Homemade Sugar Body Scrub
February 8, 2008 by Jennifer
As promised, one solution to overpriced, way over packaged, chemical laden, body care products. I make a lot of homemade body care stuff – but this one is my favorite because it’s so good it’s gift worthy. Perfect to make in bulk, and give away to friends. Some people I know make this with salt – I have this lame tendency to try and chop veggies like a knife pro (which I’m not) and cut my fingers – salt and cuts don’t mix. That’s why I use sugar. But you can use salt.
Supplies:
- 2 cups sugar – I like a mix of coarse natural brown, and basic white; it makes a good scrub worthy feel. You can use just coarse brown or just plain white though. Do not use soft brown baking sugar.
- Oil: I like apricot or light olive best. Any oil that’s natural and from a nut or fruit will work. Baby oil (non-scented) will also work. Do not use cooking oil like corn – that will make a funky smell and a too-slick feel.
- Vanilla beans: Use whole organic, or in a pinch I’ve used organic vanilla extract (seriously, I was hard up). However, extract will darken your mix – no biggie though.
- Organic lavender essential oil.
- Any old container with a lid.
Instructions:
- Place vanilla beans in dry sugar. Cover and let sit for a week or two – the longer it sits the better the smell. If using vanilla extract, skip this step.
- Remove vanilla beans. Cover sugar until saturated (but not over saturated) with oil. Short on oil? You can also use a mix of oil and water – I know the two don’t mix, but in sugar it will work.
- Add a few drops of lavender oil. If you’re using vanilla extract add a few drops now.
- Use to scrub down your body either before you start the shower or during. Rinse well. Do not use on face or hair.
- This last a long time – i.e. it won’t mold or anything before you use it up. You can keep it in your bathroom. Also, contrary to what you may think, you won’t be sticky. You don’t need to wash this off with soap; plain water is fine.
One, you will feel smooth and smell delicious. Two, your bathroom will also smell great all day long. I’ve been reusing the same container for years. If you want to give this as a gift, look for short, squat, wide glass containers at thrift stores. You can also mix this up with various herbs and essential oils.
Other nice mixes I’ve tried include:
- Grapefruit and peppermint
- Orange, clove, and lemon
- Tea tree
- Basil and lemon
- Cedar and lavender
- Coffee (I ground a bit of espresso) and grapefruit
- Almond and orange
Really the sky is the limit. The best thing about homemade body scrubs is how versatile and cheap they are. If you mess up, no big loss. It’s natural and degrades so no worries. If you don’t have essential oils around they can be a be more costly to get started with. I use oils for everything though so I have many. Also, one small bottle of organic lavender oil will make tons of this stuff. TONS. I saw some sugar scrub at the store and it was $22 – holy. I can make batches for that much money. Plus mine has no artificial anything in it.
Give it a try, you’ll love it.
This may be a silly question but I do not know the answer so I am hoping that you can help me… I have both almond and grapeseed oil at home already, but I purchased them at the grocery store for cooking with. I saw both these oils in the health food store skin care section in much smaller bottles. I am not sure if there is a difference between them or if I can use what I already have?
@Tia – there are almost no silly questions
They bottle both types of oil for body and kitchen, and then put them in different areas of the store. BUT they’re the same deal. You can use the oils you already have. I sometimes use the olive oil in my kitchen for scrubs. The only cooking oil you should never use is ACTUAL cooking oil, like wesson-like (corn, etc).
Jennifer, thanks so much. I have book marked your site for future reference. I just made my first bar of soap and now I am off to try and make this scrub. Thanks.
I enjoyed reading about this scrub, but wanted to correct a couple answers. Jojoba is not an oil, but a liquid wax. It has a shelf life of up to 5 years, maybe longer, but it varies according to temperature, storage vessel, heat, and other intangibles. Mixed with sugar shouldn’t hurt it’s shelf life.
Some might consider coconut oil, which also has an almost unlimited shelf life, but you must like the smell. Sunflower oil is non-comedogenic, can be used on the face, and has the highest vit e of any common oil, and has a very long shelf life. And of course, Argan oil is simply the best in terms of ferulic acid and antioxidants, and vit E, a whole host of things. That would be my mix, jojoba and Argan.
Like your site, thanks for creating it.
Rick Machado
Machado Farms
Hello again,
I want to refine my last comment.
Jojoba oil, really an ester, or liquid wax, will never go rancid or oxidize, and has an unlimited shelf life, according to Jojoba farmers and other sellers of this fine product.
The reason it won’t go rancid has to do with it’s molecular structure. It is really an anti-oxidant, and cannot oxidize, and thus, can’t go rancid.
High heat will not affect it at all, but sunlight on a clear jar containing it may affect it’s molecular structure. So store it in a brown or dark bottle.
Coconut oil also has an unlimited shelf life, being a saturated fat. It also tolerates extreme high heat.
Commercially extracted Argan oil has a shelf life of 1-2 years and tolerates extreme high heat very well.
Links for you-
http://www.armchair.com/warp/jojoba1.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argan_oil
http://www.coconutoil.com/litalee.htm
Hope I explained it better this time around.
Rick Machado
Machado Farms
I love sugar scrubs!
Try my favorite recipe:
2/3 cup sugar
2 mashed strawberries
6-8 drops rose/jojoba oil
HELP, I’m looking for sugar scrubs i can use on my sons filthy dirty feet.O.K. so i’ll tie him down to apply this but anyway,i love the recipe but i dont want the lavender (too girly for him) what other scents could i use.Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks Teresa
oh another note i think i’ll use water instead of oil for his feet dont want any falls-how much water would i use? Thanks Teresa
@Teresa – no matter if you use oil or water, you just use enough to saturate the sugar, but it shouldn’t be overly watery and drippy. More guy-friendly scents are amber, anything citrus, or mint. You can also use tea tree which is naturally anti-bacterial and cleanses well (since feet tend to be messy).
Thank You Jennifer, my son is only 7 are those oils safe for him?
@Teresa – my son has been using essential oils no problem since he was born BUT all people are different. You should read: http://www.treehuggingfamily.com/homemade-beauty-products-safety-101/ before you use any essential oil.
I am getting into making my own body care stuff for many reasons, save money, help the environment, and have great skin!! this is a simple and great recipe for body scrub. have fun and use different essential oils, even give away for cheap but great christmas presents!! it makes your skin feel great!! i use safflower oil as well.
@Jamie – cool beans. It really does save money and make for a great gift.
Hey Jenny…what if u mix the sugar with honey and olive oil…is that ok…cus i dont have any essential oils…r they important and what do they do?…
Also, can u give me a good proportion for this mix?
can i also use coconut oil??
i have try lots of different acne treatments but not a lot of them worked. but when they did they only worked for a small amount of time. i have found some that work but they took so long to put on. i have back acne to and i have found that when you mix white suger and water together and mix till a past. it works well. then you rub on face . leave on for 10 minets. i have also found that good soap like dove works to.what should i do
I love this idea… my gf’s birthday is coming up and im broke, so ive been looking to make scrubs with incredients at home… what can i make with unsweetened cocoa powder, white normal sugar, baby oil a tiny bit of fudge scented bath wash and mint leaves. Anything? And what would the shelf life be like aprox… please please please let me know as soon as you can! her birthday is on Saturday night!
Oh and I also have vanilla essence the sort you use in baking.
My favortie scrub is a chocolate mint. It’s great for the holiday season too.
FYI… If you ever use cocoa or coffee be ware that it leaves a lil residue of color. It’s won’t be a big change, more like a sun kissed glow. A self tanner:). Just don’t use a white towel and pat to dry not wipe. It will keep and once dry won’t stain clothes.
I was wondering if grapeseed oil, sugar & peppermint oil would be a good mix? The peppermint oil is AWESOME to relieve those bad headaches or migraines and I wondered if it would mix well to have an all-over scrub..thanks for all of the wonderful ideas!
Jennifer,
Thanks for all of the helpful info! I’m thinking about making this as a craft with about 95 women!! Should I offer a few different scents? How many bottles and what size do you think I’ll need for that many scrubs? AND where is the best place to get essential oils? I appreciate any advice you have
Thanks!
Here are some websites where you can buy essential oils and carrier oils:
http://www.desertwhale.com
http://www.brambleberry.com
http://www.fromnaturewithlove.com
I just made my own Brown Sugar Lavender scrub in 10 mins, with all the ingredients readily available in my kitchen and dressing table. I love this site!!
I have been searching online for the right recipe to make sugar scrub with for a while now, and although I haven’t tried yours yet, your site is definitely the most cohesive and inviting! I can’t wait to make a batch.
Thanks!
I hope this makes sense! Can I use massage oils that have a blend of oils for the base and essential oils in it?