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One of my friends, Karen Miller, created this DIY Honey Sugar Scrub recipe. Karen is a massage therapist and sees lots of dehydrated bodies all day. She whips up this simple honey & sugar scrub for her clients to help with dry skin and exfoliation because removing the oldest cells on the outer layer of the skin is good for health.
Karen noted that there are all sorts of salt and sugar scrubs on the market that cost up to $75. Various types of scrubs, including salt scrubs, are also popular for their exfoliating properties. This home spa remedy also only takes 15 minutes to make! If you want to save money, make Body Scrub with honey and lots of skin-loving oils.
DIY Sugar Body Scrub
This DIY sugar scrub for body makes skin look and feel better because of the ingredients in the mixture. Cane sugar can also be used as an alternative to granulated sugar. Honey is a humectant that pulls water into itself, making it an excellent moisturizer. It is also antiseptic thanks to its chemical makeup: it can cleanse the skin. The natural healing properties of raw honey on the body are gentle, and the antioxidants and minerals in honey skincare will make your complexion happy.
Karen shared this simple home remedy that’s easy and quick to make. You risk introducing bacteria when introducing water into a product without a preservative, so use a spoon to scoop this scrub into your hand. This scrub can be applied to wet skin for better results. The scrub stays fresh for three weeks as long as it isn’t contaminated with water or dirty hands. Store it in an airtight container, and do your best to avoid getting water or dirty hands into the mixture.
Our Coffee Honey tends to crystallize quickly, making it perfect for added exfoliation in this recipe!
Why You'll Love This Sugar Scrub with Honey
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It’s easy to make
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Much more budget-friendly than store-bought scrubs
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Uses pantry ingredients to create something magical
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Exfoliates and moisturizes
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Brown sugar can be used for a softer, less abrasive scrub
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Coconut oil can be used for its moisturizing properties
Ingredients & Substitutions: Including Coconut Oil
You probably have everything that you need for this DIY sugar body scrub in your pantry to make this easy treat for your body!
Sugar - Use granulated sugar. Its texture works as a wonderful exfoliant.
Honey - You can use your favorite varietal. Our Alfalfa or Spring honeys are both great options.
Olive Oil - Also very moisturizing for the body, olive oil will make your skin silky smooth. You can also use sweet almond oil for its excellent moisturizing properties.
Jojoba Oil - Rich in nutrients that are great for the skin. Alternatively, cocoa butter can be used for its skin benefits.
Essential Oil - For added luxury and to make your honey & sugar scrub smell good! We love lavender but you can use your favorite. Fragrance oil can also be used to add a pleasant scent to the scrub.
Vitamin E - Exfoliates and moisturizes at the same time. Shea butter is another great option for its moisturizing properties.
Non-Reactive Bowl - Use a glass or ceramic bowl as they won’t react to the ingredients.
Honey is a Nearly Perfect Food
Since ancient times, honey has been used as both food and medicine. It's very high in beneficial plant compounds and offers several health benefits. Raw honeycomb is 100% edible and known as "Old-Fashioned Chewing Gum." Honey does not go wrong. It's recognized as the only food that doesn't spoil.
It also makes for a wonderful addition to at-home skincare products like this DIY sugar body scrub!
How to Make a Honey Sugar Scrub
Before Step One:
If using solid oils like cocoa butter, they should be completely melted using a double boiler.
Step One: Combine the ingredients
Add the sugar, honey, olive oil, jojoba oil, and essential oil to your non-reactive bowl and blend thoroughly with your hands. This recipe can be adapted into an emulsified sugar scrub recipe by adding an emulsifying wax.
Step Two: Add the vitamin E capsule
Pierce the vitamin E capsule with a fork or snip it with a small pair of scissors and empty the contents into the scrub.
A sidebar chats on Vitamin E oil — read the label if you have soy sensitivities. Most vitamin E oil is soy-based.
Step Three: Treat yourself
Hop in the shower or tub and warm your skin. Apply to the body and massage thoroughly. Rinse and follow with body butter while the skin is still damp.
Storing DIY Sugar Scrub for Body
Store your DIY sugar scrub for body in a PET plastic container for safety. PET plastic can safely hold any essential oils you add to the scrub. Unlike glass, it will not break if dropped in the shower or tub. Plastic is recyclable, so please recycle containers when they're empty. Discard whatever is not used after three weeks.
Honey & Brown Sugar Scrub Variations
Don’t feel you must make this sugar scrub with honey precisely as we say. You can add anything you like with lots of wiggle room to play. Get creative and experiment. Try something different. Here are some ideas in case you need a little boost with adapting this recipe:
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Replace the sugar with fine acceptable Himalayan pink salt for a finer exfoliant.
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Sore muscles? Replace the sugar with Epsom salt to soothe sore muscles.
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Add dried lavender buds to the mixture.
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Explore honey skincare and how you can add other ingredients to the mix
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For added texture and increased scrub, add fine poppy seeds.
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Moisturizing properties? Use sweet almond oil for its moisturizing benefits.
What are the Benefits of Using a Honey Sugar Scrub?
Honey sugar scrubs offer several benefits for the body. The sugar acts as a natural exfoliant, helping to remove dead skin cells and reveal smoother, more radiant skin.
Honey has moisturizing and antibacterial properties, which can help nourish and hydrate the skin while also combating acne or blemishes. The olive and jojoba oils in the scrub provides additional hydration and leaves the skin feeling soft and supple.
Bee Inspired's hydrating Peace of Mind Honey Body Butter
How Often Should I use a Honey Sugar Scrub on My Body?
The frequency of using a honey sugar scrub depends on your skin type and sensitivity. For most people, using a body scrub 2-3 times per week is sufficient. However, if you have sensitive or delicate skin, it's best to start with once a week and see how your skin reacts.
Over-exfoliation can lead to irritation, so it's important to listen to your skin and adjust the frequency accordingly. Remember to always moisturize your skin after using this sugar scrub with honey to keep it hydrated.
Can I Use This DIY Sugar Scrub for Body on My Face?
While honey sugar scrubs are generally safe and beneficial for the body, they may be too harsh for the delicate skin on the face. The granules in the scrub can be abrasive, causing irritation or micro-tears on the facial skin.
Instead, it's recommended to use a gentler exfoliant specifically formulated for the face, like our Honey Sugar Scrub with Oats. It provide effective exfoliation and is more suitable for faces.
If you try this honey body scrub, take a photo and share it with us using #beeinspired on Instagram!
Bee Inspired's Original Honey Body Scrub
Not into DIY Projects?
If you'd instead grab something ready to go, check out Bee Inspired's Original Honey Body Scrub, it's pure crystallized honey, heaven on your skin, and all natural-made by mother nature. It's safe to use on your face, also!
All our scrubs are made with plant-based, primarily organic, and cruelty-free ingredients that you will feel good about. We've even formulated a face scrub, too! Safe for use from the top of your neck to the tips of your toes.
Great Body Scrubs from Bee Inspired
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Peace of Mind Honey Body Scrub is perfect for soothing the body and mind with a pure lavender scent from essential oils.
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Strength Honey Body Scrub awakens and restores the body with the robust aroma of clove, cinnamon, and eucalyptus oils.
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Sea+Tea Scrub is packed with antioxidants from green tea and kelp extracts. It's perfect for rejuvenating the skin.
