Sugar Cookie Body Scrub Recipe

Heather Dessinger

This post contains affiliate links.
Click here to read my affiliate policy.

sugar-cookie-body-scrub-recipe

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 - So easy and it smells delicious. I'm making some to give away :)

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.

FREE Ebook: DIY Body Care Gifts Made Simple

Do you want to give gorgeous, handcrafted gifts for family and friends, without spending a bunch of time on them?

Then I’d love to give you a free copy of DIY Body Care Gifts Made Simple – my step-by-step guide to making gorgeous handcrafted gifts without stressing yourself out – as a gift for signing up for my newsletter. I’ll show you how to make vintage labels, luxurious lotion bars, lip balms, sugar scrubs, body sprays and more like a pro. Sign up for my newsletter and you’ll be redirected to the download page immediately!

Sugar Cookie Body Scrub - So easy and it smells delicious. I'm making some to give away :)

Related Posts

About HEATHER

Heather is a holistic health educator, herbalist, DIYer, Lyme and mold warrior. Since founding Mommypotamus.com in 2009, Heather has been taking complicated health research and making it easy to understand. She shares tested natural recipes and herbal remedies with millions of naturally minded mamas around the world. 

Leave a Comment

51 thoughts on “Sugar Cookie Body Scrub Recipe”

  1. 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. 🙂

    Reply
    • 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!

      Reply
      • Your recipe above actually says to add “3 tablespoons olive or jojoba oil”. I just made this, and the resulting mixture is extremely wet….not at all like the dry-looking picture of it that you posted 🙁

        Reply
    • 5 stars
      I love all your recipes for food and body care, I like you and everything you do for people! Continue! Sending Love and Blessings !

      Reply
  2. 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)

    Reply
    • 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!

      Reply
  3. 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.

    Reply
  4. 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!

    Reply
    • 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.

      Reply
  5. 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!

    Reply
  6. 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!

    Reply
  7. 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;)

    Reply
      • 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!

        Reply
    • 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.

      Reply
  8. 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 🙂

    Reply
  9. 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 🙂

    Reply
  10. 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??

    Reply
    • 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 :-).

      Reply
  11. 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??

    Reply
  12. 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

    Reply
  13. HI HEATHER, I have been searching for a good scrub, but I just didn’t want to clog up the pipes with too much oil down the drain. Can’t wait to try the Citrus one.

    Sincerely,
    Mary

    Reply
  14. 5 stars
    Hi!

    this is one of the best recipies i have found so far, but does it leave your skin oily after washing?

    thanks,

    Kézia

    Reply
  15. HI – I just made this and it turned out really wet, but I see from the comments that it might be more granular tomorrow, so I’ll wait and see. However, the recipe calls for “brown sugar” and I used organic brown sugar…but should I have used “turbinado sugar” instead? I think it might be more granular if I did that…but wanted to check to see which one you used.

    Reply