Glow Sugar Scrub (DIY Sugar Body Scrub)
Glow Sugar Scrub – Sugar body scrubs are non-toxic, eco friendly and edible! Learn how to make your very own homemade body scrub with sugar and oil, it’s so easy and makes great gifts too!
This is my favorite homemade body scrub ever!
I’ve been using it for a few years now and figured it was time to share. It’s so easy to make your own sugar scrub from scratch and will leave your skin glowing, soft, and supple!
What Is Sugar Body Scrub Used For?
Sugar body scrubs are great for exfoliating your skin, as they aid in keeping it healthy by removing dead skin cells, lifting away dirt and excess oil, as well as stimulating circulation.
Glycolic acid occurs naturally in sugar and helps cleanse the skin and dissolve dead skin cells. It’s also a humectant and will not strip your skin of its precious natural oils.
Get your glow on & feel the difference after the first use!
Types Of Sugar To Use For Sugar Body Scrubs
There are three main types of sugar you can choose from when making homemade sugar scrubs. Personally, I tend to stick with pure cane sugar, with brown sugar coming in second. Pure cane sugar is just right for my skin type, but I encourage you to try the different types to see what works best for your skin type.
- Brown sugar is the least abrasive making it a good choice for sensitive skin and facial scrubs. Since it is the gentlest, a brown sugar scrub can be used up to 4 times a week.
- Pure cane sugar (unrefined white) is good for all skin types and contains essential nutrients to feed the skin. It can be used 2 – 3 times per week.
- Turbinado sugar (raw) is naturally the coarsest due to its large granules and makes for a great body scrub. It is the least processed of the three sugars and holds the most essential minerals. Body scrubs made with raw sugar can be used up to 2 times a week.
Types Of Oils To Use For Sugar Scrubs
When I first started making my own exfoliating body scrubs, I used extra virgin olive oil but have since changed to jojoba and sweet almond oil. I recommend trying different oils or mix and match to see what works best for you. This section contains affiliate links.
- Apricot Oil absorbs well, is non-greasy, and works as an enriching emollient perfect for soothing skin and preventing dryness. Best suited for sensitive, dry and mature skin types.
- Avocado Oil is heavy in texture yet soothing and leaves no greasy residue. Avocado oil supports skin elasticity, it’s nutrient-rich, hydrating, and great for mature skin.
- Coconut Oil is moisturizing, conditioning, and has antiviral and antibacterial properties. Look for unrefined coconut oil. Or use Fractioned Coconut Oil as it is non-greasy.
- Hazelnut Oil is a pale amber oil with a pleasant smell. It’s similar to almond oil, for which it’s often substituted. This oil is beneficial for oily skin because of its astringent qualities. In addition, it will absorb quickly and is useful as a base for oily or acne-prone skins.
- Hemp Seed Oil is conditioning and regenerative. It is perfect for moisturizing dry, damaged skin and works well for eczema and psoriasis. It reduces skin aging and is anti-inflammatory. Hemp seed oil penetrates the skin quickly. Some describe it as a dry oil. An opened container should be used within 2 to 4 weeks.
- Jojoba Oil (pronounced ho-ho-ba) has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. It’s odorless, non-greasy, and penetrates quickly. This is a good moisturizing conditioner and nourishes all skin types.
- Olive Oil penetrates deeply into the skin, making it good for overly dry skin. One reason olive oil is so powerful is that it’s a “humectant,” which means it draws moisture into your skin. It also is good for soothing dry, itchy skin.
- Sesame Oil is rich in vitamins and minerals. Some of its recommended uses are for psoriasis, eczema, arthritis, and a skin softener.
- Sweet Almond Oil is rich in vitamins E and K, which help skin regenerate and maintain elasticity. It is also a natural UV blocker and promotes better circulation. It absorbs quickly without leaving an oily residue and is a good choice for all skin types.
- Walnut Oil has good moisturizing, anti-aging, regenerative, emollient, and toning properties.
Enjoy coming up with your own sugar scrub for healthy skin that’s glowing, soft and supple!
Do I Need to Add a Preservative?
No, since this body scrub doesn’t contain any water you don’t need to add any kind of preservatives.
How To Make Sugar Scrub
- Place 1 cup of sugar in a small/medium size container and add the oil 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing in between. You will use anywhere from 3 – 5 tablespoons, depending on the oil and sugar.
- The consistency should be sandy, not soupy. If the mix is too soupy, the sugars will dissolve in a day or two and not slough the skin as well, but you will still get added moisture from the oil. If it’s too soupy, add more sugar.
For this sugar body scrub recipe, I used organic brown cane sugar, jojoba oil, and a little lemon juice. I like the added lemon, it’s an uplifting aroma and is good for the skin.
How To Use Sugar Scrub
Shower: At the end of showering, lightly pat your skin with a towel, leaving a little moisture and apply the sugar scrub in a circular motion to your entire body. When using a sugar scrub on your face, gently apply the sugar scrub in a circular motion.
Bath: I find to get the best results, it helps to have a nice soak in the tub first, at least 20 minutes. This will help soften the outer layers of skin and make it easier to exfoliate. You’ll be left with beautiful, glowing, soft, and supple skin!
How To Store
- I keep my jar right in the shower caddy so it’s always handy.
- This sugar scrub is best used within 1 month.
Gather your ingredients and get your sugar scrub on. It’s time to glow!
If you try this edible sugar body scrub, please let me know! Leave a comment and rate it below. I love to hear what you think, or any changes you make.
PrintGlow Sugar Scrub (DIY Sugar Body Scrub)
Get ready for beautiful soft, glowing skin! This edible DIY Sugar Body Scrub is so easy to make and will leave your skin incredibly soft and supple!
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: Makes 1 cup 1x
- Category: How-To
Ingredients
Base
- 1 cup sugar of choice (organic pure cane, brown pure cane, turbinado, etc.)
- 3 tablespoons, give or take, sweet almond oil, jojoba or extra virgin olive oil
optional ingredients:
- 1 tsp vanilla extract w/o alcohol
- few drops of vitamin E oil
- 1/2 small lemon, juice of
- or a few drops of your favorite essential oils such as spearmint, lavender, grapefruit, etc (see notes)
Instructions
Mix: Place sugar in a small/medium size container and add the oil 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing in between. You want the consistency to be sandy, not soupy. If the mix is too soupy, the sugars will dissolve in a day or two and not slough the skin as well, but you will still get added moisture from the oil.
To Use: At the end of showering, pat the skin dry and gently rub the sugar scrub in a circular motion over your body, rinse well. I find it works best after soaking in the tub for at least 20 minutes. Soaking first will help soften the skin, allowing the scrub work to at its best, leaving your skin soft and supple!
It can be used 2 – 4 times a week (depending on the sugar type).
Store: Sugar scrub should be sealed when not in use and stored on a shower caddy or kept in a cabinet. It is best used within 1 month.
Notes
Do not consume if adding essential oils or research before you do to make sure they are ingestible, especially if you are pregnant.
Keywords: homemade sugar scrub, body scrub recipe
Updated: Sugar Body Scrub was first published in August 2012 and updated in December 2019 with new photos. It’s still my favorite homemade body scrub ever!
FOLLOW TSV on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or RSS for more updates and inspiration!
Love this recipe, it is my second time making it. It is so moisturizing!
★★★★★
I had spilled about 2 cups of white pure cane sugar on my counter, which was clean, and didn’t want to throw it all out. So I added a cup of brown sugar, coconut oil, some imitation vanilla and some lemon juice because that was all I had on hand. It is such a sweet, comforting yet crisp scent and honestly I ended up eating about ½ cup of it. Lol.
★★★★★
Hiii would you say it’s okay to use the simply vanilla flavouring like (injestable) like the one you use when you bake? I wanna make a coffee/vanilla with brown sugar and a
Lavender grapefruit with unrefined white raw sugar 😋
Yes, you can edible vanilla (preferably alcohol-free)! We use it all the time. I love your natural scent combination!
Thanks for the recipe!
I’m new to making sugar scrubs and I do have a question. I don’t know how anyone would answer but here’s my question.
I’m still learning what acids can’t and can go together.
Today I made a body/face scrub his g these ingredients
Dark roast coffee grounds
Brown sugar
Citric acid powder (very very little)
Coconut oil
Jojoba oil
Argon oil
Extra virgin olive oil
Pure organic vanilla extract (like a little splash)
And a small amount of fragrance oil.
My question here is, whit these ingredients, are any of the acids from the ingredients fighting each other or blocking each other?
I want to add a couple more ingredients, and remove the olive oil. I do want to add grapeseed oil and sesame oil. I do this know if I should switch out my citric acid powder for lactic acid powder?
But this recipe is nice while taking a week long break from my makeshift recipe. Lol! Thank you!
★★★★★
Great question, Panda Kelly! I’m not too familiar with what acids may block, but I think your ingredients sound marvelous and don’t work against each other. Just keep experimenting till you get it the way you want. Enjoy the sugar scrub, and thanks for the inspiration!
I made your scrub for a craft sale venue. Unfortunately it didn’t sell well and I have quite a few jars left over. I adddd the candy making oils to provide aroma, plus I wanted a non-toxic version in case an older child or young teen purchased it. Could you please provide some suggestions for using or cooking with the leftoverd?
How do I store this?
Great question, Phyllis! You can store the sugar scrub sealed, either in the shower or cabinet. Enjoy the body scrub!
Such a simple recipe, but such a great product!! This is the first time to use a scrub, and I went with brown sugar, sweet almond oil (calendula infused), and a bit of lemon juice. I love it. Planning to make this for holiday gifts – thanks!
★★★★★
Me and my sister did two years ago still this love it so much
★★★★★
good information, will use recipe again
★★★★★
I will definitely make this.