Body Scrubs 101: 25 DIY Skincare Recipes For Head To Toe Exfoliation

While you are sitting at home since the parlours aren’t fully functional, and you desperately need a spa day, try these easy and quick scrub recipes. The true and ultimate form of relaxation is when you have that long-awaited hot shower after oiling your hair, putting on a face mask and of course exfoliating your skin. While your daily cleansing and moisturising help clean the skin, your skin also needs a little extra pampering and exfoliation. You probably already have all the ingredients you need to make an effective DIY scrub in your kitchen, so what are you waiting for? Know the benefits of exfoliation and try out these fabulous DIY recipes now! Wanna use red wine on face? Check out these tricks to know the best ways you can.

Benefits Of Exfoliation

1. Scrubs exfoliate the skin and help shed dead skin cells, revealing smooth and glowing skin.
2. Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells and other remaining impurities. It also helps keep your complexion blemish-free and your skin looking healthy.
3. It helps peel off dead skin and remove dullness from your skin, bringing your healthy glow back.
4. Regular exfoliation helps stimulate collagen synthesis to improve the skin’s texture, and integrity, and keep the skin looking plump, tight, and young.
5. It helps other skincare products like serums and moisturisers penetrate deeper.
6. Exfoliation increases cell turnover and keeps the skin even tone.

Dos & Don’ts Of Exfoliation

• Before exfoliating, always cleanse and dry your skin
• Daily makeup wearers should exfoliate at night to help remove leftover residue
• If you have dry and sensitive skin, you should exfoliate once or twice a week
• If you have oily skin, you can exfoliate two or three times a week if your skin allows it
• Exfoliation can have a drying effect, so it’s important to apply a moisturiser afterwards. Check out these homemade moisturiser recipes that will provide skin nourishment & prevent signs of ageing.
• Do not over-exfoliate, it leads to redness, irritation, breakouts and dry, flaky skin
• Do not exfoliate if it causes irritation

5 DIY Face Scrub Recipes

1. Cinnamon & Honey Scrub 

To get rid of your stubborn acne and marks, try this homemade face scrub that works wonders for acne-prone skin. The combo of honey and cinnamon will not only clear the pores but will also add a glow to the skin. It is best for soothing inflamed skin. The antibacterial properties of both honey and cinnamon can help reduce breakouts. This is also a homemade scrub for glowing skin. Using honey masks also helps add extra moisture and glow to your skin. 

You Will Need:

• 3 tbsps of raw organic honey 
• 1 tbsp of freshly ground cinnamon (dalchini)

How To Do It:

1. Mix the honey with cinnamon powder into a smooth paste.
2. Using a brush, apply this evenly over your face. Scrub gently in circular motions and wash off with cold water after 7 to 8 minutes. 
3. Wash your face with a cleanser if needed, and don’t forget to moisturise. 

2. Chocolate Face Scrub

This homemade face scrub for oily skin is simple and delicious. Chocolate is high in antioxidants and has anti-ageing properties. It also increases the production of collagen, hydrates skin and imparts a glow to the face making it silky soft.

You Will Need:

• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ⅛ cup olive oil
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract

How To Do It:

1. Mix all ingredients in a small bowl.  
2. Lather generously onto a clean face, rubbing gently into the skin for 60 seconds.
3. Allow it to set on the skin for 10 minutes if desired, then rinse clean with warm water.

3. Honey, Lemon & Sugar Scrub

When it comes to homemade face scrub for blackheads, this DIY face scrub is the best! Infused with natural exfoliants that remove dead skin cells, lemon helps clear up blackheads, acne, and discolouration. Honey also works as a natural antioxidant, helps moisturise and heal inflamed skin. This is the go-to homemade face scrub for blackheads. 

You Will Need:

• 1 cup of sugar
• ½ cup olive oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• Lemon juice

How To Do It: 

1. Mix the sugar, olive oil and honey.
2. To this, add the juice of one big lemon. Stir vigorously for some time.
3. Apply on your face and scrub for a few minutes before washing with cold water.
4. Make sure you don’t leave the scrub for too long as it might make the skin flaky.

4. Green Tea & Honey Face Scrub

Along with being a natural sweetener, honey works as an excellent moisturiser. The antioxidants present in green tea help with acne and inflammation. And adding green tea to your homemade face scrub with honey is sure to boost your skin. A homemade face scrub with honey and green tea repairs scar tissues prevents wrinkles and blemishes and also doubles as a sunblock.

You Will Need:

• 7-8 green tea bags 
• 1 cup of sugar
• 3 tbsp honey

How To Do It: 

1. Cut open your green tea bags and scoop out the contents. You could also recycle the ones that have already been used.
2. To this add sugar and honey and make a thick, gritty paste.
3. Apply this evenly over your face and scrub for 5 to 6 minutes, focusing on the dry spots.
4. Wash off with cold water. Pat dry and finish with a moisturising lotion or serum.

5. Coffee Scrub

This DIY coffee scrub for the face contains the goodness of coffee that improves blood circulation and stimulates the skin to add radiance and youthfulness. It also contains antioxidants, protects against UV damage and prevents moisture loss. Coffee is also a star ingredient for hair masks and treatments. 

You Will Need:

• 3 tsp of ground coffee
• ½ cup of curd (dahi)
• 1 tsp honey

How To Do It:

1. Mix coffee with the curd.
2. Blend in a mixer and leave aside for five minutes.
3. Once the mixture thickens, add honey and mix well.
4. Apply this mixture on the face and scrub in upward circular movements for about 8 to 10 minutes.
5. Wash off with cold water. 

5 DIY Body Scrub Recipes

1. Rose Petal Scrub

Rose is an ingredient that is used to fight dull skin. Rosewater is an excellent toner and it’s an even better body scrub.

You Will Need:

• 1 cup of almond flour, besan or rice flour
• 1 tbsp of dried rose petals and rose tea

How To Do It:

1. Combine almond flour, besan or rice flour with dried rose petals and rose tea. You can also use hibiscus tea.
2. Combine well with a little water to form a thick paste.
3. Apply to your dry body and remove with a damp cloth.

2. Coffee Body Scrub

Coffee is rich in antioxidants which help fight cellulite while olive oil in this scrub penetrates deep into your skin, hydrating it and keeping it healthy.

You Will Need:

• ¼ cup of ground coffee and sugar 
• 2 tbsps of olive oil
• 3 vitamin E capsules

How To Do It:

1. Combine ground coffee, sugar, olive oil and vitamin E capsules.
2. Mix until well combined.
3. Use your fingers to gently massage the mixture, in circular motions, for 2-3 minutes.
4. Wash off with warm water.

3. Vanilla Sugar Scrub

Who doesn’t love the warm fragrance of vanilla? And adding it to your shower products is a bonus! 

You Will Need:

• 1 cup of brown sugar, white sugar
• Olive oil
• 1 tbsp of vanilla extract

How To Do It:

1. Combine brown sugar, white sugar, olive oil, and vanilla extract.
2. Try using pure vanilla extract to avoid any skin irritation.
3. Mix well till it forms a coarse paste.
4. Gently massage the paste in a circular motion for 2-3 minutes.
5. Wash off with lukewarm water.

4. Haldi Scrub

Turmeric is one of the most popular natural beauty ingredients used in India. It has strong antiseptic and antibacterial properties, which help maintain your skin at its youngest best.

You Will Need:

• 1 cup of sugar
• 1½ cups of coconut oil
• 2 tbsps of haldi

How To Do It:

1. Mix sugar, coconut oil and haldi in a bowl.
2. Mix till it forms a coarse paste.
3. Gently massage the paste in a circular motion for 2-3 minutes.
4. Wash off with lukewarm water.
5. Avoid keeping the scrub on for a long time as it will stain your skin.

5. Sage & Honey Scrub

Honey is a natural moisturising agent that also helps with break out. The calming properties of honey and sage are sure to soothe your skin without drying it out. 

You Will Need:

• ½ cup of sugar
• ¼ cup of olive oil
• Rolled oats
• 1 tbsp of dried sage leaves
• Honey

How To Do It:

1.  Mix sugar with olive oil, rolled oats, dried sage leaves and honey, in a bowl.
2. Mix until well combined.
3. Apply the scrub as usual during our shower routine.

5 DIY Lip Scrub Recipes

1. Rose Petals & Milk Lip Scrub

If you suffer from discolouration of lips then rose petals and milk are your best options. Rose petals help in naturally lightening the colour of your lips and cold milk helps in brightening. 

You Will Need:

• Rose petals
• Milk

How To Do It:

1. Take petals from roses and mask them into a paste by adding milk. What you’ll achieve will somewhat look like a paste-like consistency.
2. Like a regular scrub, rub this paste on your lips gently. Make sure to not be vigorous on your lips.
3. Keep it on for 5 minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water. 
4. Apply your favourite moisturising lip balm at the end. 

2. Sugar & Honey Lip Scrub

This homemade sugar lip scrub is by far the best to obtain soft lips. You can add 2 drops of lavender essential oil to take care of any sunburns as well.

You Will Need:

• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp sugar (you can also use brown sugar)
• 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil

How To Do It:

1. Mix the sugar with raw honey well. 
2. Next, add those few drops of lavender oil to the mix. 
3. Once it’s completely blended in, apply the lip scrubs to your lips and rub it well in circular motions for two to three minutes. 
4. Apply some lip balm after washing off with lukewarm water. 

3. Coffee & Honey Lip Scrub

Coffee is not just suited in that cup which wakes you up every morning but also a secret weapon for your lips to exfoliate them thoroughly. Honey, on the other hand, helps in locking nourishment and moisture in your lips. In one word, this homemade lip scrub with honey is the best if you suffer from extremely dry and flaky lips. 

You Will Need:

• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp coffee grounds

How To Do It:

1. Mix the honey and coffee and stir them well. 
2. For about one minute, use the scrub on your lips and massage it well.
3. You can also keep it on as a mask for about 2 minutes.
4. Wash off with lukewarm water and apply your favourite balm. 

4. Lemon & Sugar Lip Scrub

You are aware that lemon acts as a natural bleaching agent and helps lighten skin tone. Remember to make sure that you use this homemade sugar lip scrub in the correct ratio with lemon juice to get effective results. 

You Will Need:

• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp vaseline 
• 2 tbsps of sugar

How To Do It:

1. Take the sugar and mix it with petroleum jelly or Vaseline to form a paste-like mix. 
2. Add the lemon juice to the mixture and combine well. 
3. Dab the mixture on your lips and massage it for one minute. You can also keep it on as a mask for 2-3 minutes. 
4. Either wash it off with lukewarm water or use a wet wipe to remove it. 

5. Orange Peel Lip Scrub

In case you’re suffering from dark, flaky and discoloured lips all at the same time and you’re unable to find a proper solution, use this orange peel lip scrub made with sugar and see the difference yourself.

You Will Need:

• 2 tbsps dried orange peel powder
• 2 tbsps brown sugar
• 10-12 drops of almond oil or coconut oil

How To Do It:

1. To make the orange peel powder at home, first, let your orange peels dry out naturally in the sun for a few days. Then grind it into a fine powder using your mixer grinder. 
2. Add the almond oil and brown sugar to the orange peel powder and mix well. 
3. Use this lip scrub to gently scrub your lips for about a minute and wash them off with water.
4. Use your favourite lip balm later. 

5 DIY Foot Scrub Recipes

1. Tea Tree Mint Foot Scrub

This foot scrub is very exfoliating which makes it really energising and refreshing. Tea tree is known for all their great properties. The tea tree and the peppermint give the right solution for tired and aching feet. Tea tree oil is known for its various properties such as antibacterial, antiseptic, balsamic and fungicide. Peppermint oil when applied to the skin causes surface warmth which helps to soothe the pain.

You Will Need: 

• 1 handful of sea salt
• 2 tbsps of olive oil 
• 2-3 drops of tea tree oil
• 2-3 drops of peppermint oil

How To Do It:

1. Put the sea salt in a glass bowl
2. Add the olive oil, tea tree oil and peppermint oil. Stir it well
3. Scrub the mixture on your feet
4. Leave the scrub on your feet for 10 minutes
5. Rinse and pat dry your feet
6. Apply moisturiser to avoid cracking

Note: If you already have cracks, this scrub may cause a little tingly feeling on your feet. It is completely normal and only means that the tea tree oil and salt are working.

2. Pineapple & Yoghurt Foot Scrub

Pineapples contain vitamin C which makes this an exfoliating foot scrub. Yoghurt can brighten the skin and improve the texture of the skin.

You Will Need:

• ½ cup of crushed pineapple 
• ½ cup of sugar
• 2 tbsps of yoghurt

How To Do It: 

1. Mix the sugar and yoghurt in a bowl and then add the pineapple to it
2. Massage the scrub on your feet for 10 minutes. Leave it on for another 10 minutes
3. Wash with lukewarm water

3. Honey & Camphor Foot Scrub

This homemade foot scrub is excellent if you have rough skin but it also works for all skin types. Camphor oil works great for wound healing and has anti-wrinkle properties. Honey makes the skin soft.

You Will Need:

• 1 tbsp honey
• 2-3 drops of camphor essential oil 
• 1 cup of bath salt 

How To Do It: 

1. Mix the bath salt and honey in a bowl.
2. Add the essential oil to this and blend well.
3. Apply the paste to your feet and gently massage for 10 minutes.
4. Leave it on for some time.
5. Soak your feet in warm water with bath salt.
6. Pat dry and apply moisturiser.

4. Honey & Sugar Foot Scrub

Honey has antibacterial properties and sugar is great for removing dead skin cells which makes this a perfect foot scrub if you want to exfoliate and keep your feet hygienic.

You Will Need: 

• 1 cup of bath salt 
• 1 cup of granulated sugar
• 2 tbsps raw honey
• 7-8 drops of lemon essential oil
• 1 cup olive or coconut oil

How To Do It: 

1. Mix the sugar and bath salt in a bowl and then add the coconut or olive oil to it.
2. Add honey and mix well.
3. Add the essential oil at the end so that it is evenly distributed.
4. Apply the scrub to your feet and massage well for 15 minutes.
5. Leave it on for a few minutes and then wash it off.

5. Oatmeal Foot Scrub

Oatmeal is a great exfoliator because of its coarse texture. It also makes your feet smooth and soothes minor rashes. Including it with bath salt and baking soda increase its exfoliating effect.

You Will Need:

• 2 tbsps bath salt 
• 2 tbsps oatmeal
• 1 tsp baking soda 
• 2-3 tbsps water 

How To Do It:

1. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
2. Make it into a paste.
3. Apply the paste to your feet.
4. Scrub it well.
5. Wash and follow it up with a moisturiser.

5 Scrubs To Tackle Tanning & Hyperpigmentation

1. Orange Peels Scrub

The skin around the underarms, knees and elbows is stretched a lot and is sensitive. Thus it is prone to hyperpigmentation. Orange peels are popularly used to brighten these areas as they are rich in skin-brightening and exfoliating properties. 

You Will Need:

• 1 cup of sun-dried orange peels or orange peel powder
• 2 tbsps rosewater (gulab jal)
• 2 tbsps milk

How To Do It:

1. Grind the dried orange peels into a coarse powder.
2. Mix the peel powder with some rosewater (gulab jal) and milk to form a thick paste. 
3. Gently scrub the desired area with the paste and leave it to dry for 15-20 minutes.
4. Wash it off thoroughly and pat dry. 

2. Dahi Exfoliator

Dahi has lactic acid which helps in sloughing the dead cells from the skin and to diminish the pigmentation spots. When mixed with besan, this exfoliating pack will give you cleaner and more radiant skin. 

You Will Need:

• 2 tbsps of curd (dahi)
• 4 tbsps gram flour (besan)
• A few drops of rosewater (gulab jal)

Method:

1. All the ingredients well to form a coarse paste.
2. Apply the mixture all over your face or body.
3. Let it sit for 20 minutes.
4. Use gentle circular motions to scrub off the mixture
5. For best results, use this remedy 3 to 4 times a week. 

3. Sea Salt Scrub

Sea salt helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and blemishes on the skin. This body scrub is made with tea tree and peppermint which makes it really energising and refreshing. Tea tree oil is known for its various properties such as antibacterial, antiseptic, balsamic and fungicide. Peppermint oil when applied to the skin causes surface warmth which helps to soothe pain, making it a cold-season favourite.

You Will Need: 

• 1 cup of sea salt
• 2 tbsps olive oil 
• 2-3 drops of tea tree oil
• 2-3 drops of peppermint oil

How To Do It:

1. Put the sea salt in a glass bowl.
2. Add the olive oil, tea tree oil and peppermint oil. Stir it well.
3. Scrub the mixture on your body.
4. Leave the scrub on for 10 minutes.
5. Rinse and pat dry.

4. Green Tea Exfoliant

Packed with polyphenols (a type of antioxidant), green tea is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains EGCG, another type of antioxidant that helps combat the signs of ageing. Green tea also stimulates skin cell rejuvenation. Made with green tea and olive oil, this simple homemade scrub can be prepared in just two minutes!

You Will Need:

• 1 tbsp dried green tea leaves
• 1 cup of brown sugar (or regular sugar)
• ½ cup of olive oil
• 2 tbsps honey
• Essential oil of your choice (optional)

How To Do It:

1. Combine all the ingredients well.
2. Apply all over your body.
3. Gently massage in circular motions.
4. Wash off with warm water.

5. Masoor Dal Exfoliator

Masoor dal works as a highly effective scrub when added to milk. This scrub ensures the removal of dark spots and discolouration. Milk offers skin-brightening effects while nourishing the skin.

You Will Need:

• 5 tbsps red lentils (masoor dal)
• 1 cup of milk

You Will Need:

1. Soak the masoor dal in the milk for a minimum of 2 hours.
2. Then, grind them together to form a coarse paste.
3. Apply this over the affected area.
4. Using circular motions, gently exfoliate the skin.
5. Rinse with warm water.

Scrubs can be great when mild, and corrosive when they have ingredients that cause micro-tears in the skin. That’s why we rely on DIY homemade scrubs that are suitable for sensitive skin and err on the side of caution. Try these scrub recipes and let us know your experience in the comments!