This Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub recipe smells good enough to eat plus it’s super easy to make! A simply perfect homemade DIY!
Simple Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub
This post originally appeared on Somewhat Simple
Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub
Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipes are a wonderful way to pamper yourself and smooth out those rough spots or give as thoughtful gifts without spending a ton. These are the kind of gifts I love! This Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub is one of my favorites! I just have to keep telling my self not to lick the jar!
Store bought varieties of body scrubs are lovely, they really are, but can be expensive or have questionable ingredients. It’s easy to make your own in less than 10 minutes with a few simple natural ingredients you might already have in your kitchen. My daughters helped make this batch and couldn’t believe how easy it really is.
This Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub smells so darn good and softens and moisturizes your skin beautifully.
Ingredients for Brown Sugar Scrub
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1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup oil (almond, olive or coconut work best)
1/2 teaspoon vitamin E oil
1 teaspoon real vanilla extract
How to Make
- Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix together. You can add more or less oil to your liking.
- Store in an air tight container. Since this recipe doesn’t contain any preservatives, it’s best if it’s used within a month or two.
How to Use Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub
- Scoop a small amount of the Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub in your hands with a spoon.
- Scrub all over your hands or feet – or wherever you’d like a little extra softness.
- Allow to sit on your on your skin for 3-4 minutes. Enjoy this time to rest and relax.
- Rinse well and then pat dry with a soft towel.
This sugar scrub makes the perfect DIY gift! Place it in a pretty jar or container and you’ll have your handmade gift ready to go. This sugar scrub works well for a baby shower, birthday or holiday gifts too.
If you want the darling tag to go with your Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub, click here.
What’s your favorite DIY beauty product?
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Table of Contents
what is a natural preservative that I could put in this scrub to make it last longer?
Hi Frances, I use vitamin E oil because it acts as a natural preservative and provides a little extra softness. Thanks for stopping by!
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!
If using coconut oil, won’t it solidify?
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!
Tried it with coconut oil. It was great for the first use, but the leftovers solidified.
What type of coconut oil did you use? Was it fractionated? Thanks
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.
So what oil did you use to make the sugar scrub? I am confused? I want mine to smell good!
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.
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!
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
Can’t wait to try it.
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!
Hi Mary, I will work on creating those in the near future! Thanks!
What can be substituted for vitamin E oil if I don’t have any?
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 🙂
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!
I’m excited to try this and give as as gifts for the holidays! Just wondering what type of brown sugar you used?
I like to use any organic brown sugar, Melanie. However, any brown sugar (light or dark) you use will work.
Just wondering if I can use regular coconut oil? I bought the liquid cooking coconut oil and wondering if that would be fine.
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.
Hi! Erin
Where did you purchase you coconut oil?
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 🙂
I just made this and smells delicious. Mine isn’t a lot drier the. What yours looks like. Any advice?
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.
Love this! Can you provide a link for the adorable jars?
Hi Melissa, I think this one here is the closest to what’s used in the how-to: http://amzn.to/2zTaP0X
Hi! Where did you find your cute jars?
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.
Where can I get labels/tags like this? Thank you. X
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.
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
I agree, simple and useful are the perfect combination! That’s a great website!
If using coconut oil do you melt it first?
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.
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?
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?
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?
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.
Hi I can’t wsit to try! What size jar does one batch make?
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
I’m definitely going to try this at home! And I agree that this is an awesome gift too!
Thanks for the post 🙂
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!