10 Simple Homemade Brown Sugar Scrubs For Gorgeous, Glowing Skin

By Ramona Sinha, Certified Skin Care Coach

Scrubbing stands as an indivisible part of one’s skin care routine. It helps us reap the maximum benefits of a skin care regime. But many of us often try to skip it because of the post-scrubbing redness and rashes. However, these adverse effects can be attributed to the various harsh chemicals in store-bought scrubs. What if you can instead go for a better alternative? We are talking about brown sugar – a skin-friendly natural scrub. Nothing is better than including this super-exfoliating and antioxidant-rich brown sugar scrub into your skin care routine. Here, we discuss the benefits of the brown sugar scrub and the various homemade recipes. Take a look.

Benefits Of Brown Sugar

1. It Is Rich In Antioxidants

A study claims that brown sugar can eliminate harmful free radicals. Its phenolic and volatile compounds give it its antioxidant properties (1). Antioxidants protect the skin cells from oxidative stress and prevent photo-aging (2).

2. It Contains AHAs

Cane brown sugar is rich in alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). These can penetrate your skin and break down the compound that binds the skin cells. This promotes cell regeneration and rejuvenation (3).

3. It Exfoliates Your Skin Without Damaging It

Brown sugar is much softer than white granulated sugar. It gently exfoliates your skin without damaging it. The sugar also keeps your skin hydrated and seals the moisture. It ensures your skin doesn’t feel dry at all.

These are a few important benefits of brown sugar. Making a brown sugar scrub is easy. The following recipes teach you how to make a brown sugar scrub right from the comfort of your home.

Homemade Brown Sugar Scrub Recipes For Glowing Skin

  1. Brown Sugar And Coconut Oil Scrub For Acne
  2. Brown Sugar And Honey Scrub
  3. Brown Sugar And Vanilla Scrub
  4. Brown Sugar And Olive Oil Scrub
  5. Brown Sugar And Coffee Grounds Scrub
  6. Brown Sugar And Lemon Scrub
  7.  Brown Sugar Exfoliating Scrub
  8. Brown Sugar And Almond Oil Scrub
  9. Brown Sugar Scrub For Oily Skin
  10. Brown Sugar And Peach Scrub

1. Brown Sugar And Coconut Oil Scrub For Acne

What You Need

  • ½ a cup of brown sugar
  • ½ a cup of coconut oil (unrefined)
  • 2-3 drops of an essential oil of your choice (optional)

How To Use

  1. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
  2. Apply it to your face and scrub in a circular motion for 10 minutes.
  3. Wash off with cold water.

Time Required

15 minutes

How Often And How Does It Work?

This pack can be applied once a week. The monolaurin in coconut oil exhibits antimicrobial properties and significantly reduces acne and scars (4).

2. Brown Sugar And Honey Scrub

What You Need

  • 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon of raw honey
  • 1 tablespoon of olive or coconut oil (optional)
  • 2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil (optional)

How To Use

  1. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl.
  2. Apply the scrub to your face and gently massage for 10 minutes.
  3. Let it stay for another 5-10 minutes and then wash with cold water.

Time Required

15-20 minutes

How Often And How Does It Work?

This pack can be applied twice a week. Raw honey has a soothing effect and also slows down wrinkle formation. A scrub mixed with raw honey is suitable for all skin types. It also reduces acne and seborrhea (5).

3. Brown Sugar And Vanilla Scrub

What You Need

  • 1 cup of brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • ½ a cup of olive/coconut/almond oil
  • ½ a teaspoon of vitamin E oil (squeeze a capsule)

How To Use

  1. Take a bowl and combine all the ingredients.
  2. You may adjust the amount of oil according to your preference.
  3. Apply the scrub to your skin (you can use it on your face and body).
  4. Scrub for 10 minutes and leave it on for another 10 minutes.
  5. Wash with warm water.

Time Required

20 minutes

How Often And How Does It Work?

You can apply this scrub twice a week. The vanillin in the vanilla extract is known for its skin repairing properties (6). The vitamin E can make the skin soft and supple. This pack helps reduce skin dryness and leaves you with a radiant look.

4. Brown Sugar And Olive Oil Scrub

What You Need

  • ½ a cup of brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil (you may adjust the quantity of oil as per your need)

How To Use

  1. Combine the ingredients in a bowl.
  2. Apply the mixture to your face and neck and gently massage with your fingers.
  3. Massage for 10 minutes and wash.

Time Required

10 minutes

How Often And How Does It Work?

Once or twice a week. Olive oil nourishes the skin and its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it ideal for all skin types (3).

5. Brown Sugar And Coffee Grounds Scrub

What You Need

  • ¼ cup of brown sugar
  • ¾ cup of coffee grounds
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • ⅓ cup of coconut oil

How To Use

  1. Mix all the ingredients (except the oil) in a bowl.
  2.  Add the oil at the end. Adjust your quantity to get a thick, paste-like consistency.
  3. Apply the mixture to your skin (both face and body) and scrub gently in a circular motion.
  4. Wash with lukewarm water.

Time Required

10-15 minutes

How Often And How Does It Work?

This pack can be applied once a week. The caffeine in the coffee grounds exhibits antioxidant properties. It can also reduce photoaging of the skin and lighten sunspots (7). This pack helps reduce dark spots and may also improve acne.

6. Brown Sugar And Lemon Scrub

What You Need

  • ½ a cup of brown sugar
  • ½ a lemon
  • 1 tablespoon of olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon of honey

How To Use

  1. Squeeze the juice out of the lemon in a bowl.
  2. Add brown sugar, oil, and honey and mix well until you achieve a medium to thick consistency.
  3. Apply the scrub to your face and neck and massage with your fingertips for 10 minutes.
  4. Leave it on for another 5 or 10 minutes and wash with cool water.

Time Required

15-20 minutes

How Often And How Does It Work?

It can be applied once or twice a week. Lemon juice has antioxidant properties and reduces signs of premature skin aging caused due to oxidative stress (8). It works best for acne-prone skin and oily skin.

7. Brown Sugar And Oatmeal Exfoliating Scrub

What You Need

  • 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon of oatmeal
  • 1 tablespoon of raw honey
  • 1 tablespoon of carrier oil (you may use organic coconut/jojoba/almond/olive oils`)

How To Use

  1. Grind the oatmeal and brown sugar in a blender.
  2. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and stir well.
  3. Wet your face a little and apply the scrub.
  4. Gently massage in circular motions for 5-10 minutes.
  5. Wash off.

Time Required

5-10 minutes

How Often And How Does It Work?

You can use this scrub twice a week (if you have sensitive skin, use once a week). The oatmeal in this scrub can absorb excess oil on the skin and help reduce acne. It also removes dead skin cells and acts as an effective scrub. It can help treat acne-prone skin (9).

8. Brown Sugar And Almond Oil Scrub

What You Need

  • ½ a cup of brown sugar
  • 3 teaspoons of almond oil
  • 1 teaspoon of honey

How To Use

  1. Mix the sugar, oil, and honey in a bowl.
  2. Apply the mixture to your face and neck.
  3. Massage for 5 minutes and wash with warm water.

Time Required

5-7 minutes

How Often And How Does It Work?

This can be applied once a week. Almond oil exhibits sclerosant properties and can improve skin complexion and tone. Additionally, it also helps repair skin damaged by UV rays (4).

9. Brown Sugar Scrub For Oily Skin

What You Need

  • 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
  • ½ a cup of oatmeal
  • 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon of lemon juice

How To Use

  1. Mix all the ingredients and make a smooth paste.
  2. Wash your face and apply the scrub.
  3. Massage for 5 minutes and leave it on for another 5 minutes.
  4. Wash off with cool water.

Time Required

10 minutes

How Often And How Does It Work?

You can use this scrub twice a week. The apple cider vinegar in this scrub contains acetic acid and lactic acid. They are antibacterial in nature (10), (11).

10. Brown Sugar And Peach Scrub

What You Need

  • ⅔ cup of brown sugar
  • 2 ripe and mashed peaches (do not peel)
  • 1 tablespoon of olive oil

How To Use

  1. Take a bowl and mix all the ingredients well.
  2. Wash your face and apply the scrub all over (in case you want to use it as a body scrub, apply after rinsing).
  3. Scrub for 5-10 minutes (if using on the face) and leave it on for another 5-10 minutes.
  4. Wash it off with cool water.

Time Required

10-20 minutes

How Often And How Does It Work?

You can apply this scrub once or twice a week. Peaches are rich in vitamin A and promote skin health (12). If applied regularly, they help treat dry skin and reduces the appearance of wrinkles (13).

These are the best homemade brown sugar scrubs you can try. The ingredients are readily available in your kitchen – and making them is simple. But before you go ahead and prepare one, consider the following tips and precautions.

Tips And Precautions For Using Homemade Brown Sugar Scrubs

  1. Never scrub too forcefully or over-scrub a particular area. This will harm your skin. Aggressive exfoliation may cause dark spots on your skin.
  2. Be cautious when using essential oils in your scrub. Never use more than the amount prescribed. Before you use an essential oil on your skin, do a patch test to see if it suits your skin.
  3. Use scrubs less frequently if you have acne-prone skin. Scrub mildly and use ingredients that aren’t too abrasive on your skin (avoid coffee grounds). You may also include tea tree oil in your scrub.
  4. If you have acne-prone and sensitive skin, avoid using a scrub more than once a week.

Conclusion

A healthy diet and a regular skin care regime will help you get that baby soft skin. Include these scrubs in your skin care routine and you will see a difference in no time. Although the ingredients used here are natural, listen to your skin and pay attention to how it is reacting to them. You also may do a patch test on your skin before using these scrubs. If you experience no reaction, you are good to go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a sugar scrub on my face every day?

No, it is best to use the sugar scrub a few times a week.

Which is better for the skin: white sugar or brown sugar?

Brown sugar is better for the skin as it is raw and not chemically treated like white sugar. The nutrients of white sugar may have been lost during bleaching.

Does brown sugar cause acne?

No, brown sugar does not cause acne. However, do not use it more than once a week if you have acne-prone skin.

Do we use a sugar scrub on wet or dry skin?

You may use the sugar scrub on either wet or dry skin. Ideally, use it after you towel dry your face.

Key Takeaways

  • Homemade scrubs can help you get soft, smooth skin without the side effects of the chemicals found in store-bought exfoliators.
  • Brown sugar natural scrub not only helps exfoliate your skin but also benefits it with its antioxidant properties.
  • You can use coconut oil, vanilla, coffee, lemon, and olive oil along with brown sugar to give you the desired effect as per your skin type.

Sources

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

  1. Assessment of antioxidant activity of cane brown sugars by ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging assays: determination of their polyphenolic and volatile constituents
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16366697/
  2. Skin Photoaging and the Role of Antioxidants in Its Prevention
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3789494/
  3. Randomized clinical efficacy of superficial peeling with 85% lactic acid versus 70% glycolic acid
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3900339/
  4. Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5796020/
  5. Honey in dermatology and skin care: a review
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24305429/
  6. Vanillin: a review on the therapeutic prospects of a popular flavouring molecule
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7790484/
  7. Caffeine\’s mechanisms of action and its cosmetic use
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23075568/
  8. Antioxidant and anti-ageing activities of citrus-based juice mixture
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26471635/
  9. Oatmeal in dermatology: a brief review
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22421643/
  10. The antibacterial activity and stability of acetic acid
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237083528_The_antibacterial_activity_and_stability_of_acetic_acid
  11. Evaluation of Lactic Acid As an Antibacterial Agent
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28223586/
  12. Nutritional content of fresh and canned peaches
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22968977/
  13. Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol)
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17515510/
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Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze. Prior to that, she authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She... more

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