DIY Body Scrub Recipes for Glowing Skin

You can make an exfoliating body scrub using ingredients you likely have in your kitchen. However, avoid using it on your face or any sunburnt or sensitive patches of skin.

Exfoliation can be a great way to keep your skin looking vibrant and healthy.

A body scrub is a popular way to exfoliate your skin, and there are plenty of store-bought varieties to choose from. But did you know you can make your very own homemade body scrub using ingredients you already have in your pantry?

Read on to learn about the perks of body scrubs and a few easy recipes to try at home.

What are the benefits of body scrubs? 

Exfoliating with a body scrub or other products like a brush or loofah can help boost the health and appearance of your skin in several ways.

Exfoliation can leave your skin looking brighter because it removes the top layer of dead skin cells. It can also stimulate the production of collagen, which may help your skin stay firm and radiant.

Another benefit of exfoliation is that it can improve the efficacy of topical treatments. If you exfoliate your skin before applying a cream, for example, the cream will be able to penetrate more deeply instead of sitting on the surface.

Massaging your skin with a body scrub can also be a nice way to relax, especially if you’re tired or stressed.

How often should you use a body scrub? 

It’s best to use a body scrub on your skin only occassionally. Overexfoliating your skin can leave it dry, sensitive, and irritated.

For most people, it’s fine to exfoliate 2 to 3 times a week. If your skin is dry and sensitive, you may want to limit this to once per week. Additionally, if you have a skin condition or are unsure how often you should exfoliate, speak with a dermatologist.

It’s usually easiest to apply a body scrub in the shower or bath. Gently massage the scrub into your skin in a circular motion and rinse it off thoroughly with warm water.

What do you need to make a DIY body scrub?

To make a DIY body scrub, gather the following items:

• spoons for mixing
• mixing bowl
• measuring spoons or cups
• a carrier or base oil, such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, almond oil, or olive oil
• sealed container to store the scrub in
• a few drops of your favorite essential oils, if desired
• salt or sugar

Once you have those items, you can mix the oils with the granules of your choice, such as salt or sugar. As outlined in the recipes below, you may also want to add other ingredients that can benefit your skin, like honey or green tea.

It’s important to get the consistency right when making homemade body scrubs. You don’t want it to be too runny, which can make it hard to scoop into your hands, but you also don’t want it to be too crumbly.

Here are some of the most popular types of DIY body scrubs that are both beneficial to your skin and easy to make.

While research suggests there are health benefits, the FDA doesn’t monitor or regulate the purity or quality of essential oils. It’s important to talk with a healthcare professional before you begin using essential oils and be sure to research the quality of a brand’s products. Always do a patch test before trying a new essential oil.

RECIPE1: Coffee scrub

There’s some scientific evidence that caffeine may help diminish the appearance of cellulite.

Some small studiesTrusted Source have shown that applied topically, caffeine may help reduce the appearance of cellulite. However, many of these were small or animal studies, and the results have been inconsistent. They also often combined caffeine with other ingredients like retinol.

It’s important to remember that cellulite is natural — 80% to 90%Trusted Source of females have it. Having cellulite doesn’t mean you’re unhealthy, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of.

That said, coffee is still a popular ingredient for many DIY body scrubs. The tiny granules are gentle on the skin, while still being effective at removing dead cells from the skin’s surface.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup coffee grounds
• 2 tbsp hot water
• 1 tbsp coconut oil, warmed

Directions

1. Add the coffee grounds and hot water to a mixing bowl and mix thoroughly with a spoon.
2. Add the coconut oil. If needed, add more coffee grounds or more oil to get the consistency right.
3. When you’re satisfied with the consistency, spoon the mixture into a clean, dry container.

RECIPE 2: Brown sugar scrub

Brown sugar is an inexpensive and accessible ingredient that also does a great job of exfoliating your skin.

It’s gentler on the skin than sea salt or Epsom salt, making it a good choice for sensitive skin. The sugar granules might make your skin feel sticky, so be sure to rinse or wash your skin thoroughly after you’ve exfoliated.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup carrier oil of your choice, such as coconut, jojoba, olive, almond, or grapeseed
• essential oils (optional)

Directions

1. Combine brown sugar and oil in a mixing bowl.
2. Mix thoroughly. If needed, add more sugar or oil to get the consistency right.
3. If desired, add 1 or 2 drops of your favorite essential oil, and stir it into the mixture.
4. When you’re satisfied with the consistency and fragrance of your scrub, spoon it into a clean, dry container.

RECIPE 3: Sea salt scrub 

Salt has antibacterial properties that can help with some skin conditions. It’s also a preservative, so the sea salt scrub will naturally preserve itself.

If you try this scrub, use ground sea salt, as coarse sea salt can be too harsh on your skin. Sea salt scrubs may be too abrasive for sensitive skin. Also, be careful if you have a cut on your skin as the salt can sting.

Because salt has no fragrance, you may want to add your favorite essential oils to your DIY salt scrub.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sea salt
• 1/2 cup carrier oil of your choice
• essential oils (optional)

Directions

1. Combine sea salt and oil in a mixing bowl.
2. Mix thoroughly. If needed, add more salt or oil to get the consistency right.
3. If desired, add 1 or 2 drops of your favorite essential oil and stir it into the mixture.
4. Once you’re satisfied with the consistency and fragrance of your scrub, spoon it into a clean, dry container.

RECIPE 4: Green tea sugar scrub

Rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, green tea may benefit your skin in several ways.

Green tea contains polyphenols, powerful plant compounds with antioxidant properties. According to 2022 researchTrusted Source, consuming green tea may help repair skin damage like UV exposure and acne. However, there currently isn’t any evidence that applying green tea topically can help your skin.

Green tea can easily be added to a homemade body scrub together with other nourishing ingredients.

Ingredients

• 2 bags of green tea
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted

Directions

1. Add tea bags to hot water. Let the tea steep until it cools.
2. While the tea is cooling, add brown sugar to a bowl.
3. Add coconut oil and mix thoroughly with the sugar.
4. Once the tea has cooled, add it to the sugar mix. It’s important that the tea is cool so the sugar doesn’t dissolve.
5. If the mixture is too crumbly, add more coconut oil. If it’s too soggy, add more brown sugar.
6. When you’ve reached the desired consistency, spoon your scrub into a container.

RECIPE 5: Honey sugar scrub

Research shows that honey has antibacterial and antioxidant properties. It can kill germs on the skin and help with wound healing.

Honey can easily be combined with granules and oil to make a skin-nourishing body scrub. After massaging the scrub into your skin, the honey should rinse off easily as it’s water-soluble.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 2 tbsp honey

Directions

1. Add brown sugar, coconut oil, and honey to a mixing bowl.
2. Mix the ingredients thoroughly, and add more coconut oil if it’s too crumbly.
3. Once you’ve reached the desired consistency, spoon your scrub into a clean, dry container.

Safety tips

These homemade scrubs are only intended to be used on your body, not your face. The skin on your face is more sensitive than the skin on the rest of your body.

Avoid exfoliating skin that is:

• sunburned
• chapped or broken
• red or swollen
• recovering from a chemical peel

Before adding essential oils to your body scrub, do a patch test with the diluted oil on your skin first to make sure you’re not allergic to the oil. If you have sensitive skin or very dry skin, talk with your doctor or dermatologist to find out if exfoliation with a body scrub is right for you.

Takeaway

DIY body scrubs are quick and easy to make, and an affordable option compared to store-bought scrubs.

These natural homemade exfoliants can cleanse, soften, and nourish your skin. Always be gentle when exfoliating your skin, and use extra caution if your skin is sensitive or very dry.