This article was co-authored by Lorena Barcal. Lorena Barcal is a Clinical Herbalist, Clean Beauty Specialist, and Writer for IslandBeauty.co, a blog dedicated to sharing the benefits of using all-natural beauty products and recipes created by herbalists. Lorena specializes in studying and developing natural alternatives for beauty products. After finishing her herbal studies, Lorena managed an herbal lab in Barcelona developing natural beauty products. As a writer for IslandBeauty.co, she shares knowledge and insights to promote the natural beauty industry.
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Why spend a lot on a brand name sugar scrub when you can make it for next-to-nothing at home? Sugar scrubs are great for exfoliating and they don't dry out your skin like salt scrubs and have no negative environmental impact like beaded scrubs.
Steps
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Get a container. You'll need a small container to mix and keep your sugar scrub in. Find a clean container with a lid that you can spare for at least a few days until you've used all of your scrub.
- This recipe[1] makes about 2/3 of a cup of scrub, although you can double it to make more. Size your container appropriately.
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Put oil into the container. Pour 3 tablespoons of olive oil into your container.
- You can also add 1-2 gel caps of vitamin E oil if you want to make this scrub even better for your skin.[2] Simply piece the cap and squeeze it into the oil. If you do this, however, make sure you let the scrub soak on your skin for a few minutes before rinsing it off.
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Add in some honey. Now, add in 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) of honey. Any kind will do, but the thicker the honey is, the better.
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Add in the sugar. Pour in 1/2 cup of real sugar. This can be any sugar but raw sugar will be the harshest while white sugar will be the least harsh. Brown sugar falls somewhere in the middle.
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Stir it up and use as needed. Now that you have all of your ingredients in the container, mix everything together. If it seems to wet, you can add more sugar. If it's really dry, try adding half a spoon of oil.
- Store the finished product out on your counter or in a cupboard. Putting it in the fridge will only make it go hard.
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Get a container. You'll need a container to mix and keep your sugar scrub in. This recipe makes about 2 1/2 cups of scrub, so you'll want to find a container big enough. Alternatively you can split the scrub between several smaller containers or halve the recipe.
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Put oil into the container. Pour 3 tablespoons of coconut oil into your container. Choose cold-pressed coconut oil since it preserves more of the nutrients.[3]
- You can also add 1-2 gel caps of vitamin E oil if you want to make this scrub even better for your skin.[4] Simply piece the cap and squeeze it into the oil. If you do this, however, make sure you let the scrub soak on your skin for a few minutes before rinsing it off.
-
Add in some honey. Now, add in 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) of honey. Any kind will do, but the thicker the honey is, the better.
-
Add in the sugar. Pour in 1/2 cup of real sugar. This can be any sugar but raw sugar will be the harshest while white sugar will be the least harsh. Brown sugar falls somewhere in the middle.
-
Stir it up and use as needed. Now that you have all of your ingredients in the container, mix everything together. If it seems to wet, you can add more sugar. If it's really dry, try adding half a spoon of oil.
- Store the finished product out on your counter or in a cupboard. Putting it in the fridge will only make it go turn hard.
-
Get a container. You'll need a small container to mix and keep your sugar scrub in. Find a clean container with a lid that you can spare for at least a few days until you've used all of your scrub.
- This recipe makes about 2/3 of a cup of scrub, although you can double it to make more. Size your container appropriately.
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Put oil into the container. Pour 3 tablespoons of Johnson & Johnson Lavender Baby Oil (or another lavender body oil) into your container.[5]
- You can also add 1-2 gel caps of vitamin E oil if you want to make this scrub even better for your skin. Simply piece the cap and squeeze it into the oil. If you do this, however, make sure you let the scrub soak on your skin for a few minutes before rinsing it off.
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Crush up some dried lavender and mix it into the oil. Using a separate bowl and a blunt object (like the handle of a hammer), crush up some dried lavender. Place the crushed lavender into the oil.
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Add in the sugar. Pour in 1/2 cup of real sugar. This can be any sugar but raw sugar will be the harshest while white sugar will be the least harsh. Brown sugar falls somewhere in the middle.
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Stir it up and use as needed. Now that you have all of your ingredients in the container, mix everything together. If it seems to wet, you can add more sugar. If it's really dry, try adding half a spoon of oil.
Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat are the benefits of sugar scrubs?Barbie RitzmanBarbie Ritzman is a Beauty Specialist, Influencer, and the Owner of Barbie’s Beauty Bits. With over 10 years of experience in the beauty industry, she specializes in skincare and aesthetics. Barbie studied marketing at Tidewater Community College and holds a Certificate from the Media Buying Academy. For her work, she’s won Beauty Influencer of the Year - The USA and was featured in “The Allure 50,” which includes the year’s 50 most influential people in the beauty industry.
Beauty & Skincare SpecialistSugar scrubs offer a physical way to remove excess dead cells off the skin’s surface, leaving it smooth and glowing. They also help prep the skin for the better absorption of skincare products. -
QuestionHow often should you use sugar scrubs?Barbie RitzmanBarbie Ritzman is a Beauty Specialist, Influencer, and the Owner of Barbie’s Beauty Bits. With over 10 years of experience in the beauty industry, she specializes in skincare and aesthetics. Barbie studied marketing at Tidewater Community College and holds a Certificate from the Media Buying Academy. For her work, she’s won Beauty Influencer of the Year - The USA and was featured in “The Allure 50,” which includes the year’s 50 most influential people in the beauty industry.
Beauty & Skincare SpecialistThat depends on each case. That said, sugar scrubs are a gentler exfoliating option, which is good for people who seem to overdo it when exfoliating the skin, damaging and irritating it. -
QuestionCan I just use a scrub that's made with nothing but sugar?Community AnswerYes, but that would only exfoliate your skin, not moisturize it. You would want to use some kind of moisturizer on your skin after the sugar to prevent drying and irritation.
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Tips
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If you don't have honey, that's ok! I have made and sold plenty of sugar scrubs with and without this ingredient. Do not use maple syrup or molasses substitutes, that has zero points! Honey is used not because of its consistency, but because it is very moisturizing. All of those syrups are not meant for your skin. That being said, you can substitute oils for similar oils,[6] and you can always add a few drops of essential oils into the mix for scent/properties.Thanks
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Instead of using lavender baby oil, consider using mostly olive or coconut oil, then adding a few drops of essential oil to give it a relaxing scent. The best ones are lavender, mint, or citrus.Thanks
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Try using Honey to make your scrub!Thanks
Tips from our Readers
- Start off with a hot shower and a soft flannel to get rid of any dirt. Then apply the exfoliating sugar scrub, and rinse it off with cold water.
- Wear an exfoliating glove when you apply your sugar scrub for additional cleaning power.
Warnings
- Do not exfoliate too often. This can irritate the skin.Thanks
- This will attract ants if left in bathtub.Thanks
Things You'll Need
- Bowl
- Mixing supplies
References
- ↑ https://michellephan.com/diy-sugar-and-olive-oil-scrub/
- ↑ https://www.ideahacks.com/homemade-body-scrub-recipes/
- ↑ Lorena Barcal. Clinical Herbalist & Clean Beauty Specialist. Expert Interview. 28 June 2020.
- ↑ Lorena Barcal. Clinical Herbalist & Clean Beauty Specialist. Expert Interview. 28 June 2020.
- ↑ https://styletips101.com/diy-beauty/diy-lavender-sugar-scrub.html
- ↑ https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/how-to-substitute-oil-in-cold-process-recipes/
About This Article
If you want to make a simple sugar scrub, add 3 tablespoons of olive oil or coconut oil, plus 2 tablespoons of honey to a sealable container. Then, add 1/2 cup of sugar and mix everything together. Use raw sugar if you want a strong scrub, white sugar for a mild scrub, or brown sugar for something in between. If the scrub seems too wet even after you've mixed it thoroughly, add more sugar. If your scrub is too dry, add some more oil until it's the right consistency. Scroll down to learn how to make a lavender sugar scrub!
Reader Success Stories
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"My first time making a sugar scrub, and found it to be so easy! Thank you, turned out great."