Natural brown sugar and honey scrub is one of the simplest DIYs. I won’t lie if I say that it takes less than one minute to make. Brown sugar scrub with honey and olive oil in a beautiful glass jar is a perfect natural wellness DIY gift idea. You only need a few simple ingredients, yet it is so effective.

Woman lifting with a stick some brown sugar scrub in a jar with a spoonful of brown sugar on the side.

I don’t use much cosmetics or beauty products or creams, for I prefer to make them myself, and well, there is a limit to what one person can do. Sugar scrubs always sounded to me quite fun, but I thought I didn’t need any of that stuff.

Boy, I was wrong.

Last winter, I experienced some really dry skin during the winter months, so I decided to give something new a try. Now, the brown sugar scrub has become a cherished staple in my natural beauty routine!

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Homemade brown sugar scrub benefits and how it works

Exfoliates dead skin cells and removes dirt
Unclogs the skin pores
Cleanses and moisturises your skin
Helps to stimulate the blood circulation
Speeds up the natural renewal process of your skin
Solves the problems with ingrown hairs
Doesn’t break the bank to make your affordable spa day at home!
Fresh and natural! No additional ingredients needed to preserve.

Sugar scrub in a glass jar with ingredients for the homemade natural scrub in small jars: olive oil, honey, and brown sugar.

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Homemade sugar scrub is so versatile! Depending on the grain size of the sugar you use, you can use your brown sugar scrub as a:

Natural face scrub
Natural lip scrub
Natural body scrub
Natural hand and foot scrub

How often should I use the sugar scrub?

If you have not used any sugar scrubs before, start gently. Depending on your skin, once week might be a good fit, some scrub a few times a week. If you are making a facial scrub, use smaller-grained sugar and scrub gently in circular motions. If you scrub too hard, too much can damage the skin. Apply only on undamaged skin.

Ingredients for a homemade brown sugar scrub

Ingredients for brown sugar scrub in small jars: brown sugar, honey, olive oil.

Exfoliating brown sugar

In this recipe, the brown sugar is the exfoliator and doesn’t give any nutritional value. So does the sugar matter? Yes. When choosing the sugar, figure out if you need small-grained sugar for your face and lips or bigger-grained sugar for the body, which is rougher and abrasive.

Brown sugar body scrub for lips, face, and whole body

Use the smaller-grained brown sugar for sugar scrubs that are made for lips or face. If you have sensitive skin, you can certainly use it for the whole body.

Caster sugar for face and body

Use middle sized grained caster sugar for face and whole body. Try it first out if it feels good for your face, you can make a facial sugar scrub of it. If not, brown sugar is your choice.

Three different options for a sugar scrub displayed in small jars: corarse cane sugar, finer caster sugar and fine sand like brown sugar.

Cane sugar body scrub

The cane sugar has larger sugar crystals than brown sugar and caster sugar. Use it for the whole body, especially hands and feet, to get the dry skin out and moisturise them. Avoid the face and delicate skin, for it is quite abrasive.

You can substitute sugar with fine sea salt.

Soothing honey

Honey has plenty of benefits in skincare: it moisturises, soothes, keeps skin juvenile and retards the wrinkle formation. On top of that, honey is antibacterial, and it has been used in skin treatments since 2000 B.C. by ancient Greeks and Egyptians, so honey is practically magic.

Beware when buying honey; make sure to choose unpasteurized and raw honey to obtain the best nutritional benefits. If you are unsure, you can make a simple raw honey test with water: drop some honey in a glass of water; if it dissolves and vanishes in water, it is processed. If honey sinks straight to the bottom, it is naturally raw honey and not filtered!

Sourcing honey locally is the safest option, as you can ask direct questions to the producer. While staying with relatives in Morocco, we buy honey from the mountains from local beekeepers, and I have had very good results with them!

Moisturising olive oil

Like honey, olive oil is also a good moisturiser. And most skin types will benefit from it. If you have sensitive skin or acne-prone skin, better leave it out. Olive oil prevents premature aging for it is rich in vitamins A, D, and K.

You can substitute olive oil with sweet almond oil or, for example, jojoba oil. You can certainly use coconut oil as well, but I do not highly recommend it for body scrubs when using a generous amount. When coconut oil cools down, it solidifies and might clog the drains.

Tools you may need

Storage jar with an airtight clamp lid, or a mason jar
Spoon for measuring and mixing

How to make brown sugar scrub with honey

Step one: Measure ingredients

Start by measuring the ingredients in a cup or directly into the jar you want to store your sugar scrub in.

Step two: Mix

Then mix all together well.

Step three: Store

Store your homemade sugar scrub in a glass jar with an airtight lid. Notice that if you are not using it right away or you are storing it for later, the olive oil might separate. That’s ok, just mix them again before using.

How to use the brown sugar and honey scrub with olive oil

At the end of your bath, when your skin is softer, apply some brown sugar and honey scrub on your skin and exfoliate with your fingers in circular motion. Rub gently all over the wanted area. When you feel ready, wash the sugar scrub off with warm water and pat dry with a towel. It leaves your skin smooth and silky.

How to tweak this recipe

Add a few drops of your favorite essential oils for a perfumed sugar scrub.
If you prefer sweeter scent, a few drops of vanilla extract

Brown sugar scrub as a natural wellness gift

Pack your homemade sugar scrub in a glass jar with a ribbon and a tiny flower, and you have a perfect gift for Mother’s Day or any other suitable occasion!

Natural brown sugar scrub with honey packed as a homemade natural gift with a ribbon and flower.

What is your favourite natural wellness product?

Which homemade beauty product do you enjoy making and why? Tag me on Instagram with @blue.tea.tile or let me know in the comments, I would love to know your favourites!

If you liked this recipe, you might like my homemade cocoa butter lip balm recipe, too!

Natural brown sugar scrub in a glass jar.

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Natural brown sugar scrub with honey & olive oil

Prep Time: 1 minute

Active Time: 1 minute

Total Time: 1 minute

Difficulty: Easy

Materials

1 part brown sugar
1 part honey
1 part olive oil

Tools

Storage jar with an airtight lid
Spoon for measuring and mixing

Instructions

Step one: Measure ingredients
Start by measuring the ingredients in a cup or directly into the jar you want to store your sugar scrub in.
Step two: Mix
Then mix all together well.
Step three: Store
Store your homemade sugar scrub in a glass jar with an airtight lid. Notice that if you are not using it right away or you are storing it for later, the olive oil might separate. That’s ok, just mix them again before using.

 Using the brown sugar and honey scrub with olive oil
At the end of your bath, when your skin is softer, apply some brown sugar and honey scrub on your skin and exfoliate with your fingers in a circular motion. Rub gently all over the wanted area. When you feel ready, wash the sugar scrub off with warm water and pat dry with a towel. It leaves your skin smooth and silky.

 How to store sugar scrub
Use a clean, airtight container to store your brown sugar and honey scrub. I have used glass jars with a clamp lid because they look so pretty and easy to clean and reuse. Choose a container with natural materials, so they go perfectly with the natural lifestyle . Normally, I do myself a small batch for one use with 1 teaspoon of each to skip the storing part and keep it fresh.

 Store your homemade brown sugar scrub cool to prevent the oils from going rancid, otherwise, it will last a very long time. Just use a spoon or a stick to avoid any bacteria entering the jar when you are using it to guarantee the shelf life and freshness of your honey brown sugar scrub.

Notes

Notice: In the recipe there no preservatives are used, so ingredients might separate, just mix again before using.
Check the header: Ingredients you need for homemade brown sugar scrub for more information about the ingredients, benefits, and substitutes.
Scroll up for ideas on how to tweak your sugar scrub