DIY Sugar Scrubs for Lips and Body

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Simple recipes for a Brown Sugar & Lavender Body Scrub and Strawberry & Tangerine Lip Scrub

DIY Sugar Scrubs for Lips and Bodyphotos: we heart this

For beauty lovers on a budget, one of the hardest things to give up is high-end skin care and treatments. Skipping a day at the spa and indulging in some at-home treatments can be one option for trimming that budget…until the reality of the price tag on the at-home spa products kicks in.

Luckily, one doesn’t need to shell out the big bucks on brand name sugar scrubs to treat dry, flaky, stressed skin. Beautyholics with a bit of DIY spirit can whip up lush and sugary skin saviors with just a few basics found in most kitchen cabinets. By skipping those $20, $30, even $50 per jar high-end scrubs, and using ingredients already in the kitchen, the savings really add up.

Another perk when going DIY is the ability to completely customize the sugar scrub to suit the users wants, needs and tastes. For instance, the eco-chic will want to use only all natural and organic ingredients to get their beauty fix, while the scent snob may insist on a few drops of particular essential oil to create the perfect potion.

Close up image of DIY Sugar Scrubs for Lips and Body

For the uninitiated in the world of home made beauty, here are two basic sugar scrub recipes – one for the body, the other for lips – to begin the journey to DIY Diva.

Brown Sugar and Lavender Body Scrub

Materials for making DIY Sugar Scrubs for Lips and Body

Ingredients:
1/4 cup granulated white sugar
1/4 cup washed raw sugar
1/4 cup dark or golden brown sugar
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon lavender

Three types of sugars mixed together thoroughly into a small bowl

1. Add the three sugars to a small bowl and mix together thoroughly.

Two oils added in the three types of sugars mixed together thoroughly into a small bowl

2. In a separate bowl, mix the two oils together. Add the oil mixture to the sugars. Mix thoroughly. Add more olive oil for a runnier consistency, or more sugars for extra exfoliating power.

Tip: Coconut oil can solidify in cool temperatures (but melts quickly at 76 degrees F or above – perfect for steamy showers). To liquify the coconut oil place a small glass container of water in a bowl of warm water and let it sit a few minutes.

Two oils added in the three types of sugars mixed together thoroughly into a small bowl with added lavender and oils

3. Gently mix in the lavender until it is spread through out the scrub.

Two oils added in the three types of sugars mixed together thoroughly into a small bowl with added lavender and oils

4) Store in an air tight, glass container. Sprinkle a bit of lavender on top for an extra burst of scent when opening the jar for an at-home, spa-like, body sugar scrub.

To Use: Apply in shower (but not under running water) to warm, moist skin. Carefully rub mixture into skin in circular motions. Rinse skin (and bathtub floor) thoroughly. Pat dry.

Bonus: This basic recipe can be added to at will. Dry and irritated skin will respond to some added aloe vera, chamomile or honey, while splotchy, oily skin benefits from a few drops of tea tea oil.

Next up, a simple and delicious lip scrub for that winter casualty – dry, flaky, chapped lips. While this recipe uses specialty flavored sugars, kitchen staples like white and brown sugar can easily be substituted. Shop specialty spice stores for more exotic sugars like those featured in the DIY.

Strawberry and Tangerine Sugar Lip Scrub

Strawberry and Tangerine Sugar Lip Scrub

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon strawberry sugar
1 teaspoon tangerine sugar
1 teaspoon coconut oil
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 drop vanilla extract

Strawberry and tangerine sugars mixed together and thoroughly into a small bowl

1. Add the strawberry and tangerine (or brown and white) sugars to a small bowl and mix together thoroughly.

Strawberry and tangerine sugars and oils mixed together and thoroughly into a small bowl

2. In a separate bowl, mix the two oils together. Add the oil mixture to the sugars.

3. Add a drop of vanilla extract and mix thoroughly.

Strawberry and Tangerine Sugar Lip Scrub inside a glass container

4. Store in an air tight, glass container.

To Use: Apply the sugar scrub to lips and rub to exfoliate flakes. Rinse with warm water. Dip a pinky in the jar for a dab of oil and apply to lips for a final moisturizing boost.

Are any readers DIY Divas? Share some at-home beauty secrets and treatments in the comments!

Author

  • tyna

    Tyna is a former editor of we heart this that worries about becoming a crazy cat lady, reads at least a book a week, checks in at a Flyers fan forum every morning and is forever organizing her closets and drawers. skin tone: NW 20/25 skin type: combination favorite beauty product: eye shadows and lip balms

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21 Comments

  1. When I tell you that I could not be happier to see this post, I mean it! I have wanted to make a lip scrub for sooo long and this one looks like it was just meant to be! I’ve tried to make a Brown Sugar Scrub before with Lemon and loved it but I will try this with Lavender – I already have most of what I need!! The Strawberry & Tangerine Lip Scrub will be first up! Thanks @tyna! Smiles abound!

  2. OOh I really want to make that strawberry lip scrub, I’ll have to keep an eye out at the specialty foods shops!

  3. Oh boy, these scrubs sound so nice (and so easy, too)! I’m going to attempt the Brown Sugar and Lavender scrub this weekend– just the winter pick-me-up I need! Thanks, @tyna !

  4. Wow, these look good enough to eat! I too, will be trying the Brown Sugar and Lavender scrub…sounds devine.

  5. @tyna –FABULOUS Article!! This is right up my alley. I frequently make scrubs “on the fly”–often in one or two use portions.

    I like to use grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, coconut oil, all types of sugar and salt, vitamin e oil and customize the scent with essential oils that match my mood.

    I have to say I have a TON of lavender in my garden that do not really do anything with. I am going to have to save some this year and perhaps send you and Stef some!

    Personally, I love aloe vera and coconut oil for repairing my chapped lips.

    1. Thanks Holly @hao9703 – that mean a lot coming from our own Kitchen Cosmetician! I totally need to find some Sweet Almond Oil for my next attempt at a sugar scrub. I love that sweet almond smell – I bet it would be fantastic in a lip scrub.

  6. I love lip scrubs! I get the gunkiest lips, I swear. But I have always been too lazy to make my own. You have inspired me @tyna !! I am going for it! Thanks for the “recipes”!!

    1. @kellie76 –I swear once you get the hang of it and make a couple of these scrubs–you will hardly want to buy any premade ones. I love knowing exactly what is in each “recipe” and reappropriating the money I would have spent into another beauty category.

  7. I love scrubs and I must admit I have a proclivity toward sugar scrubs rather than salt….even though I know how wonderfully detoxing salt scrubs can be. I adore coconut oil as well. I wonder…how do you make strawberry and tangerine sugar?

    1. Hi @Robin! I hear you on the Salt Scrubs – I was just thinking about trying to throw together a scrub with some Himalayan Pink Salt I have in my kitchen. What types do you use?

      And I did not make the Strawberry and Tangerine Sugars used in my lip scrub. I got mine at a LA spice store (spicestationsilverlake.com). You can find them locally at specialty cooking/spice stores and on line as well.

  8. Where do you get strawberry and tangerine sugar? Or better yet, have a recipe to make them?

    1. Sorry @Amanda, I don’t have a recipe for making the sugars. I got mine at a LA spice store (spicestationsilverlake.com). You should be able to find them locally at specialty cooking/spice stores and on line as well.

  9. Ooh, I love the idea for the lip scrub! And the body scrub- I’ve never thought of adding lavender to my scrubs. Haha, not entirely sure why, I’ve thrown just about everything else into a scrub but lavender never crossed my mind!

    1. I’ve got to admit @mandaleem Amanda, it was pure luck that I had some in with my fancy sugars ~ I was sorting through my salts and sugars and there was the oh so pretty lavender – and than Stef was all I looove lavender in a sugar scrub – and a new ‘recipe’ was born!

  10. These look amazing! I’d love to try these, but here in Africa, all I can get in terms of sugar is white or brown!

  11. Can jello be used in place of the flavored sugars?

  12. Hi! These sound lovely, do you have any suggestions for alternatives to the coconut oil? My skin is not a fan of it.

    1. Hi Michelle – I think any oil would be fine. Olive oil would be perfect.
      Thanks for your comment!

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