Skin feeling dry and dull? Then you’re going to love everything about this sugar body scrub recipe: The ease of making it, the aroma of warm vanilla in a steamy shower, and of course the smooth, polished skin.
Unlike pricey mass-produced goop, this scrub will nourish your body {and soul} with natural ingredients. It makes a great gift as well, so make a double batch and reward yourself for your thoughtfulness by taking some time in the bathroom ALONE (if you’re a mother you know what I mean!).
About The Ingredients
Sugar
Sugar contains naturally occurring glycolic acid, which dissolves old, dead skin and makes exfoliating that much easier. Though I prefer unrefined sucanat for baking, more refined types of sugar work better for exfoliation.
Sea Salt
Salt – especially unrefined salt with its 60+ trace minerals – is a powerful rejuvenator of tired, dry skin. Not only does it stimulate cell growth, assist with detoxification and improve circulation, it also helps skin absorb and retain moisture.
Olive Oil
Though there are other oils that can be used – jojoba, almond, and avocado for example – I typically use olive oil because I have it on hand. Olive oil is rich in vitamin E, which is thought to have anti-aging properties, and it’s long been used to nourish and protect skin.
Castile Soap
Though there is a certain charm to 100% oil-based scrubs, adding castile soap leaves skin feeling soft, moisturized and supple without an excessive “oily” feeling. Since I typically need to get dressed and go immediately, I prefer the lighter finish.
Sugar Cookie Body Scrub Recipe
This recipe was adapted from this one from Gina-Marie of So, Let’s Hang Out.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup organic brown sugar*
- 1/4 cup sea salt**
- 3 tablespoons olive or jojoba oil
- 1 tablespoon unscented castile soap
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract or a few drops vanilla oleoresin
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
* I know it’s crazy to find this on Mommypotamus. See the section on “Sugar” above for why I use it in this recipe. If you prefer you can use turbinado, but the scrub will be more coarse.
** If desired, you can substitute more cane sugar. However, keep in mind that because salt and sugar absorb moisture differently, you’ll need to add a few extra tablespoons to get the same texture.
Instructions
Add sugar and salt to a bowl and mix thoroughly. In a separate bowl, gently mix the castile soap, vanilla, and almond extract if you’re using it. Add the castile soap mixture and olive oil to the sugar/salt mixture and combine thoroughly.
More Body Scrub Recipes To Try
Dead Sea Salt Scrub Recipe – Unlike most scrubs that stay on the surface of your skin, it melts slightly as it gently exfoliates, infusing skin with minerals that support skin firmness and elasticity.
Citrus Sugar Body Scrub – This scrub has a bright, fresh scent and is easy to make.
Vanilla Sugar Cube Body Scrub – These 3-in-1 vanilla sugar scrub cubes are a lovely way to create a spa getaway experience in the middle of a crazy daily schedule.
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Hi Heather,
I just wanted to clarify the amount of olive oil to put in this sugar scrub. You indicate above, “2 Tablespoons cup olive oil”. I wasn’t sure if you were cutting and pasting from the castile soap below. Gina-Marie’s recipe calls for 1/2 cup so I wasn’t sure. Can you please confirm the amount of olive oil to use please? This scrub sounds great. Thanks for posting the recipe. 🙂
Oh yes, I did mean two tablespoons! I often make test batches that are in quarter increments so I don’t waste supplies – originally I thought I was going to need more oil, but with the addition of castile soap I needed far less. Thanks for catching that!
This looks like a luxurious feeling (and smelling) scrub! I love all the ingredients you used, instead of just either sugar OR salt, and an oil. I’ve made some as gifts but this year I’ll have to save some for myself too! (Maybe this is just my computer, but I was wondering if the questions marks in the paragraph about olive oil are supposed to be there)
Wow, what a weird little blip of code right in the middle of my post. Thanks for catching that, Cait. I really do like the mix of salt and sugar – they work so well together!
This one looks like a lot of fun. I make a really super simple one for my husband out of just olive oil and brown sugar. He loves it and I think we’d both love this one a lot. I think I may have also just found one of those DIY Christmas gifts that I can hand out to everyone.
In general how do you all think men would feel about receiving a scrub like this as a holiday gift? I usually just assume I have to figure out something else for the guys when I make bath & body gifts (they’re so much more difficult to gift for, in my opinion) …but Stephanie^ made me wonder if I’m just assuming wrong, and they wouldn’t mind it too.
I’d love your collective opinions, y’all 😉 Thanks!
My husband loves sugar scrubs, on his back and legs. He’s a mechanic, and he’s never turned me down, when I offer him a scrub. He’s spoiled. I’ve never seen him personally use it on himself. I guess, I get the honors. But, I don’t mind at all.
What brand of castille soap do you use? Is it similar to Dr. Bronner’s?
I have never used or heard of turbinado sugar. What is it and where can I find it? Also, can I use all cane sugar instead?
Thanks!
Thanks Heather. Last year I made gift of the year the vanilla extract using GMO free, gluten free vodka. I made ALOT..lol I have made in years past sugar scrubs or lemon sugar scrubs with great success meaning everyone loved. This one is very different. I am excited to try. I’m going to make this my Christmas gift of the year. I make about 25. I can add the homemade vodka from last year 🙂 Thank You once again. I came to your page today ….hoping you would have another idea and you did ;)! THANK YOU!
Yay! I want to be on your Christmas list now. Lemon sugar sounds delightful 🙂
I meant to say homemade vanilla from last year 🙂
This looks like a great gift! How long will this safely keep (if kept in air tight container)?
I was wondering that too…was thinking about going ahead and putting some together for this Christmas. Thanksgiving and later is such a hectic time of the year.
Ah…I should have scrolled further down…I see response below. Thanks!!!
is the soap liquid or bar soap?
Liquid 🙂
I just made a batch of this for a birthday gift. I followed the exact measurements above, and mine turned out more oily than yours appears in the picture. I’m just wondering if I should have omitted 1 Tbsp. of olive oil or something else? I think it will work as a scrub just fine. It just doesn’t look at crystal-like and pretty, but rather oily and wet when put in a glass jar. Trial and error. Trial and error. Those are my middle names;)
Hi Leah, I think you’ll find that it looks more crystalline the next day 🙂
Hi Heather, is it 2 or 3 tablespoons of oil in the Sugar Scrub recipe? In one comment I see where the writer wrote 2 tablespoons. Just checking since I’m doing a make a take class at church for 20 and want to be sure of the correct measurements. THank you!
It’s three tablespoons. I tweaked the recipe after the comment mentioning 2 tablespoons was published. 🙂
I have the same problem…and it didn’t look crystalline the next day :-(. Would just 2 TBS of oil be better?
How long will the body scrub stay good? Is it fine for several months in a glass jar?
Hi Rebekah, I’d say the shelf life is around 4-6 months. Olive oil, while handy, does oxidize faster than, say, jojoba oil. If you wanted to replace the olive with jojoba the scrub would last for 1-2 years, possibly longer.
what about with coconut oil? (looooooooove your site by the way, amazing inspiration to me)
Heather,
How big of a batch does your recipe make?
HI Heather!
Is the sea salt fine or course grain?
Fine 🙂
Hi Heather. Can you please clarify if, is it 3 Tbsp olive oil (recipe) or 2 Tbsp (from one of your comments/replies)? Thank you.
It should be 3 tablespoons 🙂
Above you said 2 tablespoons to the same question now you say 3 ?? Which is it ? Please ?
It’s three. I adjusted the recipe after making it a few more times.
hello! i multiplied this recipe by 8 for holiday gifts…. that translates to 1/2 cup vanilla (which is homemade thanks to your recipe!), but now the scrub smells more like vodka than anything! do you know if this will fade with time?
it’s also very “wet” but i am hoping based on previous comments that it will be more crystalline tomorrow 🙂
The instructions do not say when to mix in the molasses. Do I just mix it in with the other liquid ingredients?
Can I use coconut oil instead of Olive oil? If so, what will be the estimated length of shelf life?
That’s something I’d love to know too. I love using coconut oil and would prefer it to olive oil
Hi Heather,
I just made the scrub and it smells amazing. It is very wet, I think that by tomorrow it will be more cristalliez.
i was wondering if I can use coconut oil instead as I love the smell of coconut. Would that work as well and would it be 3 tablespoons as well ?
Thank you Heather, I love your recipes 🙂
I used regular brown sugar, it is kinda smooth paste not granular. Was I suppose to use raw brown sugar (that is what I know it as, here in Canada). It may be similar to turbinado sugar??
Was this ever answered for you? I have the same question! We are making this for a take home gift in the classroom and after two days it is still very wet. It smells great and works so well however! Just doesn’t look as fluffy as the picture :-).
Some brands of sugar are finer than others, which may affect absorption and texture. If your scrub feels too wet, just add sugar incrementally until you achieve the texture you prefer. 🙂
PLEASE HELP 911!!! I don’t have any Castile Soap in hand not do I have the time to run and get some. What else can I use in place of it??
Sorry for autocorrect!! I don’t have any on hand, nor am I able to go get some!!
How long will it last before it needs to be discarded?
I love this site I made your coconut oil shampoo soap,I use it for hair and for shaving,I’ve given it as gifts and everyone loves it thanks Heather your an inspiration to all of us
What’s the shelf life for this scrub?