A DIY sugar scrub is one of the easiest homemade body scrub projects out there: just sugar and a carrier oil, five minutes, and you've got a simple homemade body scrub ready to use. This sugar scrub recipe is easy to customize, whether you want a classic sugar scrub with coconut oil or a simple fragrance-free version. Below, we'll walk through how to make sugar scrub at home, what to know about brown sugar scrub versus white sugar, how to store it so it doesn't spoil, and a few ready-made store-bought picks if you'd rather skip the mixing bowl entirely.
Affiliate disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, BodyWell1 may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
What Is a Sugar Scrub?
A sugar scrub is a physical exfoliant: sugar granules suspended in oil that you massage over skin to help slough off dry, dead surface skin. The oil base also leaves a light coating behind, which is part of why sugar scrubs feel different from a plain soap or wash.
Basic DIY Sugar Scrub Recipe
What you'll need:
- 1 cup granulated white or brown sugar
- 1/2 cup carrier oil (coconut oil, olive oil, or almond oil all work well)
- Optional: a few drops of a skin-appropriate essential oil, if desired
Directions:
- If using coconut oil, gently melt it until it's liquid but not hot.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the sugar and oil until the texture is like wet sand — add a bit more oil if it feels too dry, or a bit more sugar if it feels too oily.
- Stir in your essential oil, if using.
- Spoon into a clean, completely dry jar with a tight-fitting lid.
Brown Sugar vs. White Sugar: Which Should You Use?
Either works, and the choice mostly comes down to texture. Brown sugar granules are generally softer and smaller, so a brown sugar scrub tends to feel gentler on skin. Granulated white sugar gives a somewhat more noticeable scrub. We'd avoid coarse raw or turbinado sugar for a body scrub, since the larger crystals can feel too abrasive, especially on more delicate skin.
Best Oils for a Homemade Sugar Scrub
The carrier oil is what turns loose sugar into a scrub, and it also affects how the finished product feels:
- Coconut oil — solid at room temperature, melts on contact with warm skin, and is the most common base for a sugar scrub with coconut oil.
- Jojoba oil — lightweight and closer to skin's natural oils, so it tends to feel less greasy.
- Sweet almond oil — a lighter, fast-absorbing option that still keeps the scrub cohesive.
- Olive oil — widely available and richer in texture, though the scent is more noticeable than the other options.
If you'd rather not use coconut oil, any of these skin-compatible carrier oils can be substituted in equal amounts.
Fragrance-Free DIY Sugar Scrub
Essential oils are completely optional. If you want a simple fragrance-free body scrub, or you're making it for someone with sensitive skin, you can leave essential oils out entirely and just use sugar and your carrier oil of choice. The scrub will still exfoliate the same way — it just won't carry a scent.
How to Use a Sugar Scrub
Massage a small amount over damp body skin using gentle, circular pressure, focusing on rougher areas like elbows, knees, hands, and feet. We'd recommend starting with 1–2 times a week and adjusting from there based on how your skin responds. This recipe is formulated for the body, not the face, so we wouldn't recommend using it there. Skip areas that are broken, irritated, sunburned, or freshly shaved. And go easy getting out of the shower or tub afterward — the oil base can make wet surfaces slippery.
How to Store Homemade Sugar Scrub
Homemade products don't go through the preservation and stability testing that commercial products do, so we'd treat a batch of this scrub as a short-term, small-batch project rather than something to stock up on. Make small batches, store in a clean, completely dry container, and keep water out of the jar. Scoop out only what you need using clean, dry hands or a dry spoon. Discard the scrub if you notice changes in its smell, color, or texture.
Prefer a Ready-Made Option?
If you love the idea of a sugar scrub but would rather skip the mixing bowl, here are a few ready-made picks from our Natural Body Care collection, each suited to a slightly different preference:
Bare Botanics Coconut Vanilla Body Scrub
Sea salt exfoliator, 24 oz
Good for shoppers who prefer a traditional, scented body scrub.
Organic Fiji Whole Body Sugar Scrub
Fragrance-free, USDA Organic, 20 fl oz
Good for shoppers looking for a fragrance-free sugar scrub.
Kitsch Sugar Body Scrub Bar Soap
Walnut shell & coconut oil, 4 oz
Good for shoppers who want a convenient solid scrub bar instead of a jar.
Josie Maran Argan Sugar Balm Body Scrub
Baked Lemon Bliss, 4.4 oz
Good for shoppers wanting a richer, more moisturizing, vegan sugar scrub.
FAQ
Can I make sugar scrub without coconut oil?
Yes. Jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, and olive oil all work as substitutes in equal amounts.
Is brown sugar or white sugar better for body scrub?
Both work well. Brown sugar tends to feel softer and gentler, while white sugar gives a slightly more noticeable scrub. We'd skip coarse raw sugar for a body scrub, especially on sensitive skin.
How often should you use a sugar scrub?
Start with 1–2 times a week and adjust based on how your skin responds.
Can you make sugar scrub without essential oils?
Yes, essential oils are entirely optional. Sugar and a carrier oil alone will still exfoliate.
How should homemade sugar scrub be stored?
In a clean, completely dry container, kept away from water, using clean, dry hands or a dry spoon to scoop it out. Discard it if you notice any change in smell, color, or texture.
Can I use homemade sugar scrub on my face?
No, this recipe is formulated for the body. Facial skin is more delicate and typically needs a gentler exfoliant.
Keep Building Your Clean Body-Care Routine
Once you've exfoliated, moisturizing is the natural next step — our guide to cleaner body lotions can help you find a lotion to lock in moisture afterward. If you enjoyed making this scrub and want more homemade projects, our DIY clean blush recipe and DIY nail soak are both easy weekend projects. And if you're looking to round out your routine with a few simple product changes, check out 10 clean beauty swaps you can make this week.
Want More DIY Recipes and Clean Living Tips?
Sign up below and we'll send our best DIY recipes, ingredient breakdowns, and clean product picks straight to your inbox.