This invigorating DIY lemon sugar scrub is an easy gift idea, your recipient will love. In addition to the sugar scrub recipe, I've included free printable labels too!
Scrubs and other homemade skin care products are a great way to use essential oils, and this lemon body scrub will leave your skin feeling not just silky and smooth, but smelling amazing!
Lemon Sugar Scrub Benefits
The ingredients in lemon sugar scrub are ideal for acne, skin lightening and a generally fresh and healthy complexion. The scrub is good for lips and facial treatments as well as a body scrub. This easy and inexpensive to make beauty product is more than worth the small effort to make a batch. For lip care in particular, see my DIY lip scrub recipe.
What's in Lemon Sugar Scrub
Let's look over the benefits of the ingredients used to make the sugar scrub. I think you will easily see why this is such a popular sugar scrub.
Lemon Essential Oil
This essential oil doesn't just have a fresh invigorating scent. It also evens skin tone and lightens skin. Lemon essential oil is beneficial for those with acne, due to it's vitamin C content and antibacterial properties. The oil is also great for anti-aging, since the antioxidant properties it has help clear free radicals.
Coconut oil
Not one, but two forms of coconut oil are used in this nourishing scrub. Both fractionated (also called liquid) and refined coconut oils are used. The natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of the oil are highly beneficial to acne sufferers.
The refined (or unrefined if you don't mind adding a coconut scent to your scrub) coconut oil contains lauric acid. Lauric acid is a powerful acne fighter. It was shown in this study to be more effective than benzoyl peroxide in combating inflammatory acne.
Fractionated coconut oil is added to the scrub due to it's easy absorption and thinner consistency in colder temperatures. It also reduces the leftover oily feel on skin surface after using the sugar scrub. Of course the oil is also a great way to moisturize and nourish dry skin as well.
Sugar
Cane sugar is a fantastic skin exfoliant. By sloughing off dead skin cells, granulated sugar helps other ingredients soak deeper into the dermis.
As you can see this homemade sugar scrub is excellent for the skin whether you are young or old.
Lemon Sugar Scrub - Gifting
This homemade gift is something they will actually use and perhaps request again. I think it is perfect for a Birthday or Mother's Day gift, but would be lovely for any occasion really. The super easy to make scrub would be nice for craft sales and church bazaars too.
The labels give the finished body scrub a more polished look in my opinion anyway. They are my favorite labels I've made so far. If you follow the recipe the label lists the ingredients will be correct. This helps recipients avoid ingredient reactions.
Make it a Gift Basket
Make an uplifting healthy skin gift basket for a friend or family member. Place a few bath scrubbies, sponges or other bath tools in a basket or nice bucket. Add this sugar scrub and:
- Lemon Soap
- Lemon Bath Bombs
- Nail Strengthener with lemon
How to Make Sugar Scrub
While I do use other formulations on occasion, this sugar scrub pretty much the my go to. If you want to make a scrub with a different essential oil or blend than lemon, simply swap the oil. Then use an associated color to tint it.
I'll walk you through the whole thing visually here. If you prefer to just get to it, scroll down to the printable recipe card.
Ingredients for the Scrub
Here are the ingredients you will need to make the lemon scrub.
- 2 cups white sugar
- ½ cup refined coconut oil
- 2 tbsp fractionated coconut oil
- 40 drops of lemon essential oil
- 1-2 drops yellow gel food coloring
Start with your sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the refined coconut oil. Melt the oil if hard before combining.
Squeeze a drop or two of gel food coloring into the bowl.
Add 40 drops of lemon essential oil.
Finally add 2 tablespoons of fractionated coconut oil to the sugar and mix well.
Lemon Sugar Scrub Labels
As you may have noticed I am a big fan of making labels for my sugar scrubs. I wanted a really special label for this one.
First print the PDF file (below) on card stock
and cut out each circle.
They are perfectly sized to fit the indent on a 4 ounce wide mouth mason jar
.
Spread adhesive thinly on the surface of the paper or lid then gently press on to lid. Use a clean dry cloth to slide across surface from center to edges. This will ensure the label sticks well. Wipe away any excess glue. I used Tacky Glue
for this.
Pop the lids on the scrubs and screw the ring on.
Here is the PDf file for the Lemon Sugar Scrub Labels
Recipe Variations:
You may be wondering why I don't use lemon zest in this recipe. Omitting it helps extend the shelf life of the finished product. I also didn't see it as necessary since the scrub was already a bright sunny yellow from the colorant I used. Of course if you are sensitive to food dyes, by all means skip the gel food dye and add some zested lemon peel into the mixture.
If you don't have fractionated coconut oil, swap in sweet almond oil or even some olive oil. If you prefer not to use coconut at all, just add the original ½ cup of substitute oil and check consistency since they will be thinner.
Applying Lemon Body Scrub
Apply to damp skin using a circular motion. Focus your attention on rough skin areas like the elbows, but this give you soft and silky smooth skin over your entire body. Rinse with warm water and pat dry with a clean towel.
Can Lemon and Sugar Scrub Lighten Skin?
Fresh lemon juice can slightly reduce the pigment in skin, but the effect using this scrub will be slight since the scrub uses essential oil is used rather than highly acidic lemon juice. It will still slough off the darker outer layers and brighten skin somewhat and is gentler on sensitive skin.
Lemon Sugar Scrub
Ingredients
Lemon Sugar Scrub Recipe
- 2 cups white sugar
- ½ cup refined coconut oil
- 2 tablespoon fractionated coconut oil
- 40 drops of lemon essential oil
- 1-2 drops yellow gel food coloring
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a large mixing bowl.
- Mix well to ensure the scrub is thoroughly blended.
- Scoop into jars and affix lids.
karrie
thank you, thank you for making these labels it really makes a difference when you want to give it as a gift, what other items do you have labels for?
Beauty Crafter
Most of my sugar scrubs have labels. The mermaid & lemon bath bombs do and several of the bottled beauty products. The rose face spray has a floral label like this one.
Martha
Hi! Thanks for sharing this! How long does it last? I'm new to making my own beauty products and I'm wondering if it's better to make small batches or rather a large one?
Beauty Crafter
Sugar scrubs have a pretty decent shelf life. If you stick to sugar and oils they last several months.
Chris Daniels
How do I order the lemon jar labels?
Beauty Crafter
Just print them out.
Isaiah
How long until the product is made does it expire.
Beauty Crafter
It is good for a couple months anyway.
I have a jar of this I'm still using from a batch I made in early spring and it is still good. The lemon scrub lasts longer than some of the others I've made. I expect the essential oil is a mild preservative.
Carolyn
Thank you so much for providing the beautiful labels with your scrubs! As an idea, I first cut out the labels and then laminated them as a protective covering just in case some water gets on it and I can easily wipe it off.
Beauty Crafter
Great tip.
Clear contact paper on the exposed side would probably work as well.
Shyann
Is there a way to make this replacing the coconut oils? I’m super allergic but really want to try any ideas you have!!
Beauty Crafter
Yes, swap it with any skin safe oil you like. I would add a little less oil though as most are thinner at room temperature. You don't want a drippy scrub.
Joanne Kirkham
How do I list this as ingredients on a label? Also I will be adding a preservative
Beauty Crafter
The ingredients are listed on the label. Maybe just add in the preservative in fine point marker or put a sticker the ingredients with what you actually used. I don't have the editable file on this computer, so can't generate one without them for you.
Ciara
If you sell these, I will buy
Beauty Crafter
I don't sell anything. I just supply the recipe and free printable labels.
Beauty Crafter
Sorry, I don't sell. I just provide recipes, info and free printables, for DIY health and beauty products.
Kathy
You are so sweet too provide this 😊
Thank You !!
Beauty Crafter
Your welcome. Enjoy the sugar scrub 🙂
Ashley
Does the food coloring stain the hands?
Beauty Crafter
Not while using the scrub, but the concentrated dye can while you are making the sugar scrub.
Becki
Since this calls for 2 cups of sugar and 1/2 cup of oil, would this not be too much for 2 4 oz jars? Thank you for your help
Beauty Crafter
Becki you are 100% right. The jars are half pint, not 4 oz. Thank you. Edited to reflect the correct size.
Becki
Thank you!! I made these today for a gift for our church ladies on Mother’s Day and I went ahead and followed the directions and ended up with a lot left over!!!😁. But Since we live in a very small town, i think I’m going to put the leftover in glass jars and take to our hospital for the nurses and support staff as just a simple small thank you!
Thank you for the recipe
Beauty Crafter
What a fabulous use of the rest of the sugar scrub <3
Antonia
Hi there!
I have 3 questions for you...
1) When will this receipe expire or go bad?
2) If I used real lemon juice, how long do you think it would last then?
3) Is using a preservative bad for the skin and would it help make this last even longer using the lemon essential oil or even real lemon juice?
Also, since sugar is a natural preservative, shouldn't real lemon juice last long or not expire? I truly don't want this to mold...
If you have any recommendations on some good natural preservatives to use for this, I would truly appreciate it!
Thank you so much for your time!
Beauty Crafter
The scrub made as directed will easily last a few months in a sealed jar. I do not recommend using lemon juice in the sugar scrub unless you are making a small batch to use right away.
Laura
How much jojoba oil would you use if substituting the coconut oil? Love this recipe and the labels! Thank you so much for sharing!
Beauty Crafter
Oil would be pretty much equivalent.
Lisa Watts
Did you use regular sugar or raw sugar? Thanks!
Beauty Crafter
regular