A simply perfect homemade beauty DIY made with coconut oil! This all-natural Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub recipe smells good enough to eat, plus it's super easy to make! It can soften and exfoliate your entire body. Free printable labels.
This Pink Lemonade Sugar Scrub is also a homemade favorite!
These are the kind of gifts we love!
This Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub is one of our absolute favorites! Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipes are an excellent way to pamper yourself and smooth out those rough spots or give as thoughtful gifts without spending a ton of money.
We have to keep telling ourselves not to lick the jar!
Did you know there are many benefits to sugar scrubs beyond just their ability to soften and remove your dry, dead skin so well?
Store-bought varieties of body scrubs are lovely. They really are, but they can be expensive or contain questionable ingredients.
It's easy to make your own sugar scrub at home in less than 10 minutes with a few simple natural ingredients you might already have in your kitchen.
So, let's get started!
This Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub smells so darn good and softens and moisturizes your skin beautifully.
This post originally appeared on Somewhat Simple
Table of Contents
Ingredients for DIY Brown Sugar Scrub
This post contains affiliate links. Disclosure policy here.
- 1 cup organic brown sugar
- ½ cup oil (almond oil, olive oil, or coconut oil work best)
- ½ teaspoon vitamin E oil (acts as a natural preservative)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
How to Make
- First, place all ingredients in a bowl and mix them together. You can add more or less oil to your liking. If you like a thick scrub, use less oil. If you want a thinner scrub, use more.
- Store in an airtight container. Since this recipe doesn't contain any chemical preservatives, it's best if you use it within a month or two.
Tips & Tricks
- Although you make this recipe with brown sugar, you may substitute organic white sugar.
- The brown sugar is measured when it's slightly packed.
- One recipe makes roughly 8-ounces of scrub.
- If stored in an airtight container and kept clean, it should last about three months.
- We recommend using non-fractioned coconut oil (non-liquid) to gain the most therapeutic benefit.
- The vitamin E oil adds a bit more softness when using your scrub and provides a natural preservative to the recipe. If you don't have any on hand, you can leave it out, but it may not last as long.
- Free Printable Tags are included for your convenience.
Tip: If using coconut oil, it may solidify over time. Just place it in a shallow bowl of warm water to soften it again.
How to Use Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub
- First, scoop a small amount of the Vanilla Scrub in your hands with a clean spoon.
- Scrub all over your hands or feet - or wherever you'd like a little extra softness.
- Take a deep, cleansing breath. Allow the scrub to sit on your skin for 3-4 minutes. Enjoy this time to rest and relax.
- Rinse yourself well, and then pat dry with a soft towel.
You may use your scrub up to three times per week.
You can also use this as a brown sugar lip scrub.
How to Make Your Sugar Scrub a Gift + Printable Tags
This brown sugar scrub makes the perfect DIY gift!
- Place your finished scrub in a pretty jar or container, and you'll have your handmade gift ready to go. We find mason jars extremely cute for this recipe.
- Print the free tags and tie them on with a pretty ribbon or twine.
This DIY sugar scrub works well for a baby shower, birthday, or holiday gifts, too. Oh, and don't forget your co-workers!
If you want to give your scrub as a gift, click here for your free Vanilla Brown Sugar Labels.
We Love to Hear From You!
If you try this Brown Sugar Scrub or any other recipe on Suburban Simplicity, don't forget to rate the recipe and let us know how it went in the comments below; we love hearing from you! Better yet, use the hashtag #suburbansimplicity if you make the recipe.
You can also FOLLOW US FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more delicious food, fun crafts, + DIYs!
This all-natural Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub recipe smells good enough to eat plus it's super easy to make! It can soften and exfoliate your entire body. Since this recipe doesn’t contain any preservatives, it’s best if it’s used within a month or two. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.Simple Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub DIY
Materials
Tools
Instructions
Notes
Recommended Products
You may also like these other DIY Beauty Ideas:
Mikaylah Doolittle says
I love making sugar scrubs and I've been reading everything. I have a question. So you said if you have acne prone skin to not use coconut oil and use honey. Do you put the same amount of honey as you would coconut? I feel like that's a lot of honey but I just want to be sure 😂
Erin Henry says
You can use less honey, Mikaylah, but you may need to do some trial and error until you figure out the right amount.
Andrea says
Looking forward to trying. Does the vanilla extract have to be pure?
Erin Henry says
Hi Andrea, we like pure vanilla extract because it tends to have fewer ingredients. You can use others if you'd like.
Emily says
I loved this!
Emily says
Thank you for sharing! I work in a factory so I barely get time to “feel like a woman” and this scrub did the job for me. It allowed me to do something simple but enjoyable that didn’t break the bank!
Erin Henry says
This warm our hearts, Emily! So glad you found an easy and inexpensive DIY that you can pamper yourself with! You deserve it!
VAnessa says
Thanks for sharing! How far ahead of time can I make them?
Suzanne says
This looks so good! What a fun gift to make for friends for Christmas!
Amber Brittian says
Hi. I was wondering if you self printed the tabs for your product or if you got them done. Im trying to create something similar but was wondering if you had to cut them yourself? any advice helps thanks
Erin Henry says
Glad you like the recipe! The tags are self printed and punched out.
Sophia Adderley says
I just made it, I love the smell. I use the almond oil. Will update later.
Tamoya says
If we were to use a preservative in place of vitamin E, what amount would work best for this recipe?
Erin Henry says
Hi Tamoya, we try to keep our bath and beauty products all-natural, so don't add anything but vitamin E oil to preserve them. Therefore, we don't know what the proportions would be for another preservative.
Melissa says
Smells so yummy and works so well! Thanks so much!
Erin Henry says
One of our absolute favorites, Melissa! Hope you enjoy all the benefits!
katerina @ diethood.com says
I can't wait to make this! It sounds fabulous!
Alisha says
I've been needing something like this. I have some rough patches to smooth out. Going to try it!
Erin Henry says
This recipe is perfect for those rough patches. Use a couple of times per week and you'll be good to go!
candy fouts says
how many ounces does each batch make so I know what size container I need?
Erin Henry says
One batch makes roughly eight ounces, Candy.
Marti says
In the scrubs with brown sugar did you measure the sugar packed or loose?
Erin Henry says
Just slightly packed, Marti.
Frances says
what is a natural preservative that I could put in this scrub to make it last longer?
Erin says
Hi Frances, I use vitamin E oil because it acts as a natural preservative and provides a little extra softness. Thanks for stopping by!
Shirley Wood says
My daughter made something similar for me and it was just fabulous. I loved using it, especially on my hands. Pinned. So glad you share with us at Merry Monday. See ya next week!
Julie says
If using coconut oil, won't it solidify?
Erin says
Hi Julie, good question. Because it's mixed with the other ingredients, it is a nice consistency for using as a scrub. If you use within a month or two and keep it in an airtight container is should be good!
Julie says
Tried it with coconut oil. It was great for the first use, but the leftovers solidified.
Janni says
What type of coconut oil did you use? Was it fractionated? Thanks
Erin says
Good question. It get the most therapeutic benefit, I would use non-fractionated coconut oil. I just melt it in the microwave to get it soft enough to mix together.
Tammy says
So what oil did you use to make the sugar scrub? I am confused? I want mine to smell good!
Erin says
The vanilla usually makes mine spell amazing, especially mixed with the sugar. I usually use coconut oil in mine. You could also try almond oil, which has a lovely smell.
Laura says
hi Erin and thanks so much for these great ideas! I am teaching a STEM class with a DIY focus and your scrubs will be perfect. Happy to share your blog address too!
Quick question-Worried about the food coloring staining hands. Have you had any issues? Wondering if I should look for a safe colorant. Any advice would be so appreciated!
Erin says
Hi Laura,
I think some food coloring will stain hands. There are several plant-based food colorings that work well. Perhaps that would be a better option for a STEM class? Here's an example: https://amzn.to/2Js3hXC
Rossana says
Can't wait to try it.
Mary Schuh says
Hi! I love your sugar scrub recipes. I made the pink lemonade and the vanilla lavender. Is there any way you would be willing to share you labels for the vanilla lavender like you did for the pink lemonade? Thanks!
Erin says
Hi Mary, I will work on creating those in the near future! Thanks!
Debbi says
What can be substituted for vitamin E oil if I don't have any?
Erin says
Hi Debbie, the vitamin E oil is optional. It gives the scrub a little more softness and preserves it a little longer. If you don't have any you'll be okay, just use it up before it spoils 🙂
Sarah says
I would think most drug stores would carry Vitamin E in capsule form, then you stick a pin in it et voila, oil..
I have loved using vitamin E oil for many years now, my kids somehow ended up with warts one year (oh the things kids pick up at school!) and our doc sent us to a dermatologist who literally took off a piece of my pointer finger with his (true story!) LASER that he said was perfectly safe to remove them.
I was so grateful that I listened to my gut and went first - we never went back to that derm, my Pop is a huge advocate of E for his dry skin so we all rubbed vit E on and no more warts. I still look at my hands and wonder how many people are missing part of a finger! Something about E and a lot of sunshine that summer, I had two places and comparing the laser to the one I just used E on... well, that got me very much into "home remedies"!
Sorry for the life story 🙂 I just always want to pass on good news!
Melanie says
I’m excited to try this and give as as gifts for the holidays! Just wondering what type of brown sugar you used?
Erin says
I like to use any organic brown sugar, Melanie. However, any brown sugar (light or dark) you use will work.
Kaci says
Just wondering if I can use regular coconut oil? I bought the liquid cooking coconut oil and wondering if that would be fine.
Erin says
Hi Kaci, In a pinch, I've used liquid coconut oil. However, in general it's best to use regular since it has all the beneficial qualities you want in a beauty product.
Tammy says
Hi! Erin
Where did you purchase you coconut oil?
Erin says
Hi Tammy, I purchase my coconut oil from several sources. Walmart has in inexpensive Organic one and recently, Costco started carrying an organic one as well. It's large, but I cook and make crafts with it, so It's not so bad 🙂 Amazon also has some -here's one: https://amzn.to/2Hk8XxP.
Just make sure NOT to get a fractionated one...you'll lose the therapeutic benefits 🙂
Stasha says
I just made this and smells delicious. Mine isn’t a lot drier the. What yours looks like. Any advice?
Erin says
Hi Stasha. Depending on what type of oil you used, that could happen. Just add a bit more oil until you reach your desired consistency.
Melissa says
Love this! Can you provide a link for the adorable jars?
Erin says
Hi Melissa, I think this one here is the closest to what's used in the how-to: http://amzn.to/2zTaP0X
M says
Hi! Where did you find your cute jars?
Erin says
I'm all about the cute jars! I usually find them at Michael's and sometimes at Target. I also like this gasket one from Amazon http://amzn.to/2yhTRFn.
Francesca Hutchinson-Ward says
Where can I get labels/tags like this? Thank you. X
Erin says
Hi Francesca, there are free printable gift tags included in the post. You just need to click the link. Let me know if you have any problems.
Liliya says
I love DIYs like this! It is simple and very useful. I know TheBeautyInsiders website has a lot of posts like this and I love them <3
Erin says
I agree, simple and useful are the perfect combination! That's a great website!
melissa says
If using coconut oil do you melt it first?
Erin says
Hi Melissa, I use liquid coconut oil, so it's not an issue. If you're using solid coconut oil, you'd have to melt it a bit to be able to mix it all together. It will likely harden a bit after it's mixed, though.
Devra says
Hi Erin, I tried this and it came out looking like cookie dough. I wonder if I mixed it too much. Has this ever happened to you?
Erin says
Hi Devra, No, that's never happened to me. I think you may be right, perhaps it was mixed too much. You are really just stirring to combine the ingredients and then leaving it alone. You used brown sugar?
Ely says
I made this with the exact measurements you posted, but mine came out all runny. Your's looks nice and thick like sugar scrub is supposed to... I tried adding more brown sugar, but it didn't make much difference. What am I missing?
Erin says
That's so strange, Ely. I used the exact measurements listed. I would say you're on the right track. You can add more sugar until you reach the consistency you desire. If needed, once you add more sugar, add a teeny bit more vanilla.
Jay says
Hi I can't wsit to try! What size jar does one batch make?
Erin says
You'll love this scrub! The recipe makes about 1 1/2 cups. You can use it all in one container or make smaller ones. Whatever you prefer. Enjoy!
Shirley says
I love the smell from these ingredients. My summer feet could use some pampering too! Pinned it. Thanks for sharing with us at Merry Monday.
Erin says
Mine too. My feet are dry and cracking, I am making a new flavor this week, so stay tuned! This will probably be my all-time favorite because it smells so good though.
Michelle says
Wow Erin, just @WAYWOW. I can't wait to try some of this. I love the smell of vanilla and using it as a scrub definitely works for me.
Erin says
I love the contrast the brown sugar brings to this recipe. Time to get to work on those dry feet from summer flip flops!! Enjoy, Michelle!
Nikki says
Erin, I think I would definitely have to remind myself not to lick myself after I apply this. It looks delicious. But I'm sure my skin would feel delicious after I used it. I love knowing that what I'm putting in my mouth is chemical free, and I have been paying far more attention to what I put on my skin too. What a perfect gift idea, one that the recipient will use to pamper themselves and I love giving a gift that shows that I took time and put thought into. This is perfect with the holidays right around the corner.
Erin says
Me too, Nikki. I've been paying way more attention lately to what I'm putting on my body and my kids. It just makes sense...too many chemicals in our environment. I just love how simple and lovely this pampering scrub is for a DIY.
Estefania - The Spanish Mom says
I'm definitely going to try this at home! And I agree that this is an awesome gift too!
Thanks for the post 🙂
Erin says
I love giving this as gifts! Put it in a pretty jar or bottle and you're all set!! Print the tag for added cuteness!