DIY Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub Recipe

A wonderful DIY coconut oil sugar scrub recipe. Chemical-free, fragrance-free, and all-natural ingredients for a lovely, nourishing homemade body scrub.

Within this blog post, I’ll include how to make sugar scrubs and what is sugar scrub used for. I’ll also include how long will homemade sugar scrubs last and include a simple DIY coconut oil sugar scrub recipe. This homemade body scrub can then be used yourself or makes a beautiful present for a loved one.

Homemade body scrub recipes are an excellent way to make an all-natural body product. Because as much as I love sugar scrubs, it’s a little crazy all the chemicals inside store-bought scrubs. Especially considering that it’s so easy to make your own version at a fraction of the cost, with no nasty additives.

At a Christmas market a few years ago, someone was luring passers-by into their shop to try hand scrubs. I’m not going to lie, the results were terrific and my skin was so soft. Wooed by the Christmas atmosphere and my soft skin, I ended up buying a tub of the scrub.

In hindsight, I wish I hadn’t because as much as I loved it, I know better now. It’s so simple to make a homemade body scrub that’s chemical-free. I’ll never buy a commercial version again.

For this DIY coconut oil sugar scrub recipe, there are only three ingredients. Sugar, coconut oil, and your favorite essential oil. I also then added some dried roses for aesthetic reasons. This is entirely optional, but I wanted to make these as a gift and knew my friend would like them.

Plus, you can be quite clever with your essential oil choice based on their health benefits and aromatherapy benefits.

The Health Benefits of Rose Essential Oil

Based on real-life studies done using rose essential oil:

• When inhaled, rose oil is thought to release “feel-good” endorphins and reduce pain levels.
• When applied to the skin, rose oil can help reduce stress and anxiety. It lowers heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure.
• Furthermore, there have been studies showing it has positive effects on people suffering from depression.
• Rose oil also has antibacterial properties and reduces infection.
• The oil also has moisturizing properties when using it on the skin ( with a carrier oil) or inhaling it. Inhaling it actually reduces water loss in the skin.
• Rose oil has various other skin benefits too, including refining skin texture and benefiting skin conditions like psoriasis.

Not to mention that it just smells fantastic and is one of my favorite floral scents. 

Other Essential Oils You May Want to Use

• Lavender – Another relaxing one for stress relief, to help you sleep, antidepressant and anti-inflammatory properties, etc.
• Sandalwood – A lovely woodsy scent. Helps to calm nerves and aid focus.
• Peppermint – This oil can be used to boost energy. Inhaling it has also been shown to reduce headaches, aid digestion, and reduce IBS symptoms, etc.
• Patchouli – Has mood-lifting anti-anxiety and antidepressant properties. It is used for skin infections, skin healing, skin cell growth, etc.
• Chamomile – For relaxation, to aid sleep, and improve your mood. Also, it’s suitable for various skin conditions and is anti-inflammatory, etc.
• Orange Oil – great for skincare due to the Vitamin C. Also has anti-anxiety properties and pain relief, etc.
• Eucalyptus – Helps enhance focus and is good for respiratory issues. Also has cooling abilities that help with muscle aches etc.

Honestly, there are so many options here. I love aromatherapy but I’m not an expert on the subject. If you want to learn more about using essential oils:

Here’s a link for more information on essential oils and how they work. And here is an essential oil guide, to help you see the various benefits of 130 different essential oils.

Note that certain essential oils should be avoided by those with medical conditions and women who are pregnant. Double-check, before choosing the oils you want.

What Coconut Oil to Use for a Body Scrub

You should try to use a cold processed unrefined oil (extra virgin coconut oil) for this recipe. Some cooking coconut oils are refined in a way that removes some of the benefits. Organic Virgin coconut oil, however, will maintain the most skin benefits.

You can also make your own virgin coconut oil to use.

What Kind of Sugar Can You Use in Homemade Body Scrub Recipes

In terms of what sugar you can use in DIY sugar scrub recipes, there are many options. From regular granulated, brown sugar, superfine. The main difference is that the larger the sugar grains, the more exfoliating they’ll be.

However, be careful with choosing any sugar that is too rough. For example, turbinado sugar has large grains and so will be a lot rougher on the skin. I prefer to use less abrasive options. Alternatively, you can also use fine sea salt, coffee, oatmeal, and almond meal – to name a few.

The main thing with choosing an exfoliant for your homemade body scrub is knowing what benefits you want. It’s also good to make a scrub for different skin types. Coarser exfoliants will work well for feet and legs and general body usage. Fine sugar and softer ingredients like oatmeal and almond meal would work well for face scrubs.

What is a Sugar Scrub Used For and How to Use Sugar Scrubs

Sugar scrubs are used to gently exfoliate and hydrate your skin by removing the top layer of dead skin cells. Depending on the exfoliant used, carrier oil, and any additional ingredients, the sugar scrub may have other benefits. You can also make them more suited to specific skin types and needs.

Salt scrubs tend to be more exfoliating than sugar and are best used on your body and feet. In spas, they tend to use salt scrubs for cellulite treatments too. Sugar scrubs using fine sugar can be used on your body and face and are good for people with sensitive skin.

To use a sugar scrub, the process is fairly simple – wet your skin, apply the scrub, massage into the skin, and rinse off. However, there are a few tips worth noting.

• The first tip is that these scrubs aren’t designed for daily usage. I suggest using them 1-2 times weekly, maximum. 
• I prefer to use the scrub at the end of my shower. This has given my skin the time to become softer from the warm water. I have also shaved ( do this beforehand to avoid irritation) and washed my skin already. 
• Finally, when using your sugar scrub, gently massage it onto your skin in a circular motion. If you want to take advantage of its moisturizing properties more, leave it for a couple of minutes before rinsing. This is great for dry skin too!

How long will homemade sugar scrub last?

The shelf life depends entirely on what exfoliant you’ve used in your homemade body scrub. If giving a scrub as a gift, I’d suggest choosing a sugar or salt option as these will keep for longer. I also like to include a handy “use by” sticker on the jar.

In general, most homemade sugar scrubs will last around 6 months. The most important tip is to keep the lid on the jar as much as possible. This will help stave off the carrier oil going rancid. Once the oil has gone rancid, you’ll be able to smell the difference in your scrub.

I like to make all my scrubs into little individual-use cubes and keep them in the fridge. This is particularly handy if you live in a warm or humid climate. It also helps the scrub last longer as you can just pop out a cube or two before your shower. This way means you don’t have to worry about getting water in your scrub at all etc. 

How to Make the Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub

For this DIY coconut oil sugar scrub recipe, you’ll need:

• 1 cup granulated white sugar
• 1 cup organic virgin coconut oil,
• A few drops of rose essential oil ( or your oil of choice)
• and optionally a few dry roses.

Unlike many carrier oils, coconut oil should be heated slightly to mix in with the sugar. therefore I chose a sugar that wasn’t TOO fine, for less chance of it melting in the heated coconut oil. 

The first step to making your coconut oil sugar scrub is to soften the coconut oil. I microwaved it for a few seconds at a time so that it wouldn’t completely melt, but would soften. This will stop it from dissolving the sugar.

Next, you mix the coconut oil, sugar, essential oil, and dry roses.

If you want to make this into a jar scrub, you can now transfer this to an airtight, sterile jar. I prefer individual scrub cubes ( reasons listed in the blog post above). For sugar scrub cubes, pour the mix into an ice-cube tray.

Freeze this for around 15 minutes, to set the coconut oil and harden the cubes. You can then use your scrubs immediately.

To store your coconut oil sugar scrub, use a sterile, airtight jar. If you live in colder climates, you can leave this at room temperature. However, for those living in warm or humid climates, I’d suggest storing the jar in the fridge.

Note* I prefer to leave DIY sugar scrub cubes in the fridge anyway. I simply pop out a cube or two when needed and return it to the fridge. This will keep the scrub usable for longer. Plus, you can avoid getting any water/shower steam in the jar and affecting the shelf life.

If making this homemade scrub for a Christmas present, decorate the jar with a ribbon and stickers. I’d also suggest including a little label with usage instructions. I would also include a “use by” date so you know how long the homemade sugar scrub should last. 

For another beauty Christmas present option, you may like this beginner’s guide to homemade soap. And if you like DIY gifts, check Candle Making for Beginners.

DIY Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub Recipe

DIY coconut oil sugar scrub recipe a homemade body scrub. This blog also includes how to make sugar scrub, what is sugar scrub used for and how long will sugar scrub last.

4.91 from 11 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: DIYs

Prep Time: 3 minutes minutes

Additional Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 18 minutes minutes

Servings: 20 cubes

Author: Samira

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 cup granulated white sugar
• ▢ 1 cup organic virgin coconut oil
• ▢ A few drops of rose essential oil or your oil of choice
• ▢ A few dry roses optional

Suggested Equipment

• ▢
  ice-cube tray

Instructions

• The first step to making your coconut oil sugar scrub is to soften the coconut oil. I microwaved it for a few seconds at a time so that it wouldn’t completely melt, but would soften. This will stop it from dissolving the sugar.
• Next, you mix the coconut oil, sugar, essential oil and dry roses.
• If you want to make this into a single jar of scrub, then you can now transfer this to an airtight, sterile jar. I prefer individual scrub cubes ( reasons listed in the blog post above), so I pour the mix into an ice-cube tray.
• Freeze this for around 15 minutes, to set the coconut oil and harden the cubes. You can then use your scrubs immediately.
• To store your coconut oil sugar scrub, use a sterile, airtight jar. If you live in colder climates, you can leave this at room temperature. However, for those living in warm or humid climates, I’d suggest storing the jar in the fridge.
• If using your homemade sugar scrub for a Christmas present, pop them into a jar and decorate with a ribbon and stickers. I’d also suggest including a little label with usage instructions. I would also include a ‘use by’ date so you know how long the homemade sugar scrub should last. 

Notes

note – Unlike many carrier oils for sugar scrubs, coconut oil should be heated slightly to be able to mix in with the sugar. Because of this, I chose a sugar that wasn’t TOO fine, so there’s less chance of it melting in the heated coconut oil. 

Note* I prefer to leave DIY sugar scrub cubes in the fridge anyway and pop out a cube or two when needed. This will keep the scrub useable for longer. Plus, you can avoid getting any water/shower steam in the jar and affecting the shelf life.

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