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!
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 sugar scrubs have many benefits 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 post originally appeared on Somewhat Simple
Ingredients for DIY Brown Sugar Scrub
This Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub smells so darn good and softens and moisturizes your skin beautifully.
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 glass container. Since this recipe doesn't contain chemical preservatives, it's best to 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.
- We recommend using non-fractioned coconut oil (non-liquid) to gain the most therapeutic benefit. Just microwave it until it is soft to mix.
- 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.
Pro 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 a vanilla brown sugar scrub
- First, scoop a small amount of the Vanilla Scrub into 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 Often Should I Use a Sugar Scrub?
The frequency of using a sugar scrub depends on your skin type and your personal preferences. In general, it's best to use a sugar scrub no more than 2-3 times a week, as over-exfoliating can potentially irritate and damage your skin. Here are some guidelines:
- Normal Skin: If you have normal skin that isn't particularly sensitive or prone to dryness or oiliness, using a sugar scrub 2-3 times a week should be suitable.
- Sensitive Skin: You should be more cautious if you have sensitive skin. Limit sugar scrub usage to once a week or less, as frequent exfoliation can lead to redness or irritation.
- Oily or Acne-Prone Skin: Those with oily or acne-prone skin may benefit from slightly more frequent exfoliation, around 2-3 times a week. However, be careful not to overdo it, as excessive scrubbing can exacerbate acne.
- Mature Skin: For mature skin, exfoliating 2-3 times a week can help improve the appearance of fine lines and stimulate cell turnover. Follow up with a good anti-aging skincare routine.
- Body vs. Face: You can use sugar scrubs on your body more frequently than on your face. The skin on your face is generally more sensitive than your body's.
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 also works well for a baby shower, birthday, or holiday gifts. 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.
FAQs
Your homemade sugar scrub should last about three months if stored in an airtight container and kept clean.
You can use almond, olive, or coconut oil, which is our favorite in your sugar scrub.
You can use sugar scrubs on your body more frequently than on your face. The skin on your face is generally more sensitive than your body's. It's always a good idea to patch-test a sugar scrub before using it on your skin to ensure you don't have any adverse reactions.
Love this Brown Sugar Scrub recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down.
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Simple Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub DIY
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.
Materials
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup oil (almond, olive or coconut work best)
- ½ teaspoon vitamin E oil
- 1 teaspoon real vanilla extract
- storage container
Tools
- bowl
- spoon
Instructions
- Gather your ingredients and mixing bowl.
- Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix together. You can add more or less oil to your liking.
- Place in an airtight container and use within 3 months.
Notes
Since this recipe doesn’t contain any preservatives, it’s best if it’s used within a month or two.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
This Sugar Scrub DIY was initially published in 2016. We updated on March 24, 2020, with enhanced instructions and video.
You may also like these other DIY Beauty Ideas:
Tamoya
If we were to use a preservative in place of vitamin E, what amount would work best for this recipe?
Erin Henry
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
Smells so yummy and works so well! Thanks so much!
Erin Henry
One of our absolute favorites, Melissa! Hope you enjoy all the benefits!
katerina @ diethood.com
I can't wait to make this! It sounds fabulous!
Alisha
I've been needing something like this. I have some rough patches to smooth out. Going to try it!
Erin Henry
This recipe is perfect for those rough patches. Use a couple of times per week and you'll be good to go!
candy fouts
how many ounces does each batch make so I know what size container I need?
Erin Henry
One batch makes roughly eight ounces, Candy.
Marti
In the scrubs with brown sugar did you measure the sugar packed or loose?
Erin Henry
Just slightly packed, Marti.
Frances
what is a natural preservative that I could put in this scrub to make it last longer?
Erin
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
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
If using coconut oil, won't it solidify?
Erin
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
Tried it with coconut oil. It was great for the first use, but the leftovers solidified.
Janni
What type of coconut oil did you use? Was it fractionated? Thanks
Erin
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
So what oil did you use to make the sugar scrub? I am confused? I want mine to smell good!
Erin
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
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
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
Can't wait to try it.
Mary Schuh
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
Hi Mary, I will work on creating those in the near future! Thanks!
Debbi
What can be substituted for vitamin E oil if I don't have any?
Erin
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
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!