully!
Raw Local Honey: To get the full benefits that honey offers, purchase it in natural form. Raw honey has been minimally processed and retains most of its skin-healing properties. Processed honey often includes added sugars and fillers that overpower any benefits. It’s always best to shop local if you can!
Citrus Essential Oils: Citrus essential oils are sure to put some pep in your step! They are full of d-limonene, which reduces inflammation, and might have anti-cancer benefits.
3 Essential Oil Blends You Have to Try!
You can always switch up the essential oils you use in this recipe. Customize the scrub to fit your unique needs. Here are a few blends to inspire you!
- Allergy Relief Blend: To find relief during the ever-annoying allergy season, use 5 drops each of lavender, lemon, and peppermint essential oil.
- Joyful Blend: If you need a blend that will put a smile on your face, use 3 drops each of orange, lemon, bergamot, grapefruit, and vanilla absolute essential oil. If you don’t have one of these citrus oils, any combination of the above oils (15 drops total) will work!
- Sleepy-Time Blend: For a restful night’s sleep, use 5 drops each of Roman chamomile, lavender, and vetiver.
- Romantic Blend: To put yourself in a romantic state of mind, use 5 drops each rose, lavender, and ylang-ylang essential oil.
- 6 tablespoons organic Fair Trade sugar
- 4 teaspoons carrier oil*
- ¼ cup raw local honey
- 10 drops bergamot essential oil
- 10 drops grapefruit essential oil
- 10 drops lime or lemon essential oil
- Supplies:
- Mixing bowl
- Glass jar for storage
- Mix the sugar, carrier oil, honey, and essential oils in a small bowl.
- Place in a glass jar.
- Use 1 to 2 tablespoons as desired as an exfoliating scrub in the bath or shower.
How to Make a DIY Sugar Scrub with Essential Oils
Making this DIY is so easy! I love seeing all the different options our Natural Living Family comes up with. This recipe is especially popular during the holiday season. I’ve seen a few people color their scrubs with natural food coloring. Others like to make peppermint-scented scrub and layer red and white to look like candy canes!
Step One: Mix All Ingredients
Mix the sugar, oil base, honey, and essential oils until smooth. Store in a glass jar and enjoy as often as you want! For additional hydration, follow up with my body butter.
