Best Easy Homemade Sugar Scrub

Get your DIY on and pamper yourself with this simple 2-ingredient sugar scrub!

For the printable recipe click here.

Healthful Bodycare

Just like we want to put the best possible foods into our body, part of a paleo lifestyle is limiting exposure to toxins, which also means putting the best possible products on our bodies. Healthy bodies include healthy skin!

I am admittedly not a very "product-y" person. I like to keep my cosmetics and "beauty routine" pretty simple--I put beauty routine in quotations because I don't even know if I have enough of one to call it that.

Nevertheless, I do love a spa day--few and far between though they may be in my life.

The good news is that this simple exfoliating sugar scrub is so easy to whip up, you can bring a little spa day into any day!

What is a sugar scrub?

Sugar scrubs are an exfoliant, which means they contain an abrasive--in this case, sugar--to help sluff off dead skin cells and relieve dry skin. ​ This simple sugar scrub recipe contains two simple ingredients available at most grocery stores: coconut oil and white sugar. I like to use organic coconut oil and organic cane sugar for purity. ​ Coconut oil is great for sensitive skin and is not very pore-clogging like cocoa butter can be.

Can you make sugar scrubs with other oils?

Absolutely. I have tried homemade sugar scrub recipes with extra virgin olive oil, sweet almond oil, or jojoba oil, but I really like the consistency of the coconut oil. ​ There is, however, a caveat when it comes to the coconut oil: temperature. ​ In very warm temperatures, the coconut oil will be very liquid, and in cold temperatures, the coconut oil will be very firm. If stored in the fridge, for instance, it will be too firm to use. ​ At room temperature (around 69-78 degrees F), it should be just right. ​ If you live in a very cold place and coconut oil tends to be solid in your home, you will want to warm your coconut oil slightly so that it will easily mix with the sugar, and add in a little bit of sweet almond oil, avocado oil, or another liquid oil to help it stay loose enough to use. You can place a container of firm coconut oil (or solidified sugar scrub) in a bowl of very warm water to help soften it if necessary.

Can you make your homemade sugar scrub scented?

This homemade body scrub is extremely functional and relaxing with just the two ingredients of sugar and coconut oil. However, if you want to take things to the next level, essential oils are an easy and effective way to personalize your sugar scrub and transform bath or shower time into an aromatherapy experience. ​ My favorite DIY sugar scrub recipes usually contain lavender. Lavender sugar scrub is so versatile and comforting, and because lavender is so widely grown, it is often one of the more affordable essential oils as well. ​ Lavender and frankincense is a very soothing combination, and lavender and eucalyptus is very spa-like. I usually avoid lemon essential oil for something like this because it can cause skin to be extra sensitive to sunlight. So if you want to do a lemon sugar scrub, it may be best to use it only in the evenings. I also avoid things like vanilla extract that are made with alcohol because alcohol is very drying. However, in very small quantities, it might not be a problem. ​ Another way to make a vanilla sugar scrub is to add the seeds of a vanilla bean or some ground vanilla powder. ​My daughter, who actually developed this recipe, loves to do 7-10 drops of lavender essential oil and 7-10 drops Joy (a Young Living blend). ​ Peppermint is very refreshing and invigorating but can sometimes be too much for very sensitive areas. It does, however, make an excellent foot scrub. We use Young Living essential oils, but you can use your favorite essential oils brand! ​

Can you color your sugar scrub? You definitely could color your sugar scrub if that were something you wanted to do. I really only like to use natural ingredients, but I don't even like to use natural food coloring in things like this because it kind of weirds me out to have colors streaming down my legs in the shower. I also don't want to worry about stains if I use a towel to apply the scrub or clean up any messes. ​ The main reason I would ever color my scrubs would be if I were making several different scents at one time and I wanted to be able to easily distinguish among them. ​ How do you store sugar scrub? Sugar scrub can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container, such as a mason jar. It will keep this way for a very long time. Store it in the bathroom near the tub and you'll always be ready for a great exfoliation! ​ Some people like to add things like lavender buds to their DIY scrub, but just know that while this makes for a more visually interesting scrub, it can reduce the scrub's shelf life.

How do you use sugar scrub? To use your DIY body scrub, take about a penny-sized blob and use your fingers or a washcloth to gently rub it in a circular motion over the desired area. This scrub is perfect for arms, legs, or anywhere that needs a little exfoliation. If you want to use it on your face, be sure to be gentle and avoid contact with your eyes, especially if you have added essential oils to your scrub. The best part about this easy sugar scrub recipe is that you can easily double it, keep some for yourself, and also make a wonderful gift for a loved one. Pack it in small mason jars, add a cute label, and share the spa-day love!

​Here's what you'll need:

• 1/2 cup coconut oil

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 10-15 drops essential oil (optional)

Here's what you'll do:

1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl, mixing with a spoon till thoroughly combined. Transfer mixture to desired container(s).

2. To use, take a penny-sized blob and apply to the desired area, using your fingers or a washcloth to rub gently in a circular motion. Repeat as needed. Rinse off under warm water in bath or shower.

For the printable recipe click here.