DIY Body Scrubs: 5 Easy Recipes to Exfoliate Your Skin

Exfoliation can be a great way to keep your skin looking vibrant and healthy.

A body scrub is a popular way to exfoliate your skin, and there are plenty of store-bought varieties to choose from. Or, you can make your very own homemade body scrub using ingredients you already have in your pantry.

Exfoliation with a body scrub, or with other types of products like a brush or loofah, can help boost the health and appearance of your skin in several ways.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, exfoliation can leave your skin looking brighter because it removes the top layer of dead skin cells. It can also stimulate the production of collagen, which may help your skin stay firm and radiant.

Another benefit of exfoliation is that it can improve the efficacy of topical treatments. If you exfoliate your skin before applying a cream, for example, the cream will be able to penetrate more deeply instead of sitting on the surface.

In addition, massaging your skin with a body scrub can also be a wonderful way to relax and feel calmer, especially if you’re tired or stressed.

It's best not to use a body scrub on your skin every day. Overexfoliating your skin can leave it dry, sensitive, and irritated.

It's generally safe to exfoliate your skin two to three times a week. If your skin is dry and sensitive, you may want to exfoliate only once a week. If you have a skin condition, or if you’re unsure how often you should exfoliate your skin, talk to a dermatologist.

It's usually easiest to apply a body scrub in the shower or bath. Gently massage the scrub into your skin in a circular motion and rinse it off thoroughly with warm water.

To make a DIY body scrub, keep the following items on hand:

Once you have those items, you can mix the oils with the granules of your choice, such as salt or sugar. You may also want to add other ingredients that can benefit your skin, like honey or green tea, as outlined in the recipes below.

With homemade body scrubs, it's important to get the consistency right. You don't want it to be too runny, which can make it hard to scoop into your hands, but you also don't want it to be too crumbly.

Here are some of the most popular types of DIY body scrubs that are both beneficial to your skin and easy to make.

There's some scientific evidence that caffeine may help diminish the appearance of cellulite.

A 2011 study tested a cream containing caffeine and other ingredients on 78 participants. The study found that after 12 weeks of use, the participants who used the cream saw a significant decrease in the appearance of their cellulite. A 2015 clinical study involving 15 subjects found similar results.

However, these creams contained other ingredients, such as retinol, so it's hard to determine how effective the caffeine is on its own at making cellulite less noticeable.

That said, coffee is still a popular ingredient for many DIY body scrubs. The tiny granules are gentle on the skin, while still being effective at removing dead cells from the skin's surface. And who can't resist the aroma of a cup of coffee?

Brown sugar is an inexpensive and accessible ingredient that also does a great job of exfoliating your skin.

Brown sugar is gentler on skin than sea salt or Epsom salt. This makes it an ideal ingredient for sensitive skin. The sugar granules might make your skin feel sticky, so be sure to rinse thoroughly after you’ve exfoliated.

Salt has antibacterial properties that can be helpful for some skin conditions. Salt is also a preservative, so the sea salt scrub will be able to naturally preserve itself.

Use ground sea salt, as coarse sea salt can be too harsh on your skin. Sea salt scrubs may be too abrasive for sensitive skin. Also, be careful if you have a cut on your skin as the salt can sting.

Because salt has no fragrance, you may want to add your favorite essential oils to your DIY salt scrub.

Rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, green tea may benefit your skin in several ways.

Also, according to a 2013 study, cosmetics that contain green tea may be able to reduce harm to the skin caused by sun damage.

Green tea can easily be added to a homemade body scrub together with other nourishing ingredients.

Research shows that honey has antibacterial properties. According to a 2016 review, honey also has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that may help a variety of skin conditions.

Not only can honey help repair skin tissue and protect against UV damage, it may also help kill germs on the skin.

Honey can easily be combined with granules and oil to make a skin-nourishing body scrub. After massaging the scrub into your skin, be sure to rinse your skin off thoroughly to prevent stickiness.

These homemade scrubs are only intended to be used on your body, not your face. The skin on your face is more sensitive than the skin on the rest of your body.

Avoid exfoliating skin that is:

If you want to add essential oils to your body scrub, do a patch test with the diluted oil on your skin first to make sure you’re not allergic to the oil.

If you have sensitive skin or very dry skin, talk to your doctor or dermatologist to find out if exfoliation with a body scrub is right for you.

DIY body scrubs are quick and easy to make, and an affordable option compared to store-bought scrubs.

These natural homemade exfoliants can be used to cleanse, soften, and nourish your skin. Always be gentle when exfoliating your skin, and use extra caution if your skin is sensitive or very dry.