This simple DIY sugar scrub recipe 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.
Recipe by Elaine Gordon on December 21, 2017
Prep time: PT2M
Total time: PT2M
Rating
4.9 stars ( reviews)
Keywords
Easy homemade sugar scrub
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
Categories
self-care
Steps
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.
Reviews
Tasha S on 2023-01-06 (5 stars): I’ve made DIY scrubs in the past with coconut oil. First, by warming slightly in microwave to change its consistency, and adding fine sea salt for a more coarse exfoliation for feet. However, the oil returns back to a hardened consistency that made it nearly impossible to get out of the container. What do you recommend doing to make it a more creamy consistency?
Jessica on 2023-12-20 (5 stars): You can also add a few tbsp of citric acid- preserves it longer and also acts as an exfoliant, unclogs pores, brightens skin and promotes cell turnover!
Laura on 2022-12-24 (5 stars): My daughter gifted me this or similar sugar scrub for Christmas 3- 4 years ago. I thought it was a candle and put it in a kitchen cupboard. During a long power outage I got through all my candles and reached for this and was surprised it was still perfectly good after all those years in a warm kitchen cupboard. The lovely peppermint smell was still strong. When the water came back on I was able to use it even though I didn't know about using a Spoon or keeping the water out. The jar lasted about a month of regular use without a trace of mold, mildew or change in fragrance. Obviously I don't recommend storing it inside the damp shower or putting hands directly in now that I know better, but it's nice to know that this preparation is mold resistant.
Jennifer Smith Anderson on 2021-01-31 (5 stars): 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!
Pam on 2021-08-19 (5 stars): Love this! Very moisturizing
Sally Mvula on 2021-11-08 (5 stars): 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!
Hally on 2021-12-21 (2 stars): 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.
Jill on 2023-11-04 (5 stars): Just in time for holiday gift giving. Can't wait to make this sugar scrub for my friends!
Ann on 2023-11-05 (5 stars): This is a great gift. I love adding eucalyptus oil.
Andrea on 2023-11-05 (5 stars): I love how easy this homemade sugar scrub is to make. It works really well and Its a perfect gift to give friends and family.
Tara on 2023-11-05 (5 stars): Such a fun diy recipe for the upcoming holidays! I love how easily it comes together with only a couple of minutes.
dana on 2023-11-05 (5 stars): This is such a great idea for gifting! Bookmarking this so I can make some for teachers!
Jen on 2023-11-14 (5 stars): We made this for my daughter's birthday party for all her friends to take home. They loved it!
dana on 2023-11-14 (5 stars): This was so easy to make! Been using it for a lip scrub and it's really helped. This cold weather always wrecks havoc on my lippies!
Carrie Robinson on 2023-11-14 (5 stars): This is such a great idea for DIY holiday gifts! I love that they can be customized with essential oils. :)
Karlie on 2023-11-14 (5 stars): I made one batch with orange zest and one batch with eucalyptus oil. I used to make soap so I had lots laying around. These are going to make the best holiday gifts.
Ashley on 2023-11-14 (5 stars): I love that I can whip up a quick sugar scrub for a spa night! This is perfect and it makes my skin feel incredible
Wanda on 2023-12-07 (5 stars): My doctor told me about “sugar scrub“ to look up when she saw my badly dry flaky arm after having my cast removed from my broken wrist! Finding this recipe was a joy! I purchased an expensive refined solid coconut oil and mixed with brown sugar. Rubbed it into my arm and hand and fingers thoroughly For about 10 minutes… Rinsed it and was surprised and happy with the results of smooth skin! Why are people asking do you something else when the recipe was simple! Sugar and solid coconut oil! So inexpensive and surprising of the results. Thank you so much! Sometime I will try and essential oil !
Vella on 2024-08-12 (5 stars): Perfect ✨
Avery on 2024-12-30 (5 stars): Hey, I was also wondering if you can add coffee grounds to this scrub, I have done it before and it worked. Or do you have a different recipe?
Leona Zacharias on 2025-01-21 (5 stars): I just made this as Christmas gifts for my best friends. They were a hit! I was asked to make some more. What a lovely way to treat friends to a spa-like item on a budget. This was so easy to make a large batch of, then even divide up the batter and give it all different scents. I’m not sure if it was just my oils, but I needed more than the recipe called for. That’s ok! Just do it by smell :)
Thanks for the amazing recipe!
Christy McCarthy on 2025-02-24 (5 stars): The coconut oil moved to the top of the jar after a few weeks. Did I do something wrong? Other than that- they're lovely.
