How to Make a Sugar Scrub

Co-authored by Lorena Barcal

Last Updated: December 15, 2023 Approved

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Why spend a lot on a brand name sugar scrub when you can make it for next-to-nothing at home? Sugar scrubs are great for exfoliating and they don't dry out your skin like salt scrubs and have no negative environmental impact like beaded scrubs.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Olive Oil Sugar Scrub

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1
Get a container. You'll need a small container to mix and keep your sugar scrub in. Find a clean container with a lid that you can spare for at least a few days until you've used all of your scrub.
- This recipe^{[1]
  X
  Research source} makes about 2/3 of a cup of scrub, although you can double it to make more. Size your container appropriately.
2
Put oil into the container. Pour 3 tablespoons of olive oil into your container.
- You can also add 1-2 gel caps of vitamin E oil if you want to make this scrub even better for your skin.^{[2]
  X
  Research source} Simply piece the cap and squeeze it into the oil. If you do this, however, make sure you let the scrub soak on your skin for a few minutes before rinsing it off.
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Now, add in 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) of honey. Any kind will do, but the thicker the honey is, the better.
Pour in 1/2 cup of real sugar. This can be any sugar but raw sugar will be the harshest while white sugar will be the least harsh. Brown sugar falls somewhere in the middle.
5
Stir it up and use as needed. Now that you have all of your ingredients in the container, mix everything together. If it seems to wet, you can add more sugar. If it's really dry, try adding half a spoon of oil.
- Store the finished product out on your counter or in a cupboard. Putting it in the fridge will only make it go hard.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub

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You'll need a container to mix and keep your sugar scrub in. This recipe makes about 2 1/2 cups of scrub, so you'll want to find a container big enough. Alternatively you can split the scrub between several smaller containers or halve the recipe.
2
Put oil into the container. Pour 3 tablespoons of coconut oil into your container. Choose cold-pressed coconut oil since it preserves more of the nutrients.^{[3]
X
Expert Source

Lorena Barcal
Clinical Herbalist & Clean Beauty Specialist

Expert Interview. 28 June 2020.}
- You can also add 1-2 gel caps of vitamin E oil if you want to make this scrub even better for your skin.^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Lorena Barcal
  Clinical Herbalist & Clean Beauty Specialist
  
  Expert Interview. 28 June 2020.} Simply piece the cap and squeeze it into the oil. If you do this, however, make sure you let the scrub soak on your skin for a few minutes before rinsing it off.
Now, add in 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) of honey. Any kind will do, but the thicker the honey is, the better.
Pour in 1/2 cup of real sugar. This can be any sugar but raw sugar will be the harshest while white sugar will be the least harsh. Brown sugar falls somewhere in the middle.
5
Stir it up and use as needed. Now that you have all of your ingredients in the container, mix everything together. If it seems to wet, you can add more sugar. If it's really dry, try adding half a spoon of oil.
- Store the finished product out on your counter or in a cupboard. Putting it in the fridge will only make it go turn hard.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Lavender Sugar Scrub

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1
Get a container. You'll need a small container to mix and keep your sugar scrub in. Find a clean container with a lid that you can spare for at least a few days until you've used all of your scrub.
- This recipe makes about 2/3 of a cup of scrub, although you can double it to make more. Size your container appropriately.
2
Put oil into the container. Pour 3 tablespoons of Johnson & Johnson Lavender Baby Oil (or another lavender body oil) into your container.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- You can also add 1-2 gel caps of vitamin E oil if you want to make this scrub even better for your skin. Simply piece the cap and squeeze it into the oil. If you do this, however, make sure you let the scrub soak on your skin for a few minutes before rinsing it off.
Using a separate bowl and a blunt object (like the handle of a hammer), crush up some dried lavender. Place the crushed lavender into the oil.
Pour in 1/2 cup of real sugar. This can be any sugar but raw sugar will be the harshest while white sugar will be the least harsh. Brown sugar falls somewhere in the middle.
Now that you have all of your ingredients in the container, mix everything together. If it seems to wet, you can add more sugar. If it's really dry, try adding half a spoon of oil.

Expert Q&A

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Question

What are the benefits of sugar scrubs?

Barbie Ritzman
Beauty & Skincare Specialist
Barbie Ritzman is a Beauty Specialist, Influencer, and the Owner of Barbie’s Beauty Bits. With over 10 years of experience in the beauty industry, she specializes in skincare and aesthetics. Barbie studied marketing at Tidewater Community College and holds a Certificate from the Media Buying Academy. For her work, she’s won Beauty Influencer of the Year - The USA and was featured in “The Allure 50,” which includes the year’s 50 most influential people in the beauty industry.

Barbie Ritzman

Beauty & Skincare Specialist

Expert Answer

Sugar scrubs offer a physical way to remove excess dead cells off the skin’s surface, leaving it smooth and glowing. They also help prep the skin for the better absorption of skincare products.

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Question

How often should you use sugar scrubs?

Barbie Ritzman
Beauty & Skincare Specialist
Barbie Ritzman is a Beauty Specialist, Influencer, and the Owner of Barbie’s Beauty Bits. With over 10 years of experience in the beauty industry, she specializes in skincare and aesthetics. Barbie studied marketing at Tidewater Community College and holds a Certificate from the Media Buying Academy. For her work, she’s won Beauty Influencer of the Year - The USA and was featured in “The Allure 50,” which includes the year’s 50 most influential people in the beauty industry.

Barbie Ritzman

Beauty & Skincare Specialist

Expert Answer

That depends on each case. That said, sugar scrubs are a gentler exfoliating option, which is good for people who seem to overdo it when exfoliating the skin, damaging and irritating it.

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Question

Can I just use a scrub that's made with nothing but sugar?

Community Answer

Yes, but that would only exfoliate your skin, not moisturize it. You would want to use some kind of moisturizer on your skin after the sugar to prevent drying and irritation.

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Tips

If you don't have honey, that's ok! I have made and sold plenty of sugar scrubs with and without this ingredient. Do not use maple syrup or molasses substitutes, that has zero points! Honey is used not because of its consistency, but because it is very moisturizing. All of those syrups are not meant for your skin. That being said, you can substitute oils for similar oils,^{[6]
X
Research source} and you can always add a few drops of essential oils into the mix for scent/properties.

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Instead of using lavender baby oil, consider using mostly olive or coconut oil, then adding a few drops of essential oil to give it a relaxing scent. The best ones are lavender, mint, or citrus.

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Try using Honey to make your scrub!

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Warnings

Do not exfoliate too often. This can irritate the skin.

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This will attract ants if left in bathtub.

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