Pamper Yourself With These DIY Scrubs for Soft Skin

It’s no surprise that there’s a little fresh ingredients fan club going on here at Perfect Snacks.

We make Perfect Bar with a fridge-fresh blend of freshly ground nut butter, organic superfoods, and organic wildflower honey. This means you can fuel up on the go and still feel good about what you’re eating.

But what you’re putting on your body is just as important as what you’re putting in it. When it comes time for a bit of pampering, we’re all for a wholesome, homemade approach.

In the past, we’ve shared some fun ideas for homemade spa day essentials. (Think superfood face masks and all-natural beeswax and coconut oil candles!) As another weekend approaches, we’re whipping up DIY body scrubs with fresh kitchen ingredients and aromatic essential oils. Not only are they lots of fun to make, but they’ll leave your skin ultra-soft and silky.

If you could use a little “me time,” treat yourself to one of our favorite DIY scrubs for soft skin!

How to Enjoy Natural, Homemade Body Scrubs

DIY body scrubs are great for exfoliating your skin. Different types of gritty, abrasive ingredients — like sugar, salt, and coffee grounds — eliminate dead skin cells from the surface. This reveals more supple and radiant skin beneath.

But, as the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) notes, it’s important to be mindful of your skin type and any sensitivities before jumping in. Scrubs made with finer particles like baking soda can have a similar, but more gentle, effect.

The AAD recommends gently massaging your exfoliating scrub into your skin for about 30 seconds. Then, rinse it off with lukewarm water. This will be just enough time for your chosen ingredients to work their magic and leave you feeling totally refreshed.

Also keep in mind that some ingredients help lock in moisture, while others will have a slightly drying effect. Make sure to follow up with a gentle moisturizer. Your exfoliated skin will be primed for richly hydrating products to melt in more deeply for longer-lasting, luxuriously soft skin.

No matter what scrub you choose, making and applying it to dry, tired skin will help you destress, relax, and refresh your spirit, too.

How to Make DIY Body Scrubs for Soft Skin

You’ll need a handful of basic supplies to prepare your own DIY body scrub:

• Mixing bowl
• Spoon
• Measuring cups
• Base oil
• Gritty ingredients
• Essential oils
• Herbs

You’ll measure out everything into a mixing bowl, allowing the abrasive ingredients to partially dissolve into the base oil. The important thing is achieving a consistency that’s not too runny, so feel free to experiment with the recipes and proportions below.

Now for the fun part: choosing the perfect scrub with your favorite fresh, natural ingredients!

Exfoliating: Coconut Oil and Brown Sugar Scrub

A classic DIY sugar scrub like this one offers a sweet fragrance and just enough grit to leave your skin silky smooth. Choose a medium-coarse sugar, or something finer for more sensitive skin.

• 1 cup of brown sugar
• 1 cup of solidified coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Clarifying: Peppermint and Chickpea Scrub

The antibacterial properties of peppermint plus the gentle exfoliation offered by chickpea flour can help clear up blemishes.

• 1 cup of chickpea flour
• ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar
• 10 drops of tea tree oil
• 1 tablespoon of dried peppermint

Brightening: Honey, Yogurt, and Oat Scrub

Honey helps hydrate your skin while yogurt provides soothing and brightening lactic acid. Oats gently scrub away dead skin cells to renew dry and dull skin.

• 1 tablespoon of oats
• 2 tablespoons of yogurt
• 1 teaspoon of honey

Cooling: Cucumber Eucalyptus Sugar Scrub

Chill out with this cooling combination of mint, cucumber, and eucalyptus. Use a blender to mix all the ingredients aside from the sugar, then fold the granules in. You’ll start feeling refreshed right away.

• 1 cup of granulated sugar
• 4 cucumber slices
• 5 mint leaves
• 4 tablespoons of coconut oil
• 4 drops of eucalyptus oil

Renewing: Coconut Oatmeal Sugar Scrub

Coconut oil helps reduce inflammation while oats will share their natural moisturizing properties to help clear away dry, flaky skin while bringing out your natural radiance.

• 3 tablespoons of coconut oil
• ½ cup of white or brown sugar
• ¼ cup of raw oats

Aromatherapeutic: Lavender Sugar Scrub

Lavender is a highly versatile herb — it’s fragrant, edible, and ideal for soothing DIY body scrubs. Try this recipe when you really want to wind down and relax.

• 1 cup of granulated sugar
• ¼ cup of coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon of lavender buds
• 10 drops of lavender essential oil

Antioxidant: Blueberry Honey Sugar Scrub

Rich in antioxidants, smashed blueberries help tone and balance your skin while fighting against free radical damage.

• ¼ cup of fresh blueberries
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil

Firming: Vanilla Coffee Scrub

The caffeine in your coffee cup can do more than perk you up. Combined with the crunchy grounds, this caffeinated DIY coffee scrub can also leave your skin smooth and firm, too.

• ½ cup of freshly ground coffee beans
• ½ cup of brown sugar
• ½ cup of melted coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Detoxifying: Lemon Sage Salt Scrub

A scoop of sea salt will cleanse and draw out the toxins in your skin while you savor uplifting, bright citrus and sage aromas.

• ¼ cup of finely ground sea salt
• 3 drops of lemon essential oil
• 3 fresh sage leaves
• 2 teaspoons of coconut oil

Calming: Rosemary and Herbal Tea Sugar Scrub

There’s nothing quite like a restorative cup of tea — except this DIY sugar scrub! Loose tea leaves and soothing rosemary essential oils combine to leave dry, flaky skin feeling calmer.

• 2 cups of granulated sugar
• 1 cup of coconut oil
• 10 drops of rosemary oil
• 3 bags of calming herbal tea

Invigorating: Grapefruit and Apricot Oil Sugar Scrub

Zesty grapefruit and apricot oil make this an enlivening, exfoliating DIY sugar scrub. Mix this together in a blender to break up the fresh citrus fruit pieces into a smooth consistency.

• 1 grapefruit
• 1 cup of granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons of apricot oil

Balancing: Green Tea and Honey Sugar Scrub

Green tea offers antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to renew and balance your skin. Both honey and tea offer antimicrobial powers as well to help fight breakouts.

• 2 tablespoons of brewed and cooled green tea
• ½ cup of granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon of honey

We’ve Got the Perfect Treat for Your At-Home Spa Day

The thing is, DIY sugar scrubs sometimes look good enough to eat. But you can save them for your skin and try this instead: Perfect Bar Snack Size! Available in Dark Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter and Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter. These snack-sized bar are perfect for when you’re feeling peckish.