Try a natural facial scrub! You’ll never want to go back to that stuff from the store. And when you make it yourself, you won’t just be saving money, you’ll be taking better care of your skin. Organic plant-based ingredients nourish and protect your skin naturally and give you the added benefit of knowing exactly what’s in them–and you can probably find it all right now in your kitchen.
The brown sugar in this recipe is the exfoliant. The olive oil is for the moisturizer. Honey is a natural antibacterial (as well as another moisturizer), and vanilla is for the added scent.
These measurements are by volume.
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How to make Brown Sugar Scrub:
2 cups brown sugar (lightly packed)
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla
Place the brown sugar in a medium-size bowl.
Add the olive oil.
You can use any other plant-based oils in place of the olive oil, such as coconut oil, sunflower oil, or almond oil, to name a few.
Add the honey.
Honey not only moisturizes your skin, it helps hold moisture in.
Add the vanilla.
Stir to combine.
Scoop mixture into a container. This recipe will fit a pint-size jar perfectly. (You could also divide it into two half-pints. Keep one for yourself and give the other away!)
A homemade natural scrub makes a great gift. Add a bit of ribbon or raffia to make it pretty.
Store-bought beauty products contain synthetic ingredients to hold mixtures together. Your all-natural scrub will separate. Stir before each use. Moisten your face with warm water, scoop out a bit of the scrub, and apply to your skin. Work it in gently–you can even leave it on for 10 or 15 minutes to increase the nourishing benefits before washing off with warm water. Use a couple times a week and you won’t believe how soft your skin will be! I love this stuff. It makes me feel as if I’ve had an expensive spa treatment–and it’s practically free.
Note: This keeps well (easily as long as it takes to use this amount) and doesn’t need to be refrigerated.
P.S. You can find more brown sugar scrub recipes here on the Chickens in the Road forum. (Thank you to Cindy, who sparked my interest in homemade scrubs with her great ideas!)
Motherbugs says:
:happyflower: How neat! I’m going to try this right away 🙂 I’m off to scrub my face!
On February 9, 2010 at 1:53 am
Treasia says:
I think I’ll try this today when I take my shower. I have everything on hand for it.
On February 9, 2010 at 3:53 am
Becky says:
T looks good enough to eat on yogurt or oatmeal or something!!
On February 9, 2010 at 4:04 am
ticka1 says:
Thank you Suzanne for this recipe! I love brown sugar scrub and now I can make my own.
Do you have electricity yet?
On February 9, 2010 at 5:36 am
Kathie says:
Don’t use it in the shower. The floor gets really slippery. I made that mistake once, and had to hold on to the soap dish to get out. Love it though!!!
On February 9, 2010 at 5:38 am
Laura in Greenwood, IN says:
Looks so yummy I would eat 1/2 of it as I am applying it to my face! I would then lick my face clean!
On February 9, 2010 at 6:24 am
NorthCountryGirl says:
Thank you for all your great recipes!
On February 9, 2010 at 6:54 am
Dianna McBride says:
Thanks for the recipe, Suzanne! Any store bought stuff…even when it claims to be organic or “natural”…is so expensive that I just pass it by. This I can make myself for next to nothing.
On February 9, 2010 at 7:14 am
Runningtrails says:
That stuff looks great! I make my own too but never thought of using honey. Great idea! You could add ground oatmeal too. You can also add coffee for body scrub as it is suppose to shrink varacose veins when applied topically but don’t put too much at one time down the drain if you are on a country septic system.
On February 9, 2010 at 7:37 am
Susan at Charm of the Carolines says:
Oddly, I want to eat it, too. It may be good for your skin, but is also sounds delicious!!!
Susan
On February 9, 2010 at 8:08 am
CindyP says:
It works great on the elbows and knees, too! I just love the stuff…the peppermint candy one was also delicious (well, on the skin!) LOL!
Hope you’re back in the world of electricity?!?!?!
On February 9, 2010 at 8:11 am
aint for city gals says:
I have already decided this is going to be my Christmas present for all my girlfriends this year! Alos great for feet (if summer ever gets here)..One word of warning…if you use it in the shower or bathtub for body scrub..make sure you wipe the shower floor for the next time..otherwise your feet will slip out from under you..been there ..done that..
On February 9, 2010 at 8:29 am
Mary says:
This is a new idea for me, and I’m anxious to give it a try. Thanks so much.
On February 9, 2010 at 8:49 am
Joycee says:
Can’t wait to make this! I’ve been buying Bath Junkie’s scrub, $28 for a jar and now I have a recipe to make my own! Thanks Suzanne, you ROCK! :heart:
On February 9, 2010 at 9:19 am
Angela Pierce says:
:sun: Suzanne, Its time for you to get some Bees……Natural, unpasturized honey. YUM! 😉
On February 9, 2010 at 9:26 am
Kerin says:
Thanks for sharing the recipe!
I am going to give this a try.
Also, thanks for sharing the recipe for tortillas.
I’m making tortillas tonight for sure.
Have the best day !
On February 9, 2010 at 9:32 am
claudia w says:
Now all of your readers are going to have bright clean faces! Thanks for the recipe!
On February 9, 2010 at 10:02 am
Euni Moore says:
I saw this hint in a magazine several years ago and have been using it ever since. I haven’t put honey before but that will change shortly! Hope you have power back up.
Euni
On February 9, 2010 at 10:16 am
rileysmom says:
Thank you for the recipe Suzanne. I had made a version of scrub in the past, but your recipe has the better aroma with vanilla and honey! Yes, be careful in the shower! My husband always worried about the effects of the oil on the septic…I don’t know if that would be enough to cause problems.
On February 9, 2010 at 10:21 am
auntbear says:
…really.Iwant to put in in my face.Not on my face. 😕
On February 9, 2010 at 10:54 am
Janessa says:
I found another recipe for a scrub shortly after Christmas and thought “Darn that would have made great homemade Christmas gifts”…it’s on my list for next year.
On February 9, 2010 at 10:54 am
Chic says:
This sounds like something I need to try….thanks for the recipe Suzanne and Cindy!!! Yes I agree with you..jars of these would make wonderful presents. I know what I’ll be giving away this year! :hungry2:
On February 9, 2010 at 11:16 am
Remudamom says:
So where is a pic of you modeling the scrub??
On February 9, 2010 at 11:22 am
lavenderblue says:
Okay, I would never spend a bunch of money for a store bought scrub, and I know it’s oodles cheaper to make at home, but something in my nature rebels against putting ingredients that could go to making a batch of chocolate chip cookies on my face. :hungry:
Although I used to make an oatmeal,honey and egg white concoction. What a mess that was to clean out of the sink!
On February 9, 2010 at 11:35 am
Kim W says:
Awesome recipe! Thanks! I make almost all of my personal care…toothpaste, deodorant, face wash, etc. This will be a great addition. I’ll link to it from my blog.
Blessings from snowy Ohio…Kim<
On February 9, 2010 at 11:38 am
jennybek says:
Oooh. I have a very similar one that I made as a hand scrub. I never thought of using it for my face. Thanks for the tip!
On February 9, 2010 at 11:47 am
Shirley says:
I was just thinking–when are you going to get some bee hives? I know you are working on a ‘self-sustaining’ farm, so you have to have some bee hives. You’d get honey and the wax for candles.
On February 9, 2010 at 11:58 am
Kat says:
I use coconut oil for soap making. At room temperature the “oil” is solid, similar to shortening. I wonder if the separation issue would be resolved by using coconut oil? That said, my favorite soap is 100% olive oil. So nice on the skin!
On February 9, 2010 at 12:23 pm
catslady says:
Sounds like it would make a wonderful rub for let’s say a ham – yummy lol.
On February 9, 2010 at 12:40 pm
LisaAJB says:
Thanks to my own snow day, I’m off to make some of this right now. I also have some garlicky grandmother bread rising. It appears that you are my inspiration today! Thanks Suzanne! :heart:
On February 9, 2010 at 1:16 pm
B. Ruth says:
Ohhhh, so this is what is meant by the phrase
“Feeding your face!”
I found in the closet a good old glass top bail-closure 1800’s green Atlas Jar to put my scrub in….looks so countryish…LOL..
Nope, won’t be gifting this jar, but will hunt some jars this Spring at flea markets for future gift jars of ‘scrub’……
….hurry Spring!
Are you WV folks fixin’ to get another snow?
On February 9, 2010 at 1:46 pm
Moi says:
I make a very similar scrub. Roughly the same as yours but I snip open a few vitamin E gelcaps to add in the recipe. LOVE it!
On February 9, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Cheryl says:
Wonderful idea! I have just been using honey by itself. Once it gets a little “sugary” it makes a great scrub. I’ll have to try this though and you are right, I have everything on hand!!! Adding the vitamin E sounds like a good idea, too.
Having a giveaway on my site that ends tomorrow. All are welcome to come by and join in.
http://www.theprairiemaid.blogspot.com
On February 9, 2010 at 3:30 pm
Debnfla3 says:
I bet this will be good for my psoriasis spots!
Deb
On February 9, 2010 at 3:53 pm
The Cotton Wife says:
Oh, I don’t think I’m supposed to say YUM but … YUMMY!!!
I will be trying this!
On February 9, 2010 at 5:13 pm
KentuckyFarmGirl says:
I just made up a batch of this and put it in 2 of those little fat jelly jars! I’m going to give my mom one and I’ll be trying the scrub tonight! I am also planning to give these as gifts! Thanks again Suzanne!
On February 9, 2010 at 6:14 pm
RosieJo says:
Terrific! Thanks, I will make this for our next ‘Girls Only’ weekend.
On February 9, 2010 at 10:17 pm
Amber says:
That looks fabulous! So much better than rubbing store bought chemicals all over your face.
On February 9, 2010 at 10:36 pm
RuthieG/TXLady says:
It sound like something I would rather eat than scrub with…MzPiggy that I am…
On February 10, 2010 at 12:36 am
maude says:
yes, be careful in the shower! i put a thick towel on the shower floor, and then turn on the water.
another facial scrub: pulverize almonds in a blender, and add olive oil or apricot seed oil.
body scrub: olive oil, extra-fine granulated white sugar, lemon juice and crushed rosemary (or rosemary sprig and lemon rind for fragrance only).
mask: baby oatmeal flakes or pulverized oatmeal, buttermilk, and smidge of honey. store in the fridge. great for acne prone skin.
after squeezing lemon, orange, or grapefruit halves for juice, cup you elbows in them for 10 minutes.
On February 10, 2010 at 3:07 pm
LaTonya says:
I am making this TONIGHT!Thanks. One of my daughters and I would love to live in the country, and have a goat or two. My husband said, “That will have to be with your next husband.”
On February 10, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Melissa says:
My roommate in college (who was Sicilian) used to douse herself (hair to toes) in olive oil once a week and then put on sweatpants and a sweatshirt and wrap her hair in a towel. She’d go to bed that way and then shower the next morning (which would make our shower like a slip-n-slide!) Weird…but she had THE most beautiful and soft skin of anyone I’ve ever known. I think I’ll start with this scrub….
On February 10, 2010 at 4:55 pm
Jenny says:
Made this today with my daughter. Fun kitchen project and my skin feels so smooth now. Thanks!
~Jenny~
On February 10, 2010 at 6:03 pm
princessvanessa says:
Brown sugar scrub will not be harsh to the skin as it dissolves as you scrub your face–no sharp edges to scratch delicate skin. Suzanne’s scrub recipe is terrific!
However, I would not recommend crushed up nut shells or fruit pits as they do not dissolve and the edges can be sharp (without you even realizing it) and scratch and irritate your skin. I am surprised at the number of commercial scrubs and exfoliates that tout that they contain finely crushed apricot or almond shells–the better to tear up your skin.
On February 10, 2010 at 7:46 pm
tammy says:
Another great old craft is homemade soaps. Not the chunks of glycerin that you melt, but the old fashioned (new version of) lye soaps. My kids and I did this one year, and we are still using the soaps. When I first started reading up on these, I thought they had to be harsh on your skin, since they are made with a very dangerous product called lye. But when made correctly, they are wonderful. More mild and better for your skin that any store bought. Lots of varieties to try.Great blog Suzanne.
On February 15, 2010 at 9:13 am
Glory says:
Finally made it today, and it is wonderful. Makes me feel so refreshed. Told some friends about it too.
On February 16, 2010 at 1:47 pm
lisa brawner says:
I will have to try this. I make the white sugar scrub adn use. This would really smell good. :clover:
On February 17, 2010 at 7:50 am
Cousin Sheryl says:
I had a thought for those with really sensitive skin – these folks may not want to add vanilla to their scrub since the vanilla is in an alcohol base. Alcohol is very drying to the skin. Why couldn’t you make “Vanilla Bean Brown Sugar” by placing a vanilla bean in a closed container of brown sugar for a few days. Then you could make your vanilla-scented Brown Sugar scrub without adding any alcohol.
Just a suggestion! Here’s to self-improvement and great skin! :happyfeet:
On February 18, 2010 at 12:58 am
WatkinsGal says:
Just wanted to say thank you for posting this recipe! It seems as I age, my skin is becoming sensitive. I have three different types of moisturizer in the cabinet that all irritate my eyes. My eyes will just water all day if I put it on my face. I made this scrub today using grapeseed oil…used it and my face feels WONDERFUL! Not a tear shed!
On March 2, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Glenda09 says:
:wave: Hi there! My cousin posted this a few weeks ago. I wanted to try it as soon as my scrub ran out which it did. So, today I had to make this! I already tried it and I like it a lot. My face is real soft only thing is my hands are oily. Thanks Im gonig to have to make this for Christmas presents.. or Birthday!
On March 12, 2010 at 12:39 am
Callie says:
I love this. Great gift and favor idea for my sister-in-law’s upcoming “spa” bridal shower. Thanx for sharing!
On April 21, 2010 at 11:38 am
Deborah says:
I’ve been using this brown sugar scrub for three weeks now – every day. Amazing exfoliation and moisturizing. I’m hooked! Many thanks for the recipe and advice.
On April 26, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Kathleen says:
I can’t wait to try this! I’m hoping to make it for baby shower favors… this with a pink bow is perfect! Yay! It will just add to that glow!
On June 10, 2010 at 1:27 pm
mamajhk says:
I have been going back reading posts from before I came aboard. I make a verison of this but use liquid soap and brown sugar. Even got my husband to try it. I will definitely have to give this one a try.
On June 26, 2011 at 8:10 pm
tkg in nc says:
As B.Ruth put it, it certainly gives new meaning to “feed your face”! I just made this and it only took 15 minutes tops. If you go to make this and your brown sugar is rock solid, put it in a bowl in the microwave next to a cup of water and heat for 90 seconds or so. It might still be in chunks, but they break them apart easily with your fingers. Can’t wait to try tomorrow. Thank you so much, Suzanne. I just found this blog and I’m loving it.
On July 8, 2012 at 9:24 pm
Leck Kill Farm says:
My son loves all things honey (the bees, the thought of the hives, eating honey, talking about honey) so I thought this would be a good craft for us to do together.
He loved it and couldn’t wait to get into the tub later in the evening.
Only problem was the oil. I cannot believe such a small amount of oil in the little bit I gave him to “scrub” on his arms and legs made the tub so slick!
I used it all over my arms and legs this morning knowing that I would need to clean the tub anyway and I loved the way it felt and how moisturizing it is.
Anyone have any suggestions for a less slippery/more water-soluble oil? Is there such a thing?
On September 12, 2012 at 9:05 am
homespa13 says:
I love how gentle brown sugar is on the skin. With sensitive skin myself I find that I need that. And the ingredients in most store bought products is really scarey. Thought I’d share this link on how to create your own sugar scrubs if anyone wants to learn how to make extra recipes https://howtomakesugarscrub.com/sugarscrubecourse/
On October 24, 2013 at 6:36 am
BFLOSABRES28 says:
I made this scrub last week an I must say it’s absolutely FANTASTIC!!! I can’t believe how soft my skin is. I use it on my entire body an it’s just amazing. The results were instant! I made a batch for my daughter as well and now she’s hooked too lol Thanks so much for this recipe!
On October 16, 2014 at 11:38 pm
mskat says:
Wow I just got here and I love this site THANKS
On December 17, 2014 at 2:34 pm