5 Easy DIY Body Scrub Recipes Using Pantry Ingredients

Dry, flaky skin doesn’t stand a chance when you’ve got a good body scrub on your side. But before you drop a small fortune on those fancy spa jars, hear me out—DIY body scrub recipes are easier (and cheaper) than you think. These five super simple scrubs are made with pantry staples, take just minutes to mix up, and leave your skin feeling like a dream. They’re gentle, effective, and seriously affordable.

Body scrubs are beloved for good reason: they’re one of the most effective ways to exfoliate. And no matter your skin type—dry, oily, sensitive, or somewhere in between—everyone can benefit from a little scrub love. Regular exfoliation buffs away dead skin cells, buildup, and impurities, helping your skin soak in moisture better and look more radiant overall. Think of it as pressing the reset button for your skin—only this time, you’re doing it without spending a dime more than you have to.

Why Exfoliating Your Skin Matters

Your skin is pretty amazing—it’s constantly renewing itself. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, your body naturally sheds dead skin cells about every 30 days to make way for new ones. But here’s the catch: sometimes those old cells don’t get the memo. When they hang around too long, they can clog pores and leave your skin looking dry, dull, and flaky.

That’s where exfoliation comes in. A good body scrub helps sweep away all that leftover buildup, revealing fresh, healthy skin underneath. And while there’s no shortage of fancy, high-priced scrubs out there (some of them with price tags that made me do a double-take), you really don’t need to spend a lot to get glowing results. With just a few basic pantry ingredients, you can make your own body scrub for pennies—no spa appointment necessary.

What Is Exfoliation?

Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. This can be done with a scrub (mechanical exfoliation), a chemical solution (like alpha or beta hydroxy acids), or even just a soft washcloth.

The goal? To reveal fresher, smoother skin underneath. But exfoliation isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your skin type matters, and overdoing it can lead to redness, irritation, or breakouts. Gentle is key—and always follow with a good moisturizer.

If you’re unsure what’s best for your skin, check in with a dermatologist.

How to Use a Body Scrub for Best Results

To get the most out of your scrub, timing and technique make all the difference. Start by cleansing your skin as usual. Then—this is key—turn off the shower water before applying the scrub. This helps the scrub stay put and do its thing.

Scoop out a small handful of your body scrub and gently massage it into your skin using circular motions. Focus on the driest areas (think elbows, knees, heels), but go easy—especially if you’re using a salt-based scrub.

Once you’ve exfoliated from head to toe, rinse off with warm water. You can soap up again if you really want to, but for best results, just towel dry. The natural oils in the scrub will leave your skin feeling soft, smooth, and hydrated.

MORE: DIY Spa Day at Home: 6 Easy Treatments to Pamper Yourself

How Often Should You Use a Body Scrub?

Once or twice a week is usually just right for most people. Think of exfoliating like giving your skin a little reset—but too much of a good thing can backfire. Overdoing it can leave your skin feeling dry, tight, and irritated.

Start with once a week and see how your skin responds. You’ll know you’ve hit the sweet spot when your skin feels smooth and looks healthy, not red or tender. It’s all about finding the rhythm that works for your skin.

What You Need to Make DIY Body Scrubs

You don’t need a long shopping list or a chemistry degree to mix up your own body scrub. Here’s what you’ll need:

Oil: This is your moisturizing base. Olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil, baby oil, jojoba, or grapeseed oil all work great. Choose what you have on hand or what your skin loves most.
Grains: These do the exfoliating. Sea salt, Epsom salt, sugar (white or brown), and even coffee grounds are all effective and offer slightly different textures depending on how gentle or gritty you want the scrub to be.
Optional fragrance: A few drops of essential oil (like lavender, peppermint, or citrus) can add a subtle, spa-like scent. Just be sure to choose skin-safe oils, and go easy—essential oils are potent!
Storage container: Choose something with a secure lid to keep moisture out. Since you’ll be using this in the shower, skip the glass—plastic, silicone, or a sturdy metal tin is a safer bet.

5 Easy DIY Body Scrub Recipes

These scrubs are simple, customizable, and smell amazing. Each one takes just a few minutes to mix up and uses ingredients you probably already have on hand. Just combine everything in a bowl, adjust the consistency to your liking, and store it in a sealed container (non-glass is safest for the shower).

Classic Sugar Scrub

Gentle and great for sensitive skin

Sugar is a natural humectant, meaning it draws moisture into the skin—perfect if you’re prone to dryness or irritation. Bonus: sugar melts easily in warm water, which makes cleanup a breeze.

½ cup white or brown sugar
½ cup oil (coconut, olive, almond, etc.)
A few drops of essential oil (optional)

Combine sugar and oil in a small bowl and mix well. Adjust with more sugar or oil to get your preferred texture. Stir in essential oil if using. Spoon into a non-glass container with a tight-fitting lid and label it clearly.

Tip: If your skin is dry or delicate, stick with brown sugar—it’s softer and a little less abrasive.

Salt Scrub

Invigorating and ideal for rough areas like elbows and feet

Salt is a bit more intense than sugar, so this one’s great for rougher areas like elbows, knees, and feet. It’s also rich in minerals and naturally detoxifying.

½ cup Epsom salt or sea salt
½ cup oil
A few drops of essential oil (optional)

Mix salt and oil together in a bowl until fully combined. Add essential oil if desired. Adjust texture if needed. Store in a sealed, labeled container.

Note: Avoid salt scrubs on freshly shaved or irritated skin—they can sting.

Green Tea Sugar Scrub

Antioxidant-rich and super refreshing

Green tea is packed with antioxidants that help soothe and refresh the skin—perfect if your skin’s feeling dull or stressed out.

2 green tea bags
½ cup hot water
1 cup sugar
¼ cup melted coconut oil

Steep tea bags in hot water and allow to cool completely. Meanwhile, mix sugar and melted coconut oil in a bowl. Slowly add cooled tea, a little at a time, to avoid dissolving the sugar. Stir until the consistency is just right, then transfer to a labeled container.

Honey Sugar Scrub

Moisturizing and gentle, with natural antibacterial benefits

Honey is a natural humectant (aka it draws moisture into the skin), so this scrub is ultra-hydrating and soothing—great for dry, winter skin.

½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup melted coconut oil
2 tablespoons honey

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir until well blended. Adjust for texture, then spoon into a container, seal, and label.

Coffee Scrub

Stimulating and great for circulation

This energizing scrub not only smells like your favorite morning brew—it’s also amazing for circulation and can help reduce the appearance of cellulite (temporarily, but hey, we’ll take it).

½ cup coffee grounds (used or fresh)
2 tablespoons hot water
1 tablespoon melted coconut oil

Mix coffee grounds and water in a bowl, then stir in the oil. Add more oil or grounds to reach your preferred consistency. Store in a non-glass, waterproof container.

Tips for Mixing & Storing Homemade Body Scrubs

Getting the texture just right is part of the fun. If your scrub feels too dry or crumbly, slowly drizzle in a bit more oil until it comes together. If it turns out too runny, just add a spoonful or two of sugar, salt, or coffee to thicken it up. No need to overthink it—play around until it feels good in your hands.

Once your scrub is mixed to perfection, store it in a sealed container and keep it in a cool, dry place. Most homemade scrubs will stay fresh for a few weeks. To keep things clean and bacteria-free, always use dry, clean hands or a small scoop to portion it out—especially if you’re using it in a steamy shower.

And a quick note of caution: if you’re trying a new ingredient (especially essential oils), do a patch test on a small area of skin first to make sure there’s no irritation.

Resources

Here are a few of my go-to ingredients and tools for making DIY body scrubs at home. If you’re just getting started or looking to refresh your stash, these might come in handy:

suituts 24 Pack 10 oz (300 ml) Plastic Jars with...

ONLYKXY 5inch Random Color Plastic Beauty Spoon...

BetterBody Foods Organic Refined Coconut Oil...

Lagunamoon Essential Oils Mothers Day Gifts Set...

Question: What’s your favorite kitchen ingredient to sneak into a DIY beauty recipe? Have you used a DIY body scrub before? Share your experiences in the comments below.

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Serena says:

April 15, 2025 at 9:19 am

When I use scrubs, the oil makes my shower floor slippery. Any suggestions to neutralize the oil on the shower floor?

PWhite says:

January 16, 2022 at 11:57 am

What about the coffee grounds? I was always warned about them clogging up the drain.

Mary Hunt says:
January 16, 2022 at 6:17 pm

Not a problem in this application. The amount of scrub you’ll be using is not the same as dumping the spent grounds from a coffee making down the garbage disposal or other drain all at one time.

Susan says:

January 14, 2022 at 3:24 am

Thank you Mary for these great ideas! What type of oil do you recommend?

Mary Hunt says:
January 14, 2022 at 6:13 am

Olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil, baby oil, jojoba oil, or grapeseed oil.

Linda Radosevich says:

January 13, 2022 at 12:10 pm

I’ve been using the sugar-olive oil-fragranced-oil for years for my face and love the results. I strongly recommend using a non-breakable container. Who wants glass in the bottom of their shower?
Thanks for all of your great ideas!

Chris G. says:

January 13, 2022 at 10:21 am

How about a scrub without oil? At my age, (70) I’m not too sure I want mix an oily scrub with me in the shower.

Mary Hunt says:
January 13, 2022 at 10:44 am

The amount of oil is relatively small, Chris. And no more slippery than soap.

Ckay says:

January 13, 2022 at 9:52 am

The recipes for Body scurbs looks amazing. I have a request for you to post ingredients for DIY shower wash or gel, have any for those products??
Thanks, Ckay