To say I’m obsessed with these homemade coconut oil sugar scrubs is an understatement. My skin has never felt so soft before…or smelled so delicious!
Reasons you should lather up with Trader Joe’s organic virgin coconut oil ASAP:
- Your skin will look, feel, and smell better than ever before.
- One simple coconut oil sugar scrub can be your face wash, exfoliator, eye make-up remover, and moisturizer all-in-one!
- You’ll save money over store-bought products.
- When you make your own skincare products, you will know exactly what’s in them.
- You can help save the environment by storing your coconut oil products in containers that can be used over and over again.
You’re also gonna go bananas over this super-simple “recipe” for homemade coconut oil sugar scrubs.
Homemade Coconut Oil Sugar Scrubs
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (You can use up to 1/2 cup if you want your scrub to have a more coarse, sand-like texture.)
- 1/2 cup coconut oil (I use Trader Joe’s organic virgin coconut oil.)
- Optional>> 1 tablespoon citrus fruit zest (The zest from one piece of fruit.) (I’ve tried grapefruit, lemon, and orange.) OR
- Optional>> About 1/2 teaspoon of citrus essential oil (about 50 drops) (I’ve tried certified organic grapefruit, lemon, and orange essential oils.)
Directions
- Combine all ingredients. (Unlike my homemade coconut oil lotions, I do not recommend heating the coconut oil prior to mixing, because hot oil will dissolve the sugar.)
To Use
- On your face – Omit the citrus and use the basic scrub at the sink or in the shower. Massage in circular motions for 30 seconds. Rinse and pat dry. The oil will absorb immediately.
- On your hands – Massage into your hands and fingernails for 30 seconds. Rinse and pat dry.
- On your legs and feet – Massage into your legs and feet while in the bath or sitting on the side of the bathtub. Rinse and pat dry. (Never use on your feet in the shower because the coconut oil is slippery and you risk falling.)
Pros/Cons of Adding Citrus
- Pro: Adding any kind of citrus will make your scrub smell great.
- Pro: Citrus can boost your mood and make you feel energized and refreshed.
- Con: Citrus can burn your eyes, so it can’t be used on your face. (Perfect for your hands, legs, and feet though!)
- Con: Citrus can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the to sun, so you’ll want to wear sunscreen after using citrus scrubs. (Coconut oil acts as a natural sunscreen, but I’m not sure if it’s strong enough to cancel out the effects of the citrus.)
Citrus Fruit Zest vs Citrus Essential Oils
- If you’re new to the world of essential oils, citrus essential oils are all-natural oils extracted right from the fruit peels themselves.
- Citrus essential oils will give your sugar scrub a longer shelf life than a sugar scrub made with zest.
- Citrus fruit zest will add a pretty color to your scrub. (Essential oils are colorless.) Plus you can eat the fruit after zesting. YUM.
Storing Your Coconut Oil Sugar Scrubs
- Glass Jars – I use these 4.25oz airtight glass jars from Amazon.
- Plastic Tubs – I use these 9.5oz food storage tubs from Amazon.
- Plastic Travel Bottles – I use these GoToob travel bottles from Amazon.
How cool are these GoToobs?!
They’re BPA-free, easy to fill and clean (dishwasher-safe), and no-drip. In person, they feel more like rubber than plastic. My 3-pack is filled with homemade coconut oil sugar scrubs for my shower, bathroom sink, and kitchen sink. Love!
Have I convinced you to try making coconut oil sugar scrubs? What’s your favorite use for coconut oil?
PS If you want to give these coconut oil sugar scrubs as gifts, here’s a free printable gift tag.
Hi Kelly! You wouldn’t happen to have the labels for the sugar scrub that match the coconut lotion and chapstick ones, would you? I made peppermint chapstick, lavender coconut oil lotion, and lavender sugar scrub today and was hoping to have matching labels for them. Thanks a bunch for the recipes! They were super easy and my house (and my hands!) smells great! 🙂
I can edit the lavender lotion one. I’ll email it to you!
Hi I’m trying out the coconut oil and sugar scrub. Just wanted to know how often should I use it on my face or can I use it everyday? And how long does it last I just put it in a plastic container that I had at home.
I use it twice a day. If you used quality ingredients and store it in a cool, dry place, it should last up to a year.
Hi, how long does the coconut oil sugar scrub with citrus zest last? What about the one with the essential oils?
Hi here you say use the coconut scrub twice a day on face. later in the conversation you say twice a week for face and body which is it?
thanks!
Can I use it as a body scrub?and how often
Yes you can use it as a body scrub but don’t use it more than twice a week. That counts for both face and body
Do you have to Facebook page?
Yes
Can I get a copy of that too? Thank you :)[email protected]
Hi Kelly! I am wanting to try out your coconut oil scrub……and so I just bought coconut oil….but it is liquid. Is that ok? Should I be putting it in the fridge? Or is it liquid because it is summer here? lol Thanks, Lenora Hammond – Cape Town, South Africa
Yes, it’s liquid because of the temperature. Coconut oil is solid up to 76 degrees F and liquid when it’s warmer than that. I’m not sure how it will work as a sugar scrub when liquid. My advice would be to test a small amount to see what happens and if you like it (for example, 2 teaspoons coconut oil and 1 teaspoon sugar).
Hope this helps. I’d love to hear what you end up doing. I hope it works out because I really love this scrub!
Can you maybe try using poppy seeds instead of sugar or are they too fine? Im going to make a poppy seed sample as im in australia and its normally 30+ degrees Celsius this time of the year. Ill let you know how i go 🙂
Hello I made scrubs last night for mothers day and today are hardening what can I do
I just found your post so recipe I used stated to melt coconut craem, I’m used brown sugar , pure raw sugar , coconut cream and essential oils
Loom forward to your reply [email protected]
Coconut Oil comes in a liquid.
i too bought a virgin coconut oil liquid. came out smelling great but did not firm up ???? should it be put in the refer? it wont firm up? HELP NEEDED IN TEXAS.
Hi! I am making your coconut oil sugar scrub, can I ask for your label too please?
thank you
No problem, Tara! I added a link to download to the blog post. Hope you love the scrub as much as I do!
Hi Kelly , I just wanted to ask you since we are adding the fruit peel will it last for long or will it rote
Mahiusha, you can store it in the refrigerator to extend the shelf life.
love your recipe but mine came out too liquid-y- I added more sugar and now it’s quite coarse. I used Spectrum Organic Cococut oil- it’s in liquid form since it’s still warm here- is that the problem? do I need to use it after it gets harder? Advice? thank you!
Instead of adding more sugar I probably would have placed it somewhere cool so it would harden a bit.
Put it a squeeze bottle ! It lasts longer….
So no heat at all to the scrub??? Thanks
I’d like labels to [email protected]
Aw, thanks so much! I can’t wait to give them out :-).
Just sent! 🙂
I was wondering if I can have a copy of lavender coconut scrub also? I made them in addition to the lotion to give out as gifts! Thank you so much for these fantastic recipes!
Of course! Thanks so much for the encouragement!
I would also like to have a copy of your lavender coconut scrub recipe and any other natural scrub recipes that target acne and the scars they leave behind. Please help me to find the right type of scrub.
To make lavender coconut scrub, substitute lavender essential oil in place of the citrus essential oil in the recipe. To be honest, I’m not a skincare professional, so I don’t know which kinds of scrubs are best for acne and scars. I’m so sorry I can’t be of more help.
Quick question- how long can you keep a scrub untill it goes bad?
Probably a year.
Adding Frankincense and Lavender are great for helping with acne and scarring.
Hey Kelly, is this okay to use for my dog? She has mad fleas all over her and the poor baby has red spots and open small wounds with scabs and I’ve been meaning to shave her to help with the fleas but only wanna help her skin.
why are you letting fleas torture your dog. fleas bite millions of times in one minute and there are so many of them, and every bite stings. can you imagine how that must feel. take you dog to the vet and get Combortis for fleas. the are only 15 dollars and they last the whole month, they really work.
Wash your dog (and it’s bedding) in Eucalyptus wool mix – I use Earth Choice (Australian brand) to be kind to the environment. The eucalyptus oil seems to repel fleas – also worked with Ticks for us when we lived in Queensland. I haven’t used any commercial flea treatment on my dog for over 10 years. When she does come in contact with fleas and they get on her, they are always seen moving around and we wash her again and no more fleas 🙂
Buy Frontline, fleas will not get on your dog after using it.
Do you think I could have a copy of the labels as well? I’m doing the same thing with the sugar scrub and coconut oil lotion for Christmas presents! Thank you so much for posting these amazing ideas!
Of course! Just sent!
I am giving the coconut lotion and scrub as gifts as well, could I get a copy of the label for the scrub. Thank you!! I’m sure they will love it as much as I do.
Yep, just emailed you! I only made the gift tag for the lavender sugar scrub. If I’m able to make a more general one, I’ll add it to this blog post!
Hi i’m curious to know; Does coconut sugar scrub helps to get rid of dark spot on body? Does it lighten the skin? Even out the skin tone?
I’m not sure.
If you find any at home remedies please inform me at [email protected]
I’m a professional dancer an I have dark spots on my inner thighs. Its my biggest insecurity.I would appreciate it enormously if you found something and shared it with me… Thanks again!!!
Just added the free printable gift tag to the end of the blog post!
Hi, can I mix the zest and oil, and what measurements should I use for that?