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It’s no secret that whenever possible I love to DIY. One thing you NEVER need to buy again, is expensive store-bought sugar scrub. This luxurious, skin-loving beauty product is the easiest homemade beauty project and can be made with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry: sugar and oil! I’ll even argue that it’s the only sugar scrub recipe you will ever need.

Here's What You'll Need.

This was the very first DIY beauty product I ever made. It’s fool proof! And it can be dressed up in a million ways. Here is the basic recipe.

1 part oil (coconut is my favorite)
2 parts sugar

That’s it!

What is Sugar Scrub?

Sugar scrub is an exfoliating/moisturizing miracle that leaves skin healthy and silky-smooth. It’s a mixture of oil and sugar which gently, yet effectively, improves the health and quality of your skin. It’s particularly useful on all your rough bits (like my heels which haven’t seen the light of day in 8 months…)

How Does Sugar Scrub Work?

Sugar works in several ways to improve skin texture and encourage cell turnover. Firstly, sugar is a natural humectant, which means it basically pulls moisture into your skin like a magnet. Sugar is also a source of glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid. This means that it is a mild chemical exfoliant which helps to loosen dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. And of course, sugar is a mild abrasive topical exfoliate, which works to slough off dead dry skin. Who knew this kitchen staple was such a skin care miracle!?

Coconut oil is deeply moisturizing and one of my very favorite substances on the planet. Rich in nourishing fatty acids, it is antibacterial, anti-fungal, antimicrobial, and reduces inflammation.

What Kind of Sugar Makes a Good Scrub?

You can use either white or brown sugar in this recipe. I have used both and like them for different purposes. I like organic cane sugar for a courser scrub for feet and rough bits. Brown sugar will produce a slightly less abrasive product and I prefer this for a regular all over scrub.

What Kind of Oil Should I Use?

I like coconut oil the best for making DIY sugar scrub, but other carrier oils can be used as well. Coconut oil will produce a thicker product since it is solid at room temperature. But olive oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, etc. can also be used. Or try combining your favorite skin care oils!

How to Dress Up Your DIY Sugar Scrub

Sometimes simple is best. But this 2 ingredient sugar scrub is a blank canvas! Adding essential oils or a little vanilla extract turns this DIY beauty staple into a spa-worthy product. And they make the absolute easiest last minute gifts! I also love using my own infused oil to make the sugar scrub. (Try it with infused chamomile oil for a really skin-soothing treatment.)

How to Make the Easiest DIY Sugar Scrub

1/2 cup sugar
¼ cup coconut oil (or oils of choice)
Optional extras: 10-15 drops of essential oil, 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Soften coconut oil slightly by setting it in a jar in warm water. Do not melt.
Combine sugar and oil (and any optional fragrance ingredients). Mix well.
Store in a clean, air tight container.

How to Use Sugar Scrub

I have pretty sensitive skin, so I don’t usually use sugar scrub on my face, but some folks swear by it. It can also be used as a lip scrub!

Using a clean dry finger, or a small spoon, scoop out a small amount of sugar scrub. Gently rub onto feet, hands, or body using fingertips or a washcloth. Allow the mixture to sit on skin for a few minutes for maximum benefit. Rinse away scrub.

Sugar scrub can be applied to wet or dry skin. You can definitely use this in the shower, just be aware of any slippery oil residue on the floor!

This sugar scrub contains no preservatives, but should last you at least a few months. For best results take care to keep water (and dirty fingers) out of the jar.

While your DIY sugar scrub will leave your skin feeling oh-so-soft, beware of over use. It’s best to limit use to a couple times a week.

Some Spa-Worthy Sugar Scrub Combos to Try

Lemon Mint Kitchen Hand Scrub

¼ cup mint-infused* coconut oil

½ cup organic cane sugar

10 drops lemon essential oil

(*or 3 drops peppermint essential oil)

“Manly” Foot Scrub

¼ cup coconut oil

½ cup white sugar

4 drops of cedarwood essential oil

8 drops bergamot essential oil

Gentle Chamomile Scrub

¼ cup chamomile infused coconut oil

½ cup organic brown sugar

Cookie Dough Sugar Scrub

¼ cup coconut oil

½ cup organic brown sugar

¼ tsp vanilla extract

All-Over Lavender Scrub

¼ cup coconut oil

½ cup white sugar

8 drops lavender essential oil

If you’ve never made any homemade products before, this is your gateway project! Give it a shot and let me know what luxurious combos you dream up. Time to bust out those sandals!

Yield: 6 oz

The Easiest DIY Sugar Scrub (Just 2 Ingredients!)

This is the only sugar scrub recipe you will ever need! Luxurious and skin-loving, it's the easiest homemade beauty product and the perfect last minute gift.

Active Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Difficulty easy

Materials

1/4 cup coconut oil (or other oil of choice)
1/2 cup sugar (white or brown)
Optional extras: 10-15 drops of essential oil, 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Tools

Clean dry container

Instructions

Soften coconut oil slightly by placing it in a jar and setting it in a bowl of warm water. Do not melt.
Combine sugar and oil (and any optional fragrance ingredients) in a small bowl. Mix well.
Store in a clean, air tight container.

Notes

How to Use:

Sugar scrub can be applied to wet or dry skin. You can definitely use this in the shower, just be aware of any slippery oil residue on the floor!

This sugar scrub contains no preservatives, but should last you at least a few months. For best results take care to keep water (and dirty fingers) out of the jar.