Sugar scrub recipes are easy and quick to make! You can make them for your loved ones, host a sugar scrub making party, or just treat yourself! Personalizing a sugar scrub recipe is easy – make them any scent or color you want, and decorate the jar.
I’ve been spending so much time looking at sugar scrub recipes online. You could certainly buy a sugar scrub from the store, but it might be easier on your wallet to DIY.
Sugar scrubs can be a luxurious-feeling part of your skincare routine. I love using them on the rough dry spots, like on my knees and elbows. The sugar can help you wash off dead skin cells.
I just think DIY sugar scrubs are such a cool gift – I would be so excited to get one. Almost as excited as when I learned how fast and simple they are to make! You only need three or four ingredients, a mason jar, and five to 10 minutes.
When I got my first set of essential oils, I immediately set to work on handmade sugar scrub. They might be one of the easiest recipes to make. If you don’t have essential oils, flavor extracts (like vanilla extract) work, too!
Sugar scrub recipe
I had plenty of scent options. But with Valentine’s Day and Spring ahead, I decided to make Lemon Sugar Scrub and Raspberry Lemon Sugar Scrub. I used yellow and red food coloring, lemon essential oil, and raspberry extract. This recipe is good for one jar, so double or triple the recipe if you’re making multiple gifts or hosting a party.
Yield: 2-3 cups
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 3/4 – 1 cup white granulated sugar
- 2-4 drops food coloring
- 10-15 drops essential oils or extract
Instructions
- Melt coconut oil in the microwave for 20-35 seconds until melted.
- Pour sugar into the oil and mix. If too juicy, add a small amount of sugar and mix.
- Add food coloring to make the color you desire
- Add essential oils and extract drops to achieve the scent you desire. For the lemon raspberry scrub, I used 10 drops of lemon essential oil and 10 drops of raspberry extract.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Sugar scrubs recipes tags
Add on a cute “Oh Sugar” printable tag, and you’ve got a super easy Valentine treat for those you love. Need it any other time of year? I’ve included non-holiday tags that will make this a perfect gift for birthdays, Christmas, or a housewarming gift!
The best part is, they’ll keep returning the jars and begging you to make more when they finish!
Download your own printable tags here.
How was making sugar scrubs for you? Let us know in the comments!
I LOVE my Young Living essential oils and scrubs are one of my favorite things to make! Those are such CUTE printables, Melanie – thanks for sharing them!!
I’m just getting into working with oils. Can’t quite figure out my next project though!
Hard Lotion Bars MAYbe? One of my firsts years ago, FuN! Great little cute gifts! ☃️☃️☃️?❄️
Hello, I just came across your scrubs and i love when printouts are added, valentines day is past do you have some reg. print outs, and where can I find them?
I am making this with my sister for my mom!
I loved this idea, and we are making this also for our mom for mothers day
Where did you find the jars
Does the food coloring stain the hands or face?
It doesn’t! I had a light red on my hands but it doesn’t last past the shower!
What about jello, that will add colour and maybe some scent… not suf it will still stain though
does it stain your hand or face???
When I used the red, my hands got pink, but just while I used it, then it washed right off.
what i do not understand that
I had a light red on my hands but it doesn’t last past the shower! You could also try to use jello powder instead to avoid that, although it wasn’t a problem at all.
The water is colored by the food dye when you use it. But, the water rinses the dye off
Is it for your hands , feet etc?
No
Where did you get the cute jars – and wooden spoons? Lids are not shown, but I’m sure they just add to the cuteness. Thanks!
Got those at Hobby Lobby!
Are these face or body scrubs
Body Scrubs for sure. I wouldn’t use them on my face – too rough IMO. But, I have sensitive skin!
can kids use this sugar scrub
Thx I can’t wait to try this! It will be a great birthday present for my friend!
These are so super cute, I’m trying to come up with a little beauty shop in my area considering the closest one is going on a crazy stressful trip to the local mall (that is if you view the mall like I do ) so these will certainly be helpful.
Loving the scrub ideas! I love Young Living oils and recently made a frank and rose petal scrub with them. So amazing and smooth! Thanks for the ideas for future scrubs!
Thank you Alexandria! I keep seeing the rose petal scrubs and need to make one!
This might sound like a silly question, but I am new to scrubs so forgive me. I have seen a lot of them need to be stored in the refrigerator, is that the case with these?
I didn’t store mine in the fridge. It was in my shower for about 2-3 weeks until I used it all up! Fridge couldn’t hurt though!
Cute Idea! thank you for sharing! Going to share with my Pinterest group!
My girls made these today & the color did stain their hands! I tried to with three different coloring agents (neon, gel, & regular), but each left a tint even after rinsing. Any suggestions?
AAAHHH! I’m so sorry to hear that Kiki. I definitely noticed a red tint in the shower, but it was gone by the time I was done washing and got out. Boo. I wish I had a suggestion. I’ll do some research and update you if I find out an alternative.
Can they just be white no color? Do you have to use both coconut oil and the essential oil ?
Hey Melanie! I plan to make these and give away as favors for my bridal shower next month. I would like to know if these are for hands, body or face, and how often can they be used (daily, every other day, etc.). Thank you so much!
I have used them on body and hands only. I use them every day!
These sound great! Since my husband’s cancer, I make all of my own skin care products, cleaning products, detergent etc.
I use organic coconut oil, organic sugar and make my own vanilla extract. What else can I use instead of food coloring?
Food coloring is not safe to ingest, so I won’t use it on my skin.
I know that in food recipes they use beet juice for pinkness, but that stains too.
that’s great that you’re able to do that to help him!
Where did you get the glass containers with the spoons?? Love, love, love them!!
I got them at Hobby Lobby!
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! I can’t wait to try it! I was going to suggest, as some of the others were commenting on the food coloring, the juice from frozen raspberries. When I made a peppermint scrub for Christmas gifts, that’s what it called for. I just microwaved 1/2 a handful and used the juice. 🙂 It’s completely organic and doesn’t stain your skin. I hope that helps! I am super excited to try this scrub for the summer!!!
Hi I’m wondering if you can tell me the name of the font you used for our tags. i love the font. Thanks 🙂
Hey there – I used KG Second Chances for those tags!
Great idea! Love the darling printable tags 🙂
What is the vanilla extract that in the picture used for? I was a little confused with that since I don’t see it listed as an ingredient. Thanks!
Its an option in case you don’t want to use Raspberry Extract. When I started the process and photographed it, I planned to do a plain vanilla, but the raspberry and lemon turned out so good and colorful, I never ended up using it. Sorry for the confusion!
Are you supposed to use this in the shower?
You betcha!
I am seeing so many recipes for scrubs and face/body washes with coconut oil in them. Does this clog the drain?
I am a little concerned over time that this will cause trouble.
Hi Jody! Coconut oil will not clog your drains because it is a plant based oil and not an animal based oil/fat. I used coconut oil for years without ever having any problems.
This is just wonderful! I made my own citrus scrub using orange and lemon
Wonderful! I bet that smells delicious!
Hi there- I’m going to make these for a bridal shower so thank you! Just wondering what you recommend as far as how far in advance I can make them?
I have found that they keep for a month if in a good air tight container, but I’ve only made three or four batches, and I’ve used them up right away, so I can’t be positive!
Hi how long does it last once it’s made ?
In an air-tight container, 2-3 weeks.
How did you make the tags?
Hi Gracie! I used my design program to create the tags. I have a couple of programs I use: Pixelmator, Illustrator and PicMonkey!
Could I use Lemon Flavoring instead of essential oil?
Yes! An extract would work just fine!
Just mage these for my fellow Co workers valentine gift. Super easy! Hubby tried it out and loved it. Hopee they liked them as much as I do. Thank you for this recipe
Hello! I just came across your sugar scrub recipe and was wonder if your printable tags are still available to print? I’ve never made a sugar scrub before and can’t wait to try this!
So glad you’re going to try it! They’re so fun to make! Here’s the link to the tags
I would persuade not making this with food coloring. I also used way more coconut oil than it said to, and dyed my skin pink.
I noticed a slight pink color in the shower when I used the coloring, but it washed right off as I used it.
Would not recommend using any type of food coloring. It stained my skin a little bit. Love the texture though, and maybe it comes off in the shower!
I used mine right in the shower, so didn’t really have any issues, but I could see how scary that would be if you were using it outside of the shower and saw stained red hands! Yikes!
Can u use olive oil instead do coconut oil?
I don’t know enough about the differences to say yes for sure, but I do know that Olive Oil is used in a lot of beauty recipes, so it should be fine.
I see that you say your recipe makes 2-3 cups, but I need to make this for 6 gifts, and hope to find the same jars that you did at Hobby Lobby. Will doubling the recipe be enough or should I triple it?
It really depends on the size of the jar. If you triple the recipe, you can always use the last bit for yourself!
regard to food coloring, i simply bought soap coloring, thats safe for body. use that instead, thats found in hobby lobby as well.
where do i found coconut oil? are they in solid form?
Oh, I love this tip! Thank you! I’m going to check that out!
Thank you for posting this. It sounds like its easy to make and I’m excited to make this for my mom for Mother’s Day! 😀
Yay. Mom will love it! Thanks for stopping by!
This is a great idea, Melanie! I’m going to do this as a craft with my 9-year old daughter for a Mother’s Day gift. 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration!
Awesome idea I am going to have my Special Ed Kids make a few batches for Christmas gifts.
Thank you
Can I use Olive Oil instead of Coconut oil?
these are so cute!!! I’m making them for my mom for mother’s Day!!
Oh so fun! She’ll love it.
Love the simplicity of this do-it-yourself scrub! Thanks so much for sharing!
Rae | Love from Berlin
Hello Melanie! Thaks for a recept! 🙂 I would like to make these… but before I have a more questions…
granulated white sugar: What grain sizes need to prepare the scrubs? As powdered sugar (fine particulate) or granular sugar (coarser, larger particle size)?
food coloring: do not shut your skin?
Thanks your ansver 🙂
Hi Andrea! I use and would suggest using granulated sugar. It is course enough to exfoliate where as powder sugar is to fine and would just melt when combined with the coconut oil. Hope this helps!
Love these as presents, do you know if there should be a ‘use by’ date on them?
I found that mine lasted about 3 weeks, but if they had a good seal on the jar, they’d probably last much longer!
I want to make this but worrying about the food colouring, does it not stain the skin? Thanks, Cat 🙂
The red one did slightly color my hands in the shower, but it came right off! 🙂
I love this idea, i just have one litle question. How long does de scrub last? (the due date?).
Pat 🙂
I would say 3 weeks if it’s in a well sealed jar.
Hello I will ask probably a stupid question : for vanilla extract do you intend that we use in the cakes or it s an essential oil? Thanks x
Not a dumb question at all. It’s the vanilla extract we put in cakes – because I’ve yet to find Vanilla Essential Oils!
Thank you so much for this great gift idea! I made this for my mom on her birthday and she loved it! I am going to be making some more for my sisters on Christmas, but I was wondering if it would work if I substituted the lemon oils for peppermint?
So fun! Thanks for letting us know! So glad she liked it!
Can they be made ahead of time? Do they go bad or spoil?
I would make them only a few days or so ahead and put them in an air-tight jar!
Does it go bad?
Mine was getting dried out after about 5 weeks. Depends on how well your jar seals too!
Hi, I was just wondering if I can add some Aeroplane raspberry jelly powder into the scrub because I can’t seem to find the extract anywhere else.
Thanks!
I’m not familiar with that, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t be wonderful!
Hi, I was wondering if it would be fine If you don’t put food colouring in it. Or would it not turn out good
It would turn out just fine!
What is the shelf life of these scrubs?
Depends on the jar you have them in, but air-tight should last a month.
These are wonderful!! How do we download the cute gift tags?
There’s a link at the bottom of the post but here it is to save you a click
Hello Melanie,
I work for a large community complex. I want to find something simple, inexpensive & DIY for all of the mothers here on Mothers Day. This is my 2 year celebrating Moms on Mothers Day. Last year all moms that showed up got a single carnation w/baby’s breath wrapped in ribbon. Would you or any of your followers have a suggestion for me??
I am making this for my mom for mother’s day! I put almond extract and vanilla extract to make a vanilla almond! Love it! Thanks for the idea!
How fun! She will LOVE IT!
Question. I made this and left it overnight in sealed container checked it in the morning and was super hard. Is that supposed to happen?
AAAHHH! that’s no good. The jar I used didn’t even have a seal on it, so I’m not why yours would have done that. I’m sorry that I don’t have an answer for you.
Coconut oil is solid below 76 degrees Fahrenheit so that’s why it became hard. You should be able to just heat it up a bit by running it under hot water or putting it in the microwave of 5 second increments.
Question. I made this and left it in a sealed container all night checked in the morning and it was super hard is that supposed to happen?
How many ounces does a batch make? Will using little sauce cups work with plastic lids for keeping fresh for a little while?
I would say they’ll keep for a week that way. I used a tiny jar with a cork for a lid and it stayed fresh in the shower for 2 weeks. As for amount, it makes a small bowl’s worth. I made two little jars with this batch.
What kind of coconut oil do you use? I used 3 times the amount of drops of essential oils, but the coconut smell is still overpowering.
Oh no! I have a Coconut Oil from Spectrum that I got at the grocery store. I’m not an expect in coconut oil, but maybe some are much more pungent?
Hi,
I was wondering if you have to use coconut oil.I don’t have any!
That’s a great question! Olive Oil works great too! Hope that helps Amber!
Hello!! I’m making these with my daughter and her friends for her spa bday party!! I saw in the store coconut oil in already liquid form, would that work and save the hassle of heating?!?! Thanks!!!!!
Yeah, that should work just fine! What a fun party idea!
This maybe a silly question but when you are referring to the coconut oil in the ingredients parts are you referring to it in its liquid form or as a solid form? I’m just new to working with coconut oil and haven’t understood if any recipe using coconut oil is stating liquid or solid form lol ? I know you say in the process part that you melt it but wasn’t sure if originally it was solid. Sorry if I sound confusing, that’s probably cause I’m confused too ??
Comes in solid in jar and warms to liquid around 76° so refrigerating would make it hard again. You can make it a whipped sugar scrub by using a mixer. It will fluff up the coconut oil. And, any carrier oil like olive, grapeseed, etc will work, hope that helps
What can I use instead of coconut oil?
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today me and my sister made these sugar scrubs, I made a yellow almond sugar scrub and a green peppermint one. And my sister made a yellow almond one and a green strawberry one. We made a small pot of plain sugar scrub too for our mum to use. This is an amazing idea and we are planning on making a few batches every month or so to give to our family as we are trying to only use vegan, chemical free, cruelty free, environmentally friendly, plastic free products. So this is definitely a good start!!! Thanks for the recipe.
I loved this recipe! I ran out of coconut oil though, so instead I used jasmine oil. My mom’s birthday is coming up and I can’t wait for her to see use the scrub! I also replaced the lemon extract oil with peppermint essential oil, so it still smells fresh. Thanks!
If you use actual berries and take the food coloring out, you get the same color and the fruit brightens your skin tone (and then there is no chance of your skin staining from food coloring)….
Wow thanks that’s helpful
Do j have to use food dye or can I leave it the original color??
What size jars did you use ?
I love this I wish they could deliver it to me and my family ❤️🍿
That’s wonderful news, Ariana! I am so happy to know how much you liked it!
I used lemon essential oil. And I can hardly smell the lemon. Is it supposed to have a strong s ent? Used the drops as recommended plus more.
Hi, Michelle Van! Yes, it will have a strong scent because you used the lemon essential oil, and it will be good as well because you can smell the aromatic scent of the lemon while enjoying the sugar scrub. My sister also likes the lemon scent, so she included that essential oil with a lemon scent in the sugar scrub. Actually, her room smells lemony too hahaha!
Hi there !
Thanks for sharing this great recipe. I would like to make some with my 3rd Grade classroom for Mother’s Day. I am wondering if using regular vegetable oil would be ok (like the cheap one) instead of olive oil… as I am trying to keep my budget low. Otherwise would Canola oil work ?
Thanks for your help.
Julie
Hi, Julie! Great! That is so cool and sweet of the children to make one for their mothers. Indeed! You can use regular vegetable oil, olive oil, or sunflower oil, any cheaper will work as long as it is clear and odorless. Share a photo of the sugar scrub activity you did, this will be probably one of the cutest pictures!
Can i substitute the coconut oil with anything else? I could go out and get it but im too lazy lol
Hi, Robin! Yes, you can use sunflower oil instead. When my sister hits laziness, she will just grab my sunflower oil from the cabinet for her sugar scrub! And I think it works, and there is no difference from coconut oil.