Uncover incredibly soft skin and will shed those dry skin scales with these delicious smelling DIY sugar scrub recipes!
I love making DIY sugar scrub. I’ve made it for years now, and not only do we love them in our shower, but they make great gifts as well. Since I’ve made several rounds of this stuff over the years, my fun now comes from coming up with new flavor combinations (I know that technically they’re scents, but I have always called them flavors, anyone else do that?)
These become especially useful this time of year, as the moisture disappears from our skin as the leaves disappear from the trees The large granuals in the sugar slough off dry skin flakes and the soothing oil leaves behind silky smooth, moisturized skin that will require no lotion!
DIY Sugar Scrubs
Here are the basics you need for any of the recipes (get a printable instruction card at the bottom of this post):
- Glass jar with airtight locking lid
- 1/2 cup turbinado sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- Almond Oil (fractionated coconut, grapeseed or even just olive oil will work too). Pour the oil on top of the sugar (it will take awhile to sink in all the way so you will pour it in slowly). All other ingredients will be added to this recipe.
Really the scent combinations are endless, but these are a few of my recent favorite concoctions, along with free printable labels (you can download them here!)
Orange Coconut Sugar Body Scrub
This one reminds me of a fresh creamsicle, it definitely smells good enough to eat!
When you smell this, you will see why I call them flavors; it smells delicious enough to eat!
- 20 drops orange essential oil
- 20 drops coconut essential oil
- The zest of 1 orange (you can get all of the zest with one of my favorite kitchen tools, a Microplane
).
* Note that if you use orange zest, it will shorten the shelf life of the sugar scrub to about 3 months. So if you plan to gift it or you don’t plant to use it right away, you can just omit that part.
Mix all ingredients together.
Cucumber Mint DIY DIY Body Scrub
This one is so invigorating!
Mix all ingredients together.
Lavender Eucalyptus Sugar Scrub
Very calming; great for before bed and clearing congestion.
- 25 drops Lavender Essential Oil
- 15 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- 1/8 cup dried lavender
* Note that if you use dried lavender, it will shorten the shelf life of the sugar scrub to about 3 months. So if you plan to gift it or you don’t plan to use it right away, you can just omit that part.
Mix all ingredients together.
Rosemary Lemon DIY Sugar Scrub
This one is so refreshing and smells like spring!

- 20 drops rosemary essential oil
- 20 drops lemon essential oil
- The zest of 1 lemon
* Note that if you use lemon zest, it will shorten the shelf life of the sugar scrub to about 3 months. So if you plan to gift it or you don’t plan to use it right away, you can just omit that part.
Mix together.
Lime Green Tea DIY Sugar Scrub
This one is so fresh and energizing!
- 3 tablespoons powdered matcha green tea
- 20 drops lime essential oil
- The zest of 1 lime
* The shelf life of this recipe is about 3 months due to the tea and lime zest.
Add 20 drops lime essential oil into the carrier oil.
Pour carrier oil, lime oil and lime zest into jar with sugar, mix well.
Do you have any favorite DIY beauty products? If you decide to give any of these a try, I hope you enjoy the flavors! 😉

DIY Sugar Scrub Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine sugars thoroughly.
- Add in any mix-ins (fruit zest, dried lavender, etc.) and pour into an airtight glass jar.
- Pour fractionated coconut oil and essential oils over the sugar mixture and combine.
Kim says
In regard to the orange coconut scent, are you talking about using a coconut essential oil? All my coconut oil is without scent or taste. Is it a type of food oil you’re using?
Lydia says
HI Kim! Now I’ve been using coconut extract from the grocery store and it smells great!
Chelsea says
Awesome! How long do these last once mixed up? Do they separate or get gross if you don’t use them fast enough? Thanks so much!
Lydia says
Hi Chelsea! I’ve never had them longer than 5 months (I either use them or give them away by then) but they’re still perfectly in tact at that point. I hope you love them like I do! 🙂
Lejla says
I’m ready for a craft day!!!! Let’s make rustic state signs..and by we, I mean, I purchase supplies and watch you make them for me whilst drinking wine!
Manda says
I’m going to make these for my bridesmaids!
Lydia says
What an awesome idea Manda! I should have done that!
Elaine @ OMG Lifestyle Blog says
I first fell in love with sugar scrubs in NYC when I had a pedicure there. Thanks for these recipes! Can’t wait to make a couple of them for summer sandals wearing!
Lydia says
Great idea for using them with your pedis!
Hannah says
Ooooh these sound great can’t wait to try one!