10 Homemade Body Scrubs For Glowing Skin And Their Benefits

Master the craft of making these smoothening scrubs with natural ingredients.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Schwarzburg, MD Dr. Schwarzburg Dr. SchwarzburgMD insta_icon
Written by , BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma Arshiya Syeda BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma linkedin_icon Experience: 8 years
Edited by , MA (English Literature) Ramona Sinha MA (English Literature) linkedin_icon Experience: 11 years
Fact-checked by , MA (Journalism & Mass Communication) Monomita Chakraborty MA (Journalism & Mass Communication) linkedin_icon Experience: 4 years
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Cleansing and moisturizing is nothing short of religious practice that you need to follow regularly. However, at times, your body needs extra care, and that is where scrubs come into the picture. You can use homemade body scrubs for glowing and healthy skin. How do we make them and how often should we use them? Let us find that out here.

The Benefits Of Using Homemade Body Scrubs

  • Homemade body scrubs are inexpensive and extremely easy to prepare.
  • The right scrubs give your skin the boost it needs to look radiant and flawless.
  • Body scrubs exfoliate your skin and clean your pores, leaving you with soft, smooth, and younger-looking skin.

There are many different ingredients you could use to make a body scrub at home. Following, I’ve put together, a list of 10 body scrub recipes that you are sure to love!

How To Make Body Scrubs At Home

  1. Coffee And Sugar Body Scrub
  2. Sea Salts Body Scrub
  3. Coconut Oil Body Scrub
  4. Olive Oil, Peppermint, And Sugar Scrub
  5. Epsom Salt Body Scrub
  6. Oatmeal Body Scrub
  7. Yogurt Body Scrub
  8. Vanilla And Sugar Body Scrub
  9. Organic Turmeric Body Scrub
  10. Lemon And Sugar Body Scrub

Homemade Body Scrubs For Glowing Skin

Keeping your skin healthy involves exfoliating regularly. This process removes dull skin, boosts circulation, and improves how well your skin absorbs moisturizers. This will help you achieve smooth and radiant skin. So, here are a few body scrubs that you can prepare at home:

1. Coffee And Sugar Body Scrub For Glowing Skin

Woman applying a coffee and sugar body scrub on her arms
Image: Created with Dall.E
You Will Need
  • ¼ cup ground coffee
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 vitamin E capsules
Prep Time

2 minutes

Treatment Time

10 minutes

Method
  1. Combine all the ingredients until you get a coarse paste.
  2. Cleanse your skin and apply this paste onto it.
  3. Use your fingers to gently massage the mixture, in circular motions, on your skin.
  4. Take 5-10 minutes to gently massage and exfoliate your body, spending 1-2 minutes on each part.
  5. Wash the mixture off your body using a hydrating body scrub and lukewarm water.
How Often?

2-3 times a week

How It Works

This is one of the best scrubs you could use for your skin. Coffee is rich in antioxidants, while the sugar in this mixture works as an exfoliator that helps get rid of dead skin (1), (2). The olive oil in this scrub penetrates deep into your skin, hydrating it and keeping it healthy (3).

We can’t deny that coffee grounds make any DIY recipe smell delicious! Here is a list of more such DIY coffee scrub recipes if you want to give them a try.

2. Sea Salt Body Scrub For Glowing Skin

Woman applying sea salt scrub
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
  • 1 cup sea salt
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 5-15 drops of an essential oil of your choice
Prep Time

5 minutes

Treatment Time

15 minutes

Method
  1. Combine all the ingredients until you get a coarse paste.
  2. Cleanse your skin and apply this paste onto it.
  3. Use your fingers to gently massage the mixture, in circular motions, on your skin.
  4. Take 5-10 minutes to gently massage and exfoliate your body, spending 1-2 minutes on each part.
  5. Wash the mixture off your body using a hydrating body scrub and lukewarm water.
How Often?

Once a week for dry skin, twice a week for normal skin, and thrice a week if you have oily skin.

How It Works

Sea salt or dead sea salt is rich in minerals and exfoliating agents that help keep your skin looking young and healthy.

It may help improve blood circulation while also possibly reducing issues such as scarring.

3. Coconut Oil Body Scrub For Glowing Skin

DIY coconut oil body scrub for glowing skin
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
  • ¼ – ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup coconut oil
Prep Time

2 minutes

Treatment Time

15 minutes

Method
  1. Combine the ingredients until you get a coarse paste. Do not heat the oil as this might cause the sugar to melt.
  2. Cleanse your skin and apply this paste onto it.
  3. Use your fingers to gently massage the mixture, in circular motions, on your skin.
  4. Take 5-10 minutes to gently massage and exfoliate your body, spending 1-2 minutes on each part.
  5. Wash the mixture off using a hydrating body scrub and lukewarm water.
How Often?

2-3 times a week

How It Works

This DIY coconut oil sugar scrub is not only an excellent exfoliating agent, but it also helps cleanse your face, remove makeup, and moisturize (4). Coconut oil also has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is a super budget-friendly and easy-to-prepare treatment that will leave your skin feeling like that of a goddess.

protip_icon Quick Tip
If the scent of coconut oil bothers you, add a couple of drops of vanilla extract or an essential oil to this scrub.

4. Olive Oil, Peppermint, And Sugar Scrub For Glowing Skin

DIY homemade olive oil and sugar scrub for glowing skin
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 15 drops peppermint essential oil
Prep Time

5 minutes

Treatment Time

15 minutes

Method
  1. Combine the ingredients until you get a coarse paste. Do not heat the oil as this might cause the sugar to melt.
  2. Cleanse your skin and apply this paste onto it.
  3. Use your fingers to gently massage the mixture, in circular motions, on your skin.
  4. Take 5-10 minutes to gently massage and exfoliate your body, spending 1-2 minutes on each part.
  5. Wash the mixture off using a hydrating body scrub and lukewarm water.
How Often?

2-3 times a week

How It Works

This is a perfect bath scrub for the days that just don’t seem to be happening. Enriched with the refreshing scent of peppermint essential oil, this bath scrub may wake and liven you up with energy.

5. Epsom Salt Body Scrub For Glowing Skin

Homemade Epsom salt body scrub for glowing skin
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
  • 1 cup Epsom salt
  • 2 drops of an essential oil of your choice
  • 3 drops jojoba oil
Prep Time

2 minutes

Treatment Time

15 minutes

Method
  1. Combine the ingredients until you get a coarse paste.
  2. Cleanse your skin and apply this paste onto it.
  3. Use your fingers to gently massage the mixture, in circular motions, on your skin.
  4. Take 5-10 minutes to gently massage and exfoliate your body, spending 1-2 minutes on each part.
  5. Wash the mixture off your body using a hydrating body scrub and lukewarm water.
How Often?

Once a week for dry skin, twice a week for normal skin, and thrice a week for oily skin.

How It Works

Epsom salt is known for its exfoliating properties and for how it helps smoothen rough skin (5).

It is also claimed that salt eases stress, relaxes your muscles, lowers blood pressure, and relieves soreness.


protip_icon Quick Tip
If you don’t want to use essential oil, you can substitute it with citrus zest or extract.

6. Oatmeal Body Scrub For Glowing Skin

DIY oatmeal body scrub for glowing skin
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
  • ½ cup uncooked oatmeal
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup raw honey
  • ¼ cup jojoba oil
  • 2 drops lavender essential oil
  • 4 drops geranium essential oil
  • 4 drops frankincense essential oil
Prep Time

2 minutes

Treatment Time

10-15 minutes

Method
  1. Grind the dry ingredients until you get a fine powder and into it mix the liquid ingredients.
  2. Combine the rest of the ingredients until you get a coarse paste.
  3. Cleanse your skin and apply this paste onto it.
  4. Use your fingers to gently massage the mixture, in circular motions, on your skin.
  5. Take 5-10 minutes to gently massage and exfoliate your body, spending 1-2 minutes on each part.
  6. Wash the mixture off using a hydrating body scrub and lukewarm water.
How Often?

Twice a week

How It Works

Oatmeal is one of the best natural exfoliators.

Not only does it help get rid of dead skin cells but it also soothes and heals troubled skin (6). Moreover, oatmeal is gentle and hydrating, which makes this scrub excellent for those with dry skin. If you are specifically looking for hydrating scrubs, you may try these homemade scrubs for dry skin.

7. Yogurt Body Scrub For Glowing Skin

DIY yogurt body scrub for glowing skin
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
  • 1 tablespoon yogurt
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Prep Time

2 minutes

Treatment Time

10-15 minutes

Method
  1. Combine the ingredients until you get a coarse paste.
  2. Cleanse your skin and apply this paste onto it.
  3. Use your fingers to gently massage the mixture, in circular motions, on your skin.
  4. Take 5-10 minutes to gently massage and exfoliate your body, spending 1-2 minutes on each part.
  5. Wash the mixture off your body using a hydrating body scrub and lukewarm water.
How Often?

2-3 times a week

How It Works

If you have dry skin but need to exfoliate often, this is the body scrub for you. Yogurt has excellent cleansing properties that help clean your skin by removing dead skin cells and impurities. It also helps moisturize your skin (7).

8. Vanilla And Sugar Body Scrub For Glowing Skin

DIY vanilla and sugar body scrub for glowing skin
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
  • 1 ½ cups brown sugar
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 cup olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Prep Time

2 minutes

Treatment Time

10-15 minutes

Method
  1. Combine the ingredients until you get a coarse paste.
  2. Cleanse your skin and apply this paste onto it.
  3. Use your fingers to gently massage the mixture, in circular motions, on your skin.
  4. Take 5-10 minutes to gently massage and exfoliate your body, spending 1-2 minutes on each part.
  5. Wash the mixture off your body using a hydrating body scrub and lukewarm water.
How Often?

2-3 times a week

How It Works

This homemade sugar scrub moisturizes your skin and keeps it looking young and healthy. It efficiently nourishes your skin and keeps it from getting damaged. While this is a very basic sugar scrub recipe, you can always experiment with different ingredients. Learn how to prepare a homemade sugar scrub with easily available ingredients and spice up your bath routine.

Megan, a blogger, recounted her experience of using a homemade sugar and vanilla scrub to combat itchy and dry skin. She wrote, “The sugar was a gentle abrasive, but made mean work of my little patches of dry winter skin, and the olive oil felt nourishing and satiny. I felt like I was glowing after using this (i).”

9. Organic Turmeric Body Scrub For Glowing Skin

DIY organic turmeric body scrub for glowing skin
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons turmeric powder
  • 1 ½ cups coconut oil
Prep Time

5 minutes

Treatment Time

10-15 minutes

Method
  1. Combine the ingredients until you get a coarse paste.
  2. Cleanse your skin and apply this paste onto it.
  3. Use your fingers to gently massage the mixture, in circular motions, on your skin.
  4. Take 5-10 minutes to gently massage and exfoliate your body, spending 1-2 minutes on each part.
  5. Wash the mixture off your body using a hydrating body scrub and lukewarm water.
How Often?

2-3 times a week

How It Works

Turmeric

is one of the most popular natural beauty ingredients used in India. It has strong antiseptic and antibacterial properties which help maintain your skin at its youngest best (8).

10. Lemon And Sugar Body Scrub

DIY lemon and sugar body scrub for glowing skin
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 whole lemon
Prep Time

5 minutes

Treatment Time

10-15 minutes

Method
  1. Slice the lemon in half and squeeze its juice into a bowl. To this, add the other ingredients and mix well.
  2. Cleanse your skin and apply this paste onto it.
  3. Use your fingers to gently massage the mixture, in circular motions, on your skin.
  4. Take 5-10 minutes to gently massage and exfoliate your body, spending 1-2 minutes on each part.
  5. Wash the mixture off using a hydrating body scrub and lukewarm water.
How Often?

Twice a week

How It Works

Lemon is extremely rich in vitamin C and helps give your skin a nourishment boost while also exfoliating it (9). It helps restore your skin’s slightly acidic pH level while ensuring that your skin remains smooth, soft, and supple.

If you have oily skin and don’t want to use lemons, you may also try homemade scrubs for oily skin with other effective ingredients.

Homemade body scrubs are an easy, practical, and economical way to keep your body moisturized and clean. Using the ingredients suitable to your skin type, you can use these body scrubs to get rid of dead skin, unclog your pores, hydrate your skin, and leave you with soft and radiant skin. Be it yogurt, turmeric, oatmeal, lemon, and sugar, or coconut oil body scrub, applying these homemade body scrubs for up to 15 minutes twice a week can leave your skin feeling smooth, supple, and glowing. You can also use various other homemade scrub combinations like orange powder and cinnamon powder with green tea, with some honey and a few drops of water or even glycerin to bind everything, or almond powder with aloe vera gel and a few drops of any essential oil you prefer, be it rosemary, chamomile, eucalyptus, or tea tree oil. Additionally, if you’re seeking an aromatic formula for making the perfect body scrub for women who love a particular scent, you can try some out-of-the-box DIY body exfoliators with different berries like strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, and cranberry that will leave your skin sweet smelling as well. Simply blend the berries into a paste and add 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon coconut oil and enjoy the easy exfoliant with a delightful aroma.

Once you have prepared your favorite body scrub, ensure it is stored properly to preserve its freshness for longer. Keep reading for some essential tips.

Storage Tips for Homemade Body Scrubs

  • Use Airtight Containers: Store your homemade body scrub in airtight containers to prevent exposure to air and moisture, which can reduce its effectiveness.
  • Keep Them Away From Direct Sunlight: Store your body scrub in a cool, dark place to prevent the ingredients from degrading due to sunlight exposure.
  • Avoid Water Exposure: To prevent bacterial growth, avoid introducing water into the scrub container during use. Opt for dry hands or a spoon to scoop out the scrub.
  • Check Consistency Regularly: Regularly check the texture and smell of the body scrub. If it changes or develops an off odor, it is time to discard and make a fresh batch.

Infographic: Which Essential Oils To Use In Body Scrubs And Why?

Body scrubs can play an important role in a skincare routine and help in maintaining healthy and radiant skin. What’s best about homemade body scrubs is that you can handpick the ingredients that go in, and play around with your favorite essential oils for their aroma and beneficial properties for a spa-like treatment.

Check out this infographic to know about some of the most popular and effective essential oils and essential oil blends for use in body scrubs.

best essential oils for scrubs (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use these body scrubs on my face?

It’s better to avoid using DIY body scrubs on the face, as the concentration of ingredients in the formulation is suitable for the skin on the body. Our facial skin is thinner than body skin and therefore, using products meant for the body on the face might irritate the facial skin. However, you can choose scrubs with gentle ingredients, like yogurt and oatmeal, and lower concentrations of oils, for facial use. This will help avoid irritation or damage. Always patch-test first.

Can we use white sugar instead of brown sugar in the scrub?

Yes. You can use white sugar as a substitute in your body scrub as it is an excellent exfoliator that helps remove extra dead skin (10).

How long do homemade body scrubs last?

Homemade body scrubs may last around 2-6 months. Ensure that you use up the DIY body scrub as quickly as possible and store it in a tightly sealed container to avoid it going bad.

How do you make whipped body scrub?

You can mix ½ cup of coconut oil with ½ cup of shea butter, and ⅕ drop of lemon essential oil in a mixer at high speed. Add ½ cup of sea salt and mix again. Store the mixture in a tightly sealed container.

How do you make foaming whipped body scrub?

Mix a cup of foaming bath butter in a bowl with a hand mixer for 5 minutes. Add a cup of raw sugar, 30 drops of lavender essential oil, and a pinch of purple mica (optional) to the mixture and combine it till the mixture is smooth. Store the body scrub in a tightly sealed container.

Can the body scrub clog my drain?

Yes. The non-dissolvable ingredients used in body scrubs, like sugar, can clog your drain.

Do you use the scrub on wet or dry skin?

Make sure to use the scrub for skin exfoliation on wet skin, after you have showered.

Key Takeaways

  • Use yogurt, turmeric, oatmeal, lemon, and coconut oil as ingredients for homemade body scrubs for skin that is smooth and glowing.
  • The excellent combination of coffee, which is rich in antioxidants, and sugar in a homemade scrub works as a hugely effective skin exfoliator.
  • Epsom salt helps in getting smooth skin because of its excellent exfoliating properties, and using it to make homemade scrubs can also help reduce soreness.
  • Remember to always use natural ingredients and avoid over-exfoliation, which can damage the skin.

Learn how to make your own body exfoliating scrubs with this easy tutorial! Watch the video below to get glowing skin with affordable natural ingredients.

Personal Experience: Source

References

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

  1. Caffeine’s mechanisms of action and its cosmetic use
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23075568/
  2. Preparation and evaluation of polyherbal facial scrub
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332256660_Preparation_and_evaluation_of_polyherbal_facial_scrub
  3. Effect of Olive Oil on the Skin
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275044663_Effect_of_Olive_Oil_on_the_Skin
  4. Medicinal benefit of coconut oil
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/268805677_Medicinal_benefit_of_coconut_oil
  5. Interaction of mineral salts with the skin: A literature survey
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/227393833_Interaction_of_mineral_salts_with_the_skin_A_literature_survey
  6. Anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa) contribute to the effectiveness of oats in treatment of itch associated with dry irritated skin
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25607907/
  7. Clinical efficacy of facial masks containing yoghurt and Opuntia humifusa Raf. (F-YOP)
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22152494/
  8. Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) on Skin Health: A Systematic Review of the Clinical Evidence
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27213821/
  9. Vitamin C in dermatology
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3673383/
  10. Skin Care with Herbal Exfoliants
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/224892687_Skin_Care_with_Herbal_Exfoliants

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Dr. Schwarzburg is a leading authority in the field of minimally invasive cosmetic and laser medicine in New York City. He is an Ivy League school graduate with 7 years of experience in cosmetic dermatology and regenerative medicine.

Read full bio of Dr. Schwarzburg
Arshiya Syeda
Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief
Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

Read full bio of Arshiya Syeda
Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

Read full bio of Ramona Sinha
Monomita Chakraborty
Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends.

Read full bio of Monomita Chakraborty