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By Andrea Vaughan | Updated on
Sugar scrubs are great for the entire body. Even the most basic recipe does a brilliant job at exfoliating, moisturizing and rejuvenating skin. The following recipes are created using common kitchen pantry ingredients, but you can be as inventive as you want, once you get the basics down! Making homemade sugar scrub recipes is a frugal and fun way have a spa day, without having to leave your home.
The Basics:
Only 2 basic ingredients are needed to make a super simple sugar scrub recipe. From there, the possibilities are infinite!
- 75% sugar
- 25% oil
I typically use organic white sugar cane, but traditional sugar works great, too. You want to select a sugar that has a decent grain size, and that won’t dissolve instantly in the oil. For the oil, I usually turn to coconut, olive, grapeseed or apricot kernal. You could alternatively use castor oil or vegetable glycerin.
To make a sugar scrub, combine sugar and oil together, and place in a bowl or jar. Apply sugar scrub liberally to body and massage in. Rinse off with warm water. Sugar scrubs should last for quite a long time on a shelf, as long as it has a lid on it. I have kept it up to 6 months, but be mindful of your extra additions when determining how long to store it.
The Extras:
Here are just a few additions I have used in body scrubs, which work well. Really, any healthy, natural product is a great addition, so be inventive and use your imagination when creating your own homemade sugar scrubs!
- Essential Oils: I use essential oils in almost every homemade cleaning or beauty product I make. Essential oils have varying properties that are healing and healthful for the body. Some of my favorite oils to add to beauty products are: lavender, wild orange, frankincense, peppermint (diluted), eucalyptus, lemon, and grapefruit. Always do research on essential oil safety before using them for the first time.
- Fresh Herbs and Roots: Herbs such as basil, thyme, and rosemary lend terrific scent and medicinal value to sugar scrubs and other homemade beauty products. Ginger is another exceptional addition to homemade products. You can find my recipe for ginger and coconut oil sugar body scrub, here.
- Other Natural Ingredients: Some other great ideas include honey, fresh citrus juice, vitamin E oil, jojoba oil, and aloe vera.
After the Scrub:
To feelreallypampered after your sugar scrub, try using these:
- Shea Body Butter Recipe: A decadent body butter made from organic shea butter, coconut oil and olive oil that will leave you feeling luxuriously moisturized.
- Coconut Oil Deep Conditioner: Treat your hair next with this deliciously fragrant deep conditioner to restore the body, shine and beauty to your hair.
- 10 Simple Exfoliating Face Scrubs: Although most sugar scrubs are safe to use on your face, you may be looking for something a little more delicate. Here are 10 homemade recipes to keep your face looking flawless.
Have you made your own sugar scrub before? What is your favorite scent to add?
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Toni saysHi! I just started making scrubs and I noticed after a week or so the once fresh strong, but not too over powering scents started to fade a bit. Is this normal for the salt and sugar scrubs that are homemade?
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- Elle says
Hello, my sugar scrub keeps rising. Do you happen to know why please?
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- Teresa says
I read somewhere you can add Braggs Vinegar to help scrubs last longer. Have you ever heard of or tried this?
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- Jessica says
Hi I want to make a coffee scrub using instant coffee. Do you know how long the shelf life would be?
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- hjkhulj says
well, regular coffee scrubs that i have made start to mold after a few weeks. (yuck). Not sure if its the same with the instant coffee.
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- Kimmie jo says
I am new to this so I have many questions. First I bought a sugar scrub that I LOVE so I am trying to make it myself. The ingredients are Cocoa Butter,Coconut oil, Shea Butter, Avocado oil, Jojoba, Vit E, Frankincense and Lavender and then Raw cane Sugar. I have no idea how much or really how to blend it so can you give any advise to me. Thanks! OH also should I have bought Cocoa Butter and Shea butter that have no other ingredients in them?
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- Brandy says
What specific sugar do you use? 1 -2% ratio of essential oils equals how many drops if you are using a cup of sugar and 1/3 cup of oil?
See Also7 Healing Detox Bath RecipesReply
- infokotabekasi says
Thanks for finally writing about >Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipe – Homemade for Elle
<Liked it!Reply
- Kimberly says
Hi,
Thank you for posting this interesting recipe. How long do you think the scrub will last before it goes bad since I’m using natural ingredients? Thanks for your help.
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- Andrea says
Hi Kimberly,
I have kept mine for a couple months in a mason jar. If you keep it clean and free of water, I imagine it should last a good 6 – 12 months.
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- Jeff S. says
How much scent do you add? Can you use essential oils as well as fragrance oils?
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- Andrea says
Hi Jeff,
The only scents I add are essential oils, I don’t use fragrance oils. I keep around a 1 – 2% ratio of essential oils. Hope that helps!
Andrea
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- Calista1 says
Hi,what a great blog you have!Quick question;after using the sugar scrub on the face/body, do you have to wash again with soapy water?Or can you take a bath after this?
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- Andrea says
It just depends on how your skin feels. I usually don’t wash again with soap and water, but it can feel oily, if you’re not used to it. I also apply it while in the bath or shower. Hope that helps!
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- Hana says
Hi , I wanted to know the exact measurements for this scrub… would you put a cup of sugar and a 1/2 cup oil?
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- Andrea says
For 1 cup of sugar, you should add 1/3 cup of oil.
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