Creating your very own, all-natural DIY sugar scrub recipe is easy and inexpensive. I bet you’re going to be hooked (I am)! So, in this article, I’m going to show you how to make sugar scrub with essential oils.
Homemade essential oil DIY sugar scrubs are among the most favorite beauty DIY recipes. It’s no wonder! Using a homemade body scrub feels wonderful and has many advantages for your skin and wellness.
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Using lemon essential oil in your body scrub not only lets you enjoy a beautifully natural scent; it’s also an uplifting, purifying and cleansing oil that adds aromatherapy health benefits to your skin care routine.
Why DIY Sugar Scrubs?
- Sugar scrubs are excellent for exfoliating the human body and face. From treating cracked heels to gentle facial exfoliation, sugar scrubs have plenty of uses!
- You can create your own body scrub with essential oils for a portion of the price of commercial products.
- DIY helps you control the quality standard of ingredients used.
- The recipe only requires a few minutes to whip up.
- It’s super simple to make!
Base Recipe: Lemon Sugar Body Scrub
This is a simple 3-ingredient recipe.
Sugar scrubs are a fantastic way to exfoliate and aid dry skin. I’m going to show you how make an easy body scrub in about 5 minutes, with essential oils and a few ingredients you have in your pantry. It’s the perfect DIY project for essential oil beginners!
Ingredients:
- 15-20 drops of Lemon Essential Oil
- 1 cup of white or brown granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup of Jojoba carrier oil (or olive oil or grape seed oil or any other cooking oil you have on hand)
- 1 small mason jar or other container
How To Make It:
- Mix all of the above ingredients in your container.
- Use a wooden spoon or stainless steel cutlery to mix (avoid plastic utensils).
- Aim for a grainy, crumble-like texture.
- The next time you shower, use about 1-2 tablespoons of the sugar scrub to rub all over, for silky smooth skin.
- It’s simplest to use your body scrub in the shower, so that you can easily rinse it off when you are finished.
- Rinse well.
NOTE: Since this DIY recipe does not include preservatives, it’s best used within 1 to 2 months.
8 Sugar Scrub Recipe Variations
While this Lemon Sugar Scrub is fantastically uplifting and refreshing, you may like to change up your recipe to suit your mood or the different seasons. Mix it up with the following recipe variations that still use simple pantry ingredients. These beauty DIY essential oils recipe are all-time favorites!
- Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub: 1 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup jojoba oil, 10 drops vitamin E oil and 7-8 drops of vanilla essential oil.
- Gentle Oatmeal Facial Scrub: 1/2 cup rolled oats (ground up in coffee grinder or blender), 1 tbsp sea salt, 1 tbsp sugar, 7-10 drops lavender, chamomile or helichrysum essential oil.
- Himalayan Salt Scrub: (Only use if you don’t have sensitive skin!) 1 cup Himalayan Salt finely ground, 1 /2 cup sweet almond oil, 10-15 drops grapefruit essential oil.
- Lemon Honey Sugar Scrub: Same recipe as the main recipe above but only use 1/4 cup Jojoba oil and add in 1/4 cup organic honey.
- Sleep Tight Lavender Sugar Scrub: If you like to shower at night, make a relaxing and calming Lavender scrub. Same ingredients as in the main recipe, but substitute Lavender essential oil instead of Lemon.
- Coffee Body Scrub: Great for toning your body and tightening skin all over, especially legs, thighs and torso. Combine 1/2 cup finely ground coffee, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup Jojoba oil and 7-8 drops of coffee essential oil for that extra punch.
- Green Tea Sugar Scrub: Add extra antioxidants to your skin care body scrub and make it a green tea scrub! Recipe here from Living Chic on the Cheap.
DIY Sugar Scrub Gifts
If you’re thinking to make body scrub for gifts, I’ll show you how to easily upgrade your basic mason jar with simple craft supplies you probably already have at home. With a couple of simple hacks, you can delight in giving these beautiful DIY body scrubs as a gift any time of the year.
Trace the outline of a mason jar onto pretty paper, then cut out.
- Trace the mason jar lid on a piece of fun card stock paper.
- Cut out with scissors.
- Lightly glue onto the mason jar lid.
- Once mason jar is closed, add yarn string and leave the ends long along one side.
- Add gift tags or stickers (optional, see links below)
How to Dress Up your DIY Gift
While stunning gift wrapping isn’t everyone’s strong suit, it can become part of the gift and I think there’s nothing wrong in dressing up your DIY gift a bit.
If you make sure the gift wrapping matches your sugar scrub theme, you have a winner! Take a look at these gift tag supplies to add that special touch!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this scrub on my face?
Yes, but with caution. Sugar scrubs are great for the body — especially rough areas like elbows and knees. If using on the face, opt for finer sugar and gentler oils (like jojoba), and avoid harsh scrubbing. Always patch test first, especially with citrus essential oils.
How often should I use a sugar scrub?
Use your sugar scrub 1–3 times per week, depending on your skin type. Oily or acne-prone skin might benefit from more frequent exfoliation, while dry or sensitive skin may need just once a week. Over-exfoliating can irritate the skin, so listen to what your skin needs.
How do I store homemade sugar scrubs, and how long do they last?
Store your sugar scrub in an airtight jar, preferably glass. Keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. If no water gets into the jar, your scrub should last about 1–2 months. For best results, always use clean, dry hands or a spoon when scooping it out.
Safety Precautions for Using Sugar Scrubs with Essential Oils
Using essential oils in sugar scrubs is generally safe when done properly — but it’s important to follow a few key precautions:
- Patch Test First: Before using the scrub on a large area, apply a small amount to your inner arm and wait 24 hours to check for redness, irritation, or sensitivity.
- Caution with Citrus Oils: Essential oils like lemon, lime, orange, and bergamot can increase your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight (called photosensitivity). Avoid sun exposure for at least 12 hours after using a scrub with citrus oils.
- Avoid Broken or Irritated Skin: Do not use sugar scrubs on sunburned, broken, or inflamed skin. The abrasive texture of sugar can worsen irritation or cause discomfort.
- Watch Out for Allergies: If you’re allergic to certain plants or nuts (like almonds or coconut), make sure your chosen carrier oil or essential oil isn’t a trigger.
- Use Clean Hands or a Spoon: To extend the shelf life and prevent contamination, avoid dipping wet fingers directly into the scrub jar. Use a clean, dry spoon or spatula instead.
Use a sugar scrub to nourish your skin.
Have Fun
I hope you’ve enjoyed this introduction to DIY essential oil sugar scrubs. It’s truly a super quick and easy recipe, yet it’s guaranteed to impress! If you take the time to dress up your mason jar, these beauties make great gifts for any occasion.
xo,
Just made the lemon and an orange scrub for my granddaughters they both have dry and bumpy skin so i hope this works, by the way my hands feel SUPER SOFT! I had to test it first! Lol thanks!
Amazing Renee, thanks for the comment and testing the recipe before gifting it. I would agree about the skin feeling so soft, I LOVE using this sugar scrub, too!
I usually read recipes for scrubs and get overwhelmed by the ingredients but this one is so easy & simple! Just tried the lemon sugar scrub and my skin feels so moisturized! And the scent is so uplifting, perfect for summer! Thanks Emma!
Awesome Sandi, thanks for letting me know! ? I use the scrub myself as well and it’s just like you say: quick and easy and amazing to use! :)