Glow Sugar Scrub (DIY Body Scrub)
Glow Sugar Scrub – Sugar body scrubs are non-toxic, eco-friendly, and edible! Learn how to make your own homemade body scrub with 2 simple ingredients (sugar and oil). It’s so easy and makes great gifts too!
This is my all-time favorite homemade body scrub, and I have been using it for years!
I want to share with you how easy it is to make your own sugar scrub from scratch with simple ingredients that will leave your skin glowing, soft, and supple!
Sugar Scrub 101
Sugar scrubs, made from sugar granules and a moisturizing base, such as oil, are excellent for exfoliating and moisturizing the skin!
When applied to the skin and rubbed in gentle circular motions, the sugar granules help to slough off dead skin cells, while the moisturizing base helps to hydrate and nourish the skin.
Glycolic acid occurs naturally in sugar which 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.
The combination of sugar and oil recommended in our recipe makes homemade DIY sugar scrubs a great natural alternative to commercial exfoliants that may contain harsh chemicals.
🌟 Sugar Scrub Benefits
Sugar scrubs can be used on various parts of the body, including the face, lips, hands, feet, and body. Some of the benefits include:
- Smoother, softer skin: Regular use of sugar body scrubs can help to remove dead skin cells, revealing smoother, softer skin.
- Improved skin texture: Sugar scrubs can help to improve skin texture by unclogging pores and removing impurities.
- Enhanced skin hydration: The moisturizing base of sugar body scrubs helps to hydrate and nourish the skin, leaving it feeling soft and supple.
- Brighter skin tone: With regular use, they can help promote cell turnover, which can lead to a brighter, more even skin tone.
Get your glow on & feel the difference after the first use!
What Kind of Sugar Can I Use?
There are three main types of sugar you can choose from when making homemade sugar scrubs.
- 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.
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.
Types Of Oils 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 mixing and matching 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 and conditioning and has antiviral and antibacterial properties. Look for unrefined coconut oil. You can also use Fractioned Coconut Oil, which 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 skin.
- 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. It is recommended for psoriasis, eczema, and arthritis and as 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!
Can I add Flavors or Smells?
Yes, you can make a variety of body scrubs with different flavors and smells by using essential oils (orange, lemon, grapefruit, lavender, peppermint, spearmint, bergamot, rose, vanilla, eucalyptus, patchouli), alcohol-free vanilla extract, cinnamon, lemon juice, etc. See more about how to use them in the recipe card below.
Do I Need to Add a Preservative?
No, since this sugar body scrub doesn’t contain any water, you don’t need to mix in any kind of added preservative.
➡️ How To Make Sugar Scrub
Making your own exfoliating scrub is as easy as can be!
Place 1 cup of sugar in a small to medium-sized container and add the oil one 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 recipe, I used organic brown cane sugar, jojoba oil, and a little lemon juice. I like the added lemon, it has an uplifting aroma and is good for the skin.
🛁 How To Use Sugar Scrub
You can use your body scrub after a shower or bath for the best results:
Shower: At the end of showering, lightly pat your skin with a dry towel, leaving a little moisture. Scoop up about 1 – 2 tablespoons in the palm of your hand and apply the sugar scrub to sections of the body, gently rubbing in a circular motion. Rinse off the excess sugar granules when done. Use can safely use this edible sugar scrub on your entire body.
Bath: For the best results, I find a nice soak in the tub first, for at least 20 minutes, works wonderfully. Soaking in the tub softens the outer layers of the skin, making it easier to exfoliate and scuff off dead skin cells. Once you are done soaking, lightly pat your skin with a dry towel, and apply the scrub in a circular motion anywhere on your body. Rinse off when done. You’ll be left with beautiful, glowing, soft, and supple skin! 🌟
How To Store
- I keep my jarred scrub right in the shower caddy, so it’s always handy.
- This sugar scrub is best used within 1 month.
Commonly Asked Questions
What does a sugar scrub do?
A sugar scrub is used to exfoliate and moisturize the skin. When you apply a sugar scrub to your skin and rub it in gentle circular motions, the sugar granules work to remove dead skin cells and other impurities that may be clogging your pores. The moisturizing base in the scrub helps to hydrate and protect the skin from dryness and other environmental stressors, leaving it feeling soft and supple. Using a sugar body scrub can help to improve the texture and appearance of your skin, making it a popular choice for anyone looking to pamper their skin and achieve a healthy, radiant glow.
Do you use sugar scrub before or after body wash?
It’s best to use your sugar scrub after using body wash or any type of body product. We recommend using your scrub at the very end of showering or bathing and then giving yourself a quick rinse before stepping out. This ensures you do not scrub off the moisturizing effects, leaving you with soft and supple skin.
How often should you use a sugar scrub?
You can safely use a sugar scrub at least 3 – 4 times a week.
Can I use Vaseline to make a sugar scrub?
Yes, the ratio of petroleum jelly to sugar will be much different than using oil and sugar. Start off by mixing equal parts of Vaseline jelly and sugar together in a small container or bowl. For a grainier scrub, add more sugar, and for a creamier scrub, add more Vaseline jelly. Add 3 – 4 drops of vanilla extract or your favorite essential oil, and mix well.
If you try this 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 Body Scrub)
Get ready for beautifully soft, glowing skin! This edible DIY Sugar Scrub is easy to make and will leave your skin incredibly soft and supple. Give your body a treat with our homemade sugar scrub!
- 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, oil of choice (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.
More flavors and smells to consider: Essential oils – orange, lemon, grapefruit, lavender, peppermint, spearmint, bergamot, rose, vanilla, eucalyptus, patchouli. Alternatively, add 1/2 – 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon or 1 – 2 teaspoons of culinary lavender.
Webstory: Sugar Scrub Story
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Hi! How many drops of lavender essential oil should I add please?
I recommend 1 – 2 drops – a little goes a long way. You can always add another drop if it’s not enough fragrance for you. Enjoy the sugar scrub!
This scrub was great but I was wondering if my body is supposed to be like oily it may be a dumb question but this is my first one
Great question, Haiden! Yes, your skin will feel a little oily, but it will sink into your skin. If it bothers you, you can rinse well with warm water to remove as much as you can before drying off. Hope that helps and you enjoyed the body scrub!
Does brown sugar and olive oil work?
Yes, you can use brown sugar and olive oil!
After rinsing, does the coconut oil when solidified is not good and can clogged your pipeline? Let me know who tried the virgin coconut oil.
i am trying but mine is lemon and sugar scrub t works amazing too
Haven’t tried it yet but wondering if it can be made using 2 different oils? Also can eucalyptus be used?
Yes, to all your questions! Although I have not tried, you should be able to safely use 2 different oils. And eucalyptus oil will be great too! Would love to know what combo you used, it’s super helpful to others as well.
Yes and yes!
I am trying this recipe with Hemp Oil and Turbinado Sugar. Have you tried it with Hemp and/or Turbinado? I am going to be doing these in 4oz jars for a thank you gift to guests at a baby shower.
What a nice gift! I haven’t tried that combination so I would test one first, starting with a small amount of oil and working your way up. You just don’t want the mixture to be soupy. The turbinado will not be as granular, but it should be fine.
thank you for the quick reply. i am trying now. should the sugar stick together or be more separated, if that makes sense. the hemp is not a great smell but i have added lavender essential oil and it’s much better. i have already added 3 tablespoons so wondering how far I should go before it’s too much oil.
Thank you for sharing the recipe. I just tried the first time and used lavender esst. oil. It worked great. I was giving it try and now will share with my residents in my memory care for an activity! Thank you again.
This scrub is great. After using this, my body feels so soft and beautiful. Thank you very much for this recipe.❤
Hi there
Want to try this. I’ve never worked with coconut oil in this manner. Do I need to melt it first? Or, just combine with ingredients and let it form on its own?
Thanks much!
Great question, Renee! You can mix the coconut oil in both its hardened or liquid state. I think it will be much easier to mix if you gently warm it first to soften or melt it, and then mix with the sugar. Hope that helps. Enjoy the sugar scrub!
I’m pretty sure a preservative is needed. Once it gets in contact with water especially in the hot shower (as moisture can get to it from the steam and possibly handling it with wet hands) that mold, bacteria can form.
Thanks for chiming in, Renee! I’ve made this scrub countless times and have never had an issue with mold or bacteria. I’ve had it in the shower for weeks, sometimes months at a time. It’s not to say it can’t happen, but in most situations I think it’s perfectly fine without the need for a preservative. But if one can use it within a few weeks that would be ideal. I do recommend making small batches at a time.