Homemade Sugar Scrub

Sharing is caring!

Do you need a quick, last-minute gift idea that you can whip up in a hurry? This homemade sugar scrub recipe is a super easy DIY project.

Similar to the ones sold in bath and body stores, this sugar scrub will only cost you a fraction of what you would spend at a high-end store and you can use essential oils instead of the toxic scents used in their products. Many of these ingredients are probably already in your kitchen cabinet too.

homemade candy cane sugar scrub
A homemade sugar scrub packed into Mason jars makes a beautiful gift.

Affiliate Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you purchase something through a link. It will not change your cost. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see my disclosures page.)

Why Use a Sugar Scrub?

You may be wondering what does a sugar scrub do? Scrubs are great for removing dead skin cells as well as dirt and grease from your hands.

And sugar scrubs are much better for sensitive skin than salt scrubs. If you’ve ever had a cut on your skin and gotten salt in it, you’ll understand why. The stinging pain can be bad.

A sugar scrub that contains oil can also soften dry skin and moisturize it while removing dirt and dry skin cells. It is a great way to exfoliate and improve your skin tone.

My DIY sugar scrub recipe does contain oil and only uses simple ingredients. It makes a great gift for both men and women.

Ingredients To Make A Sugar Scrub

Let’s talk about ingredients. You will need sugar, obviously, but there are many varieties of sugar nowadays. I actually prefer plain, cheap, white sugar.

Brown sugar would work well too but stay away from larger sugar granules (such as turbinado sugar) as they can be too abrasive. Powdered sugar will not work either. It has been too finely ground to do much scrubbing.

Of course, you could also use coconut sugar, raw sugar, or almost any other type of sugar. But in my opinion, plain white sugar is the best sugar to use in this simple sugar scrub recipe. And white sugar is the cheapest. Save the expensive stuff to eat.

Sugar scrub ingredients
Sugar scrub ingredients

The next ingredient you need is oil. Any kind of regular cooking oil will work, though I prefer coconut oil.

Olive oil, sunflower oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, and even canola oil can be used in a pinch, but if you prefer a liquid oil, grapeseed oil is my top choice. It tends to be less “greasy” than other liquid oils.

The type of oil you choose is mainly a matter of personal preference. Just note that if you choose coconut oil, it will need to be melted first.

The third ingredient in the sugar scrub is glycerin. This is optional, but I feel like it gives the scrub a smoother consistency.

You can order glycerin here, but I have also found it at my local Walmart in the health and beauty aisle, usually near the vitamins.

Food coloring and essential oils are also optional. In the photos, I added 1 drop of red food coloring to one batch and left the other batch white.

I used peppermint essential oil in both batches. Layered in a jar, the sugar scrub resembles a candy cane and smells like one too!

But there are many other options if you aren’t a fan of peppermint. (My favorite essential oils come from Plant Therapy!)

free essential oil blend box to get the list free

Here Are Some Scent/Color Combos To Get You Started:

  • Candy cane (peppermint sugar scrub) – Peppermint essential oil and red food coloring in one batch and peppermint essential oil and no color in the other batch. Great for Christmas.
  • Coconut lime – Use virgin coconut oil and lime essential oil plus green food coloring.
  • Orange – Use orange essential oil and orange food coloring.
  • Lavender sugar scrub – Use lavender essential oil and purple food coloring.
  • Lemon sugar scrub – Use lemon essential oil and yellow food coloring. Great for Mother’s Day.
  • Get many other essential oil blends by grabbing my free printable above.

Containers For Your Homemade Sugar Scrub

You will also need an airtight container to pack your sugar scrub in. My favorite containers are 4 oz. mason jars. You can find some really decorative ones or stick to the traditional jelly jar.

You can also use plastic containers similar to these. However, be sure your container is easy to fill. It can be difficult to get the sugar scrub into a container with a small opening.

If you plan on using the scrub in the shower, plastic containers are probably better so you don’t risk dropping a glass jar and breaking it.

Kids Can Make Homemade Scrubs Too!

This is a great project to do with the kids since there is no stove involved. You could give each child a bowl and have them add the ingredients to their own bowl and mix it together.

If they over or under measure by a little, it will still work out OK. This recipe is very forgiving.

Each child can choose their own different scents and food coloring to make a very unique gift. Think of how special the kids will feel, giving gifts to friends and relatives that they made!

How To Make A Sugar Scrub

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup oil, if using coconut oil you will need to melt it first (I like grapeseed the best, but olive oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, and sweet almond oil will all work too.)
  • 2 Tablespoons glycerin
  • 1-2 drops food coloring
  • 15 drops essential oil

Tools Needed:

  • 1 bowl for each color or scent
  • measuring cup
  • spoon or spatula
  • containers to put the scrub in

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a bowl. Stir or smash together with a spatula. Pack into containers for gift giving. To make layered sugar scrubs, pack your first color into the container and smooth the top.

Then add your second color, packing and smoothing as you go. Continue until the container is filled.

Four layers are plenty for a 4 oz. container. A double batch of this recipe filled 5 mason jars (4 oz.) almost perfectly. (One recipe of white, one recipe of red.)

To use the scrub: remove a small amount of sugar scrub and massage it onto wet skin in a circular motion. Rinse off with warm water.

You can get a free printable of this sugar scrub tutorial below.

free essential oil blend box to get the list free

You will want to include a tag or label with instructions about how to use the scrub. This sugar scrub would be a great addition to a spa gift kit made from some of my other DIY posts.

Homemade Sugar Scrub
Cook Time
15 mins
 

This homemade sugar scrub makes fun, inexpensive gifts for family and friends.

Course: DIY
Cuisine: DIY
Keyword: sugar scrub
Ingredients
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup oil, if using coconut oil, melt it first
  • 2 Tablespoons glycerin
  • 2 drops food coloring, optional
  • 15 drops essential oils
Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients to a bowl. Stir or smash together with a spatula.

  2. Pack into containers for gift giving.

Recipe Notes

 To make layered sugar scrubs, pack your first color into the container and smooth the top.

Then add your second color, packing and smoothing as you go. Continue until the container is filled.

Four layers are plenty for a 4 oz. container. A double batch of this recipe filled 5 mason jars (4 oz.) almost perfectly. (One recipe of white, one recipe of red.)

To use the scrub: remove a small amount of sugar scrub and massage onto wet skin. Rinse off.

Candy cane sugar scrub
Candy cane sugar scrub-Aren’t the layers pretty?

Need More DIY Gift Ideas?

homemade sugar scrub
This easy sugar scrub can be made at home in minutes and will save you money!

Sharing is caring!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




4 Comments

  1. These sugar scrubs are just too cute! Love how you layered them. I have tried the sugar scrubs before, but I didn’t add the glycerin. I’ll have to try your recipe as it sounds like a better recipe.