7 Simple Homemade Scrubs For Dry Skin

Switch to moisturizing DIY scrubs for cleansed, nourished, and brightened skin.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Schwarzburg, MD Dr. Schwarzburg Dr. SchwarzburgMD insta_icon
Written by Kushneet Kukreja, MS (Biotechnology) Kushneet Kukreja MS (Biotechnology) linkedin_icon Experience: 2 years
Edited by Anjali Sayee, BTech Anjali Sayee BTech linkedin_icon Experience: 7 years
Fact-checked by Monomita Chakraborty, MA (Journalism & Mass Communication) Monomita Chakraborty MA (Journalism & Mass Communication) linkedin_icon Experience: 4 years
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There is a wide variety of skin care and beauty treatments on the market for skin dryness, but nothing beats using homemade scrubs for dry skin. Many women prefer to use homemade skin care products since they save money and time and provide great results. They also don’t contain any chemicals or preservatives. Above all, you make them with your own hands with all-natural ingredients, and that is why you can trust them.

The Face scrub is an essential part of a beauty routine. It removes all the residues from your face while restoring its health, suppleness, and youthfulness. There are numerous DIY scrubs for dry skin, so we have compiled a list of the top five. These homemade scrubs not only cleanse but also take care of your skin. Scroll down to check them out!

Homemade Scrubs For Dry Skin

1. Coffee Grounds Scrub

Homemade coffee grounds scrub for dry skin
Image: Shutterstock

Coffee grounds are good to revitalize all types of skin. They work very efficiently for dry skin (1), (2). This is the simplest homemade face scrub for dry skin.

You just need to grind some coffee beans. You can also use the leftover grounds from your morning coffee. In 1 tbsp of coffee, add 1 tbsp of water. Mix well. Apply this mixture to your face and scrub it in a circular motion. Scrub for 4 – 6 minutes. Rinse it off. Pat your face dry. This will naturally exfoliate your skin by removing the dead skin cells from it, leaving it fresh and cleansed. For hydration and to avoid irritation, you can also add 1 tbsp of coconut oil for an even smoother outcome.

protip_icon Did You Know?
Caffeine also has antioxidant properties that may protect the skin from photoagingi  Accelerated skin aging that happens due to exposure to the sun’s UV light for extended periods. (2).

2. Cleansing Cream And Sugar Scrub

Homemade cleansing cream and sugar scrub for dry skin
Image: Shutterstock

Splash a little lukewarm water on your face. Using a soft cloth, gently scrub it to dry. Take 1 tbsp of cleansing cream in a bowl. Add 2 tbsp of fine ground sugar to it. Mix well to create a gritty paste. Apply this mixture on your face. Scrub it in circular motion. Try covering little lines, dry spots, and the sides of the nose. Avoid applying it on your eyes. Now wet a soft washcloth with lukewarm water. Remove the scrub from your face by using the washcloth. Finish this scrubbing session by splashing cold water on your face. This homemade sugar scrub will freshen up your face. Dry your skin using a soft towel at the end.

But if you want a more gentler version, try using oats instead of sugar.

3. Green Tea And Honey Scrub

Homemade green tea and honey scrub for dry skin
Image: Shutterstock

Green tea acts as an anti-aging agent for your skin. It can help repair scar tissue as well (3), (4).

Brew a mug of extra-strength loose green tea. Pour 1 tbsp of it into a bowl. Allow it to cool down for a few minutes. Add 1 tbsp sugar into it. Stir well. Now pour 1 tbsp of honey into it. Mix thoroughly. Honey has great antibacterial and moisturizing properties. Apply this scrub on your face. Scrub all over your face focusing on the spots that are dry. Remove it using a washcloth. Rinse your face with cold water.

4. Coconut Oil and Lemon Scrub

Homemade coconut oil and lemon scrub for dry skin
Image: Shutterstock

Coconut oil is a good age-old skin tonic while lemon exfoliates and softens your skin. Oil-based scrubs are best suited for dry skin (5), (6).

To make this DIY coconut oil sugar scrub with lemon simply take ½ cup of coconut oil. If coconut oil is not available, you may use olive oil or almond oil in its place but the use of peanut oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil should be strictly avoided. Then add 2 tbsp sugar to it and mix well. Now add 1 tbsp lemon juice to this mixture. This increases the cleansing properties of this scrub. Scrub it all over your freshly washed face. Wash it off by splashing cold water on your face.

protip_icon Trivia
Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory and skin-protecting properties that moisturize and soothe the skin and boost skin barrieri  The outermost skin layer that acts as a protective shield against harmful external agents. function (5).

Chelsey, a blogger, expressed her fascination with dessert-inspired sugar scrubs and shared a DIY coconut sugar scrub recipe. The scrub contained coconut sugar and coconut oil, providing a luxurious exfoliating experience. She writes, “I personally am a big fan of coconut oil because I always have some on hand and it does such a wonderful job hydrating my skin (i).”

5. Almond Meal Scrub

Homemade almond meal scrub for dry skin
Image: Shutterstock

Though almond meal is available in every store, you can also make it at your home easily. Just take raw almonds in a food processor and pulse until they have turned to a finely ground almond meal. Now in 1 cup of almond meal, add ½ cup of almond oil or olive oil. Add few drops of essential oils. Lemon, lavender, rose and other essential oils make this scrub more luxurious. Now scrub it all over your face. Be careful not to get it into your eyes. Wash it off using cold water and pat dry.

Body care is as important as face care. Check out the next section for some homemade body scrubs for dry skin.

Homemade Body Scrubs For Dry Skin

1. Yogurt Scrub

 Homemade yogurt body scrub for dry skin
Image: Shutterstock

Research suggests that topical application of yogurt may help prevent transepidermal water loss and maintain skin elasticity (8). It may also soothe and brighten the skin.

Take ¼ cup of yogurt and add ¼ cup of oatmeal to it. You may also add 2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil to the mix for a relaxing shower experience. Apply it all over your body in the shower, lightly scrub for 2-3 minutes, and rinse it off with cool water.

2. Rose Petal Scrub

Homemade rose petal body scrub for dry skin
Image: Shutterstock

Anecdotal evidence suggests that rose petals may help brighten and refine the skin.

Take 1 tablespoon of dried rose petals and mix them with 1 cup of sea salt or rice flour. Add 2-3 drops of rose essential oil to it. Apply it all over your body in the shower and gently scrub for 2-3 minutes. Rinse it off with plain water.

While these scrubs are guaranteed to give you super soft, plump skin, there are still some safety tips to remember. Scroll down to learn about them.

Safety Tips To Consider

Here are some simple safety tips that you can try when using homemade scrubs for your dry skin.

  • Do a patch test of the scrub on a small skin area to avoid allergic reactions.
  • Use gentle, circular motions to avoid irritating sensitive skin.
  • Steer clear of overly abrasive ingredients like large sugar crystals.
  • Always follow up with a nourishing moisturizer to lock in hydration.
  • Store scrubs in airtight containers to prevent bacterial growth.

Infographic: 5 Easy DIY Scrubs For Dry Skin

While store-bought scrubs might be super convenient and instant, nothing beats a good old homemade scrub. It is not only enriched with chemical-free ingredients but is relatively cost-effective too.

Check out the infographic below for 5 easy homemade scrubs for dry skin and get that supple soft skin in no time.

5 easy diy scrubs for dry skin (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Scrubbing is an important part of any skin care routine. However, it is much more crucial if you have dry skin. Today, many different types of face scrubs are available on the market. However, most of them contain chemicals that damage your skin over time. Scrubs made at home with natural ingredients are safe and inexpensive, and you can tailor the ingredients to suit your skin’s needs, like avocado, chickpea flour or the other ingredients mentioned above. So, follow the instructions above to make the best DIY scrubs for dry skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I use a scrub for dry skin?

For dry skin, you may use a scrub once a week to exfoliate gently without over-irritating the skin and allowing it to retain moisture.

Is it possible to store homemade scrubs?

Yes, you can store homemade scrubs in airtight containers. Keep them in a cool, dry place, and use them within a few weeks. However, scrubs containing milk or other dairy products may have a shorter shelf life.

Is salt scrub good for dry skin?

No. Although salt scrubs can be mineral-rich (depending on the type of salt used), they can also be extremely drying. As a result, it’s not recommended for dry or sensitive skin.

Which is better for dry skin – salt scrub or sugar scrub?

Since sugar is milder and salt is more abrasive, a sugar scrub is a good choice for exfoliating dry skin.

Is milk scrub good for dry skin?

Milk scrub is suitable for dry, flaking skin. It contains lactic acid, vitamins A, D, E, and K, and protein. As a result, milk is a gentle exfoliating and moisturizing agent (7).

Key Takeaways

  • Homemade scrubs can help with quick exfoliation and deep cleansing.
  • Coffee grounds can be used to tackle dry skin and extreme flakiness.
  • Cleansing creams along with sugar can help remove dead skin cells and provide intense hydration.
  • Coconut oil and lemon is an excellent DIY scrub that effectively exfoliates the skin, while also softening it.

Illustration: Simple Homemade Scrubs For Dry Skin

homemade scrubs for dry skin

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team


If you or someone you know is currently dealing with dry skin or eczema, this hydrating DIY body scrub is the ideal skincare product for some TLC. Watch this tutorial video to learn how to make this scrub.

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. Topical application of spent coffee ground extracts protects skin from ultraviolet B-induced photoaging in hairless mice
    https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2016/PP/C6PP00045B
  2. Caffeine’s Mechanisms of Action and Its Cosmetic Use
    https://karger.com/spp/article-abstract/26/1/8/305119/Caffeine-s-Mechanisms-of-Action-and-Its-Cosmetic?redirectedFrom=fulltext
  3. Green Tea and Skin
    https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/article-abstract/190508
  4. The effects of green tea on acne vulgaris: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
    https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ptr.6809
  5. In vitro anti-inflammatory and skin protective properties of Virgin coconut oil
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6335493/
  6. Effects of lifelong intake of lemon polyphenols on aging and intestinal microbiome in the senescence-accelerated mouse prone 1 (SAMP1)
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6403313/
  7. Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6017965/
  8. Clinical efficacy of facial masks containing yoghurt and Opuntia humifusa Raf. (F-YOP)
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22152494/
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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
Kushneet Kukreja
Kushneet KukrejaHealth & Wellness Writer
Kushneet holds a postgraduate degree in biotechnology from Kingston University, London, and is an ISSA Certified Specialist in Fitness & Nutrition with 2 years of experience. Her scientific background, coupled with her passion for writing, propelled her towards content writing.

Read full bio of Kushneet Kukreja
Anjali Sayee
Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor
Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

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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.

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