Tree Hugging Family - Living Green

63 opinions for Homemade Sugar Body Scrub

• Lara
  Jan 1, 2002 at 6:14 am

  hey, thanks. I am Lara and i am 14 years old and i love making homemade things. especialy body care stuff becouse its really fun. This is really awesome. Thanks

• Julie
  Feb 8, 2008 at 12:32 pm

  Nice! I’d love the almond one, almonod has such a relaxing scent. I have everything here to make a batch of this, with sugar and with salt. I like using both…er, but not in the same mix. Ew.

• Julie
  Feb 8, 2008 at 12:32 pm

  Wow. I can’t spell almond.

• marye
  Feb 8, 2008 at 1:31 pm

  really nice! I amke this with turbinado sugar..cause it is scrubbier.
  I need to make it with salt because Kyrie has been known to eat it. :P

• Jennifer
  Feb 8, 2008 at 6:05 pm

  almonod does have a lovely smell! That’s a great spelling - no worries. I spell lame easy stuff wrong; like those and whether.

  Yeah, turbinado - I couldn’t remember what it was called. I always call it coarse. Eat it; like there’s not enough cooking going on at your house that your girl is eating the scrubs! That’s funny.

• N & J
  Feb 8, 2008 at 11:36 pm

  Sounds awesome. I am waiting for my store bought body wash and scrub to run out and then I want to make my own.

• Mary Jo
  Feb 9, 2008 at 1:21 am

  I’m one of those people who would think nothing of plunking down $22 if the scrub smelled good enough to eat. Scrubs last me forever, and I have about six different “flavors” currently open.

  After reading how easy this is, I’ll use up what I have and then make my own. Even if I have to spend a little for some essential oils to get started, it’ll make me feel a whole lot better than spending all that money.

  I hope you continue to have great recipes like this!

• Jennifer
  Feb 9, 2008 at 7:12 am

  N&J - you’ll like it a lot I think, and the best part is you can cut the recipe so in case you want to try something new, you don’t have to live with the mistake for long - once I tried a chocolate deal (it was bad).

  Mary Jo - Really! I hate spending money on this kind of stuff - but my sis like to so I get it. But homemade is kind of fun, and so custom too, which is nice. Essential oils, even organic are pretty inexpensive as well, especially the mainstream scents like lavender, so it actually is pretty cheap to get going. Some are a bit more, but they’re more for people into natural medicine with oils.

• DramaMama
  Feb 9, 2008 at 10:42 am

  This sounds awesome! I don’t usually use any scrubby stuff, but I should. I do like to give homemade gifts like this though! I’ve got a bunch of bridal showers coming up, so this is really useful…thanks!

• Faith
  Feb 9, 2008 at 10:43 am

  awsome!! just wondering..what would happen if sugar and salt would be used in the same scrub??i just want to try cause i’ve tried both..and it did a good job on my skin!! i’m now thinking if these two can be mixed..

• Jennifer
  Feb 10, 2008 at 10:53 am

  DramaMama - this is perfect for showers. A glass jar of this looks great if you design a pretty and simple label, and tie some hemp (or ribbon) with a small bit of lavender around the jar.

  Faith ~ Salt scrub purists would not mix the sugar and salt, because of the therapeutic salt benefits. That said, it won’t hurt anything to mix them. Not sure about the scent though. Salt and sugar lend to a fairly unique scent in scrubs. Together I don’t know. You can try and then let us know.

• Weekend Jaunt Around the Channel
  Feb 10, 2008 at 11:06 pm

  [...] issues. I think we’re back on track now, though!!!! Here goes: Oh wow…..I really want to try this!!! I used the store sample sugar scrub years ago and LOVED the way it made my skin feel! I still [...]

• Pana
  Mar 5, 2008 at 11:11 am

  Hey! I am looking for a recipe that can be applied and then either taken off with hot towels or that will disovle with a lotion after it is applied. Does anyone have any suggestions?

• peggy
  Mar 18, 2008 at 2:52 pm

  Question…
  Do you have to refridgerate sugar scrub? I’d like to make up something with a year long shelf life.

• Jennifer
  Mar 18, 2008 at 5:01 pm

  I don’t think sugar scrub would last a year and do well, it would get crusty, also, the value of the oils would go down quite a lot. If you don’t use that much, I’d make less.

• Sarah
  Apr 18, 2008 at 7:40 am

  Sounds great! but how long would this product last?

• Jennifer
  Apr 18, 2008 at 12:56 pm

  Sarah, like I said above, a year is pushing it. Frankly six months is pushing it. sugar won’t go bad but the oil integrity will. If forced to estimate, I think people should make about as much natural body products as they can use in about two months. Any longer and stuff like herbs and oils lose their impact. Although, in the case of sugar scrub it stays scrubby obviously. I had some once for about four months and it was fine. But really small batched are best.

• Mandy
  Aug 11, 2008 at 3:59 pm

  My husband was wanting some of the body scrubs I make sent to him in Iraq. My question is how well would this stand up against the heat since it takes about 2 weeks to get mail to him. Is there something I can subsitute instead of olive oil that would last longer and should I use salt or sugar?

• Jennifer
  Aug 11, 2008 at 6:23 pm

  @Mandy you can actually send a dry mix, like mix the vanilla, or whatever herbs and essential oils you like, but leave out the olive oil or water. Once your hubby gets it, he can one, mix in his own oil or water, or just dip into the mix, get it wet in the shower (with water, milk, oils, whatever), and scrub up. If you’re sending it long ways that might work best, although, I don’t see how it would be worse for the wear to send it pre-mixed. So long as you use a tight lid and pack it up right.

• Ellie
  Aug 18, 2008 at 8:38 pm

  Can you use fresh herbs?

• Jennifer
  Aug 19, 2008 at 1:11 pm

  @Ellie yes. Basil and mint make a nice scrub, rosemary infused is good, and so on. If you use fresh herbs, the best thing to do is cook soft and mash, then add to the scrub, or grind if it’s a softer herb (like mint) and simply mix in. Herbal essential oils can be used too. The dried herbs are just a good way to infuse sugar, without leaving the herb in the scrub.

• mary beth
  Aug 20, 2008 at 3:52 pm

  I do not know how old this site is, but i was wanted to make a bunch of these for christmas presents, I will have a new born in a few months and want to ahead on making these.
  Any ideas for storing a scrub for three or four months before opening?

• Jennifer
  Aug 21, 2008 at 1:47 pm

  @Mary Beth I wouldn’t make this four months in advance if you’re using oil, just because oil does tend to get that odd rancid smell if it gets old. You could make the sugar mixes - like infuse the dried herbs and vanilla, then later mix in the oil, (a small step).

• Jacky
  Aug 26, 2008 at 2:51 pm

  Just a quick question. Where can i find oils for scrubs. Im not sure where to go and if I’m getting the right one. In a store in what department would i look in ? for example is vanilla oil the same as vanilla extract and can i use it? i will appreciate your help thank you

• Jennifer
  Aug 27, 2008 at 11:14 am

  @Jacky I wrote a guide for first time essential oil users - you can find it right here: http://www.treehuggingfamily.com/homemade-beauty-products-%E2%80%93-safety-101/

  That will tell you how to choose and buy and use essential oils. Vanilla oil and extract are VERY different. Although, in a pinch, I’ve used extract for scrubs.

• Talia
  Sep 6, 2008 at 10:49 pm

  I love this recipe, I will be making some up for friends and for me of course, very soon. I just have a question. For your other mixes, (ie, grapefruit and pepermint) do you still do the vanilla bean in the sugar step? Or did you only do that for that certain vanilla smell mix? I hope that makes sence? Also if you wanted to add fresh mint, would i do that in the sugar like the vanilla?
  Thanks :D

• Jennifer
  Sep 7, 2008 at 10:58 am

  @Talia only use vanilla for vanilla mixes. You can try the fresh mint in the sugar to scent it. Maybe dried fresh would work better though. I’m not sure, because all I’ve ever used is mint oils. Experiment though, honestly, this recipe is so inexpensive that you can mess up some batches with no worries. Trust me, I’ve made stuff that I’ve later tossed. Mistakes happen with homemade beauty products.

• Kim
  Oct 7, 2008 at 12:40 am

  How many vanilla beans do you use in the lavender mix? I want to make sugar scrubs to sell at our holiday bazaar.

• Jennifer
  Oct 7, 2008 at 12:49 am

  @Kim, I’ve used two in a normal batch, but up to four. People are particular. I like heavy scents, but since not everyone does, I use two when making gifts. It depends on how much sugar too. About 2 beans per two cups is typical, but since I like a lot of scent, maybe it’d be too much for some. I’d experiment with a home batch before selling it. This is a great bazaar item though - just remember to label clearly in case someone has an allergy to an oil.

• Kim
  Oct 9, 2008 at 12:53 pm

  Would it be ok if you shaved the vanilla bean and left it in the sugar scrub?

• Jennifer
  Oct 9, 2008 at 1:21 pm

  I haven’t tried leaving shaved beans in. I’m not sure. Shavings won’t be scrubby exactly, but it won’t hurt anything either. I suppose, you could always make a practice batch and see what you think.

• Rosemary
  Nov 23, 2008 at 1:20 pm

  A question: How long will the scrub last? With all natural ingredients, I would assume it has a ’shelf life’. My daughter is going to make sugar scrub as Christmas gifts. I’m mostly concerned about the oil going rancid, but I think the sugar would act as a natural perservative?

• Jennifer
  Nov 23, 2008 at 1:59 pm

  @Rosemary sugar won’t act as a preservative forever. I made this one orange scrub once, I didn’t love it, rarely used it, and had to toss it because it eventually smelled rancid (the oil). But it took months to get that way. All cosmetics, homemade and conventional have a shelf life. If you make a good scrub you won’t have to worry, because people will use it way fast. If you want, you could include something like an expiration date (4-5 mos down the line).

• Tray
  Nov 29, 2008 at 4:42 am

  I am going to make a scrub with a combination of brown sugar, cinnamon powder, and vegetable oil. I am hoping the cinnamon will act as a preservative. Has anyone ever tried this recipe?

• Tray
  Nov 29, 2008 at 4:44 am

  Wow! Just thought of adding applesauce to the cinnamon powder, brown sugar, and vegetable oil. Now that would make a nice Christmas scent I bet.

• CalFinder Remodeling Blog » Green Wednesday: Going Green for the Holidays
  Dec 3, 2008 at 6:39 pm

  [...] Avoid giving toys or tools that run on batteries, or add rechargeable batteries and a charger to the gift. Give consumable gifts like candles, teas, chocolates, organic soaps. Start a savings account for a child. Cook for your friends; invite friends over for a warm, home-cooked meal as a gift. Buy local from crafts fairs and Farmers Markets; this not only supports the locals it also cuts down on car trips to crowded malls. I love to exfoliate and so do my friends, yet a good body scrub can be pricey. So, this year I’m going to make my own body scrub to give as gifts. I found this cool recipe online that you may want to make for your friends: http://www.treehuggingfamily.com/homemade-sugar-body-scrub/ [...]

• Nicole
  Dec 29, 2008 at 4:25 am

  Hey All,
  I made this scrub and DH LOOOVVVVVVEEEESSSSS IT!! Said I smelled like pecan candy ( we are from Louisiana;transplanted to TX, and I make LOTS of pecan candy/pralines) He loved the smooth supple feeling of my skin along with the scent ( I used vanilla extract;lots, ) was a little greasy for my preference, but all in all great, will use again. Especially as an underarm scrub since I am prone to darkened spots here from deodorant/dead skin buildup…have spent hundreds; and none works like this, or smells as great!! Here’s to sugar scrub making…………….

• Joy
  Dec 29, 2008 at 12:36 pm

  4 oily skin try rice and sugar or salt it is perfect

• Jennifer
  Dec 31, 2008 at 2:50 am

  @Tray - vegetable oil is not the best oil to use. It starts to smell icky way sooner than olive oil, or other actual skin oils. I would never (if at all possible) use cooking oils for beauty products.

  @Nicole - I’m really glad you liked this scrub. If it’s too greasy for you, you can cut the oil with water, or even make a straight water scrub. It won;t be as silky, but it will be scrubby and smell good, without as much of an oily feeling. Thanks for the glowing review :)

  Joy - do you grind your rice? Or mix grains whole with the salt or sugar? Just curious, I haven’t made many rice beauty products. I made two scrubs and I did grind my rice, so I’m wondering if you like it whole.

• Cass
  Jan 8, 2009 at 10:49 pm

  I was just curious… do you have to add the essential oil? or is it just for scent? cuz if not, I’ll just stick to the vanilla extract. I also have some kinda cheap oil, that smells great, I’m just curious if it’ll work the same…..
  (i’m on a tight budget, and can’t exactly spend loads of money to go out and get myself some essential oils, I’m strapped to even go out and buy bras.. :P)

• Jennifer
  Jan 9, 2009 at 12:17 am

  @Cass the essential oils are for scent, and if pure, their various healing/soothing/skin benefits/etc. Essential oils are not required in a sugar or salt scrub at all; no scent is actually required, this is just one nice mix. You still get the scrubby aspects, and soft skin, even if all you do is mix sugar and oil.

• Jennifer
  Jan 9, 2009 at 12:17 am

  @cass PS I hear ya on the budget issue - sucks huh…

• Cass
  Jan 9, 2009 at 12:22 am

  good to know… thanks, I just used this right now, I feel great! :P and yea, it does, but I’m hoping to get some money together and make myself a collection of scubs etc. any tips?

• Sam
  Jan 24, 2009 at 4:04 pm

  i was looking for some homemade scrubs and fall down on this site.I’m glad to see with so many options/Scents.I cannot found essentail oils neither the vanilla beans easily here in Gulf.Can i subsitute it with the vanilla powder or vanilla essence?And a more important question Can those scrubs lighten the darken areas or like acne spots?Thankyou

• Jennifer
  Jan 24, 2009 at 5:49 pm

  If you want a scrub that works on acne you’d need to add tea tree oil, although, sugar is not the best thing to use on your face. Mix ground oats, few drops of tea tree essential oil, and water for a face acne scrub (But it won’t lighten). Lemon juice naturally lightens dark spots on most skin types. You can use vanilla powder, but I’m not sure how much you’d use. Vanilla essence would be fine too, if it’s ok with your skin.

• Sam
  Jan 25, 2009 at 12:20 pm

  Thankyou so much,That is really helpful.Wondering if you have any idea on how to lighten the joints of hands and feet.hope that make sense.Thankyou so much =D

• Mike
  Mar 20, 2009 at 7:03 pm

  What happens if you use this on your face? Do you break out or is there a softer version you could use on your face?

• Jennifer
  Apr 2, 2009 at 10:02 am

  @Mike - I could use this on my face because my skin is pretty hardy, i.e. doesn’t break out or respond badly to oils. However, I don’t generally suggest it because one, getting oils in your mouth or eyes is not ok, and two, sugar and oils is not the best for many people. The skin on your face tends to be more delicate than the skin on your body. Maybe I’ll post a better homemade face scrub soon.

• Colleen
  Apr 10, 2009 at 8:28 am

  I love this scrub and am wondering if you could do the same thing but substitute fresh rosemary or lavender in the sugar for the vanilla beans? Hmm…would the variety of the plant play a role too?

• Jennifer
  Apr 10, 2009 at 4:20 pm

  @Colleen - you can make this scrub with any old thing you like. It’s fun to experiment. Plants do have different properties though; it’s best to get a good herbal book and see which herbs would suit your skin type. I talk about some good herbal books in another post: http://www.treehuggingfamily.com/homemade-beauty-products-safety-101/

  Lavender and/or rosemary are good choices though IMO.

• Heather
  Apr 27, 2009 at 12:03 pm

  Do you think I can use Jojoba Oil to make this scrub? I have a lot of it and it does not go rancid like other oils. Wondering what your thoughts are about it.

• Jennifer
  Apr 27, 2009 at 12:48 pm

  @Heather - Jojoba oil will eventually go rancid - or smell off anyhow, all oils do. BUT that’s a great oil for homemade beauty products. You can use it for sure. I’ve used it in sugar scrubs before when I was out of almond and apricot.

• Tia
  Apr 27, 2009 at 8:28 pm

  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?

• Jennifer
  Apr 28, 2009 at 9:09 am

  @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).

• Paula
  May 30, 2009 at 11:59 am

  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.

• rick
  Jun 8, 2009 at 10:21 am

  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

• rick
  Jun 9, 2009 at 7:37 am

  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

• Natalia
  Jun 17, 2009 at 10:37 am

  I love sugar scrubs!
  Try my favorite recipe:
  2/3 cup sugar
  2 mashed strawberries
  6-8 drops rose/jojoba oil

• teresa
  Jun 20, 2009 at 10:49 am

  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

• teresa
  Jun 20, 2009 at 10:51 am

  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

• Jennifer
  Jun 20, 2009 at 11:54 am

  @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).

• teresa
  Jun 20, 2009 at 2:41 pm

  Thank You Jennifer, my son is only 7 are those oils safe for him?

• Jennifer
  Jun 20, 2009 at 3:05 pm

  @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.

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