How to Make a Basic Homemade Facial Scrub

Co-authored by R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH and Hunter Rising

We know it really starts to add up when you buy expensive facial scrubs to take care of your skin. If you want to save some money and avoid any synthetic products, there are a lot of effective scrubs you can make with things you probably have around your kitchen. The type of scrub you use depends on your skin’s current condition, so we’ve picked a ton of the best recipes you can try to find the one that works perfectly for you!

1

Coffee grounds

Used coffee grounds exfoliate skin and may reduce puffiness. Simply brew some coffee and remove the fresh grounds while they’re still warm. Combine 1 tablespoon (5 g) of the used grounds with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of olive or jojoba oil so it’s easier to apply. Gently massage the grounds into your skin before rinsing them off.^{[1]
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- Caffeine has antioxidants that help prevent aging and promote better circulation.^{[2]
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- Apply a gentle moisturizer after you use coffee grounds to keep your skin hydrated.
- Coffee grounds might be too abrasive for your skin, so stop using them if you notice redness, irritation, or skin damage.^{[3]
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2

Flaxseed

Beat redness and discomfort with this natural anti-inflammatory. Grind 1 teaspoon (3.4 g) of flaxseed with a coffee grinder or mortar and pestle. Stir in 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of a carrier, such as aloe vera gel, plain yogurt, or jojoba oil so the flaxseed is easier to spread around. Rub the scrub into your skin with light pressure, and rinse it off with warm water when you’re finished.^{[4]
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- Flaxseed has anti-inflammatory properties so it effectively works on swelling or blemishes.^{[5]
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3

Sugar, milk, and honey

Honey combined with sugar makes an excellent antibacterial exfoliant. Honey has been shown in many studies to kill bacteria, so it works well for treating any unsightly blemishes.^{[6]
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Go to source} Combine 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of natural honey, 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of milk, and 2 teaspoons (8.4 g) of sugar in a small bowl. Apply a thin layer of the scrub onto your face and leave it there for up to 15 minutes. Then, rinse it off with some warm water.^{[7]
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- Opt for fine-grained sugar instead of coarse since it could cause more irritation.^{[8]
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  Expert Source
  
  R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH
  Board Certified Dermatologist
  Expert Interview. 14 May 2021.}
- Wrap up your skincare routine by using your standard cleanser to remove any leftover scrub.

4

Coconut oil and sugar

Hydrate your skin while you exfoliate with this simple scrub. Combine 2 tablespoons (25 g) of sugar with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of coconut oil with a fork until the mixture is smooth. Apply the scrub to your face and leave it to sit for about 5 minutes. Then, work the scrub gently into your face in circular motions for 30 seconds before rinsing it off.^{[9]
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- This scrub works really well for flaky and patchy skin.
- Coconut oil works extremely well for hydrating your skin and protecting it from UV rays.^{[10]
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5

Aloe and sugar

This scrub works great for inflamed, acne-prone skin. Buy some aloe vera gel from your local pharmacy. Combine 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of the gel with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of olive oil and 3 teaspoons (12.6 g) of sugar in a small container. Massage the scrub into your skin gently before rinsing it off with cold water.^{[11]
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- Aloe vera has the added benefit of cooling your skin and easing inflammation.
- Many people have successfully treated acne or reduced its appearance with aloe, so it may work well for you.^{[12]
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6

Oatmeal, yogurt, and honey

Give this scrub a shot for treating itchiness or irritation on your face. A few studies have shown that oatmeal works well as a skin treatment since it’s filled with antioxidants.^{[13]
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Go to source} Mix 2 tablespoons (11.3 g) of oatmeal, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of plain yogurt, and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of honey in a small bowl. Rub the scrub onto your face gently and let it sit for 2–3 minutes. Then, rinse it off thoroughly with some warm water.^{[14]
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- Yogurt and honey help your skin stay hydrated while you’re exfoliating.

7

Brown rice and egg whites

Rice and eggs brighten your complexion and treat oily skin. Take 2 tablespoons (23 g) of brown rice and grind it into a fine powder with a coffee grinder. Pour the ground rice into a bowl and mix it with 1 egg white until you form a thick paste. Apply the scrub to your face in small circular motions to clean dead skin off of your face. When you’re finished, just rinse it off with warm water.^{[15]
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- Brown rice absorbs the oil from your skin and also effectively lightens skin discoloration.
- Egg whites help hydrate your skin and heal wounds on your face.^{[16]
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8

Almonds and jojoba oil

Try this natural scrub to soothe irritation and smooth out wrinkles. Grind about 12 raw almonds in a food processor until you have a fine powder. Slowly stir in 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 ml) of jojoba oil to make a paste with the almond powder. Gently rub the scrub into your face to exfoliate your skin. After you’re done cleaning your face, wipe off the scrub with a warm washcloth.^{[17]
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- While it won’t exfoliate as well as ground nuts, studies have shown that the emollient properties of almond oil could also help improve your complexion.^{[18]
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9

Lemon juice and salt

Kill bacteria on your face with this scrub. Lemon has antiseptic properties, so it could work to get rid of blemishes.^{[19]
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Go to source} Combine ¹⁄₂ teaspoon (2.5 ml) of lemon juice with 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of purified water and 1 tablespoon (17 g) of salt. Scrub the mixture gently into your skin for 2–3 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.^{[20]
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- Avoid using more lemon juice since it’s acidic and could irritate your skin.
- Lemon can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so apply sunscreen after using the scrub if you plan on going outside.

10

Strawberry and yogurt

Combat breakouts and oily skin with this natural mix. Strawberries are rich in vitamins and antioxidants, so they work well to fight against acne. Mash up ½ cup (83 g) of strawberries and mix it with 1 cup (240 ml) of plain yogurt. Lightly massage the mixture into your skin and leave it to sit for about 15 minutes. Then, rinse it off with some warm water.^{[21]
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- You can also add ½ cup (48 g) of ground almonds and a splash of apple cider vinegar to help brighten your skin even more.
- Strawberries also protect your skin from UVA rays.^{[22]
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11

Kiwi and brown sugar

This option works great if you have oily or acne-prone skin. Peel and mash 1 whole kiwi before stirring it in with 2 teaspoons (8.3 g) of brown sugar and a couple of drops of olive oil. Mix the ingredients thoroughly before applying them on your face. Leave it alone for 3–5 minutes before you rinse it off with some warm water.^{[23]
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- Kiwi has amino acids and vitamin C that help reduce your skin’s natural oil production while brown sugar works to scrub away dead skin.^{[24]
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12

Banana and sugar

Bananas smooth out your wrinkles and provide healthy vitamins. Mash up 1 banana with a fork and sprinkle in an equal amount of fine sugar. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to help soften the mixture even more. Once you combine all the ingredients, gently rub it into your skin and rinse it off with lukewarm water.^{[25]
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- You can add in 2 teaspoons (9.9 ml) of lemon juice or honey to help reduce natural oils and get glowing skin.

13

Peach, honey, and egg

If you have dry skin, this scrub helps keep you moisturized. Choose the ripest peach you can find and mash it up with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of honey. If you have oily skin, add in 1 egg white. For dry skin, put the egg yolk in instead. Rub the mixture onto your skin and let it sit for a couple of minutes. Then, rinse it off with some lukewarm water.^{[26]
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- Peaches can help boost collagen production in your skin.^{[27]
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Community Q&A

Question

What does the cinnamon scrub do?

Community Answer

The cinnamon scrub helps to reduce pimples, helps in removal of dark spots, and softens your skin.
Question

What's the best time for a sugar scrub?

Community Answer

After a shower at night. The hot water from the shower will soften the top layer of your skin and make it easier for the scrub to clean out the pores.
Question

Which among these is best for dry skin?

Community Answer

Use the one with coconut oil, sugar and lemon. The oil really helps with dry skin. The sugar and lemon cleanses the skin.

Warnings

Start by exfoliating your skin once a week so you don’t irritate your skin. If your skin can handle it, you can try exfoliating more often.^{[29]
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Avoid exfoliating if you have open wounds or sunburn on your face since it could cause even more irritation.^{[30]
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