If you’re looking for easy, customizable, and all-natural face scrub recipes, you’re in the right place.
Learn how to make your own face scrub with ingredients already in your pantry. Included are 15 easy homemade face scrub recipes.
There are many great exfoliants, but nothing quite compares to gathering the ingredients and making a natural scrub for your face at home, free of unfamiliar and damaging synthetic ingredients. You’ll have full control to make one that works perfectly for your skin needs: hydrating your skin, combating acne, fighting those clogged pores, and more!
DIY face scrub recipes
My homemade face scrub recipes are easy to spread and will leave your skin cleansed, exfoliated, soft, and moisturized. They are excellent for all skin types, and many can be easily adapted to target any of your problem areas like oils, dryness, or blemishes.
The first reason why I started making my own body scrubs was to avoid harmful substances. One of my favorites is this anti-cellulite ginger body scrub.
These DIY Face Scrub recipes can be used on the face and body. They are mostly designed for the face but also work perfectly for the body!
Don’t forget to pin these face scrubs!
When should I exfoliate?
First thing first.
You should know your skin type.
Exfoliation is the first step to fixing dull or textured skin. I do it twice a week since I have normal skin, but if your skin is oily, I recommend doing it three to four times a week.
When scrubbing your face, remember to limit it to twice a week and always follow it up with a layer of moisturizer to compensate for the loss of moisture during the process. Here’s how regular scrubbing works wonders for the skin.
“Anytime you exfoliate your skin, it is important that you do not rub your face too hard,” says Howard Sobel, MD, a dermatologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York and founder of Sobel Skin. “This can cause your skin to feel irritated and result in redness or burning.”
The Best DIY Face Scrub recipes
These homemade face scrub recipes can be adapted to target specific concerns like oiliness, texture, or blemishes. Plus, they take just minutes to make.
Brown Sugar + Honey Face Scrub for all skin types
Honey and sugar are natural humectants (moisture preservers) that make a gentle scrub to buff away flakes, clear out pores, and lock in moisture.
- 1 + ½ tsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp honey
Mix the ingredients together, and apply the mix to your face with your fingertips or an exfoliating sponge. Using small circular motions, start exfoliating gently. Rinse with warm water and let your face air dry. If there’s any residual honey, use a washcloth to cleanse thoroughly.
Oats + Yogurt DIY face scrub for sensitive skin
This Oatmeal Cleansing Facial Scrub has been my go-to for many years. It’s both gentle and soothing on my skin, and it’s perfect for traveling.
Soothing and anti-inflammatory oats are ideal for sensitive skin. Ground oats gently unclog pores while their natural saponins cleanse and absorb dirt and oil.
This recipe is super simple. My favorite thing about making my own scrubs is once you realize how simple it is and that you can customize every ingredient for what your skin likes best, you will never want to buy store-bought again.
- 1 teacup oats
- ½ teacup yogurt
- 1 tbsp honey
In a blender or food processor, pulse the oats until they are finely ground. Mix the ground oats with the yogurt and honey until it forms a paste. Gently rub the Face Scrub into your face, and store any leftovers in an airtight container for later.
Papaya + Honey DIY face scrub
Papaya contains natural enzymes that nourish, soften, and exfoliate the skin. The main beauty ingredient in papaya is papain, a natural enzyme that has skin-bleaching & exfoliating properties. The honey provides a soothing and calming effect, which helps tone down the acidic nature of the papaya.
- 1 clean and chopped papaya
- 1 tbsp honey
- juice of 1 lemon
Chop the papaya into little pieces. Place them into a bowl and add 1 tablespoon of honey. Mash and mix up the two ingredients thoroughly with a fork. Add the lemon juice and mix again. Your papaya and honey face mask is ready! Easy, wasn’t it?
Coffee and coconut oil for sensitive and mature skin
This coffee scrub doubles as an exfoliating face mask and is great for oily skin as the coffee in it exfoliates and the coconut oil moisturizes.
- 1 tbsp coffee grounds
- 1 tbsp coconut oil (or olive, jojoba, argan, or almond)
Combine 1 tbsp of coffee with 1 tbsp of coconut oil until completely combined. Use this mix in circular motions on your face. Leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse well.
Baking soda homemade scrub
Baking soda is not just for baking or eliminating odors. Baking soda can be used in facial washes, scrubs, and masks to exfoliate and cleanse gently.
Baking soda acts like at-home microdermabrasion for all skin types. This inexpensive ingredient also absorbs excess oil, so it’s especially helpful for oily skin.
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp warm water
Use your finger to stir the baking soda and water until you get a thin paste, then apply to your wet face with your fingers, rubbing in small circular motions. Be sure to keep it away from your eyes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water until all of the cleansers are removed. Pat your face dry with a clean towel.
Lemon and honey natural scrub for the face
This DIY Lemon Scrub scrub is so fabulous, you guys! I love what it’s done to my skin!
Lemons are high in polyphenols and vitamin C, which have been shown to have lipid-lowering effects. They also contain water-soluble antioxidants that help fight free radicals in the body.
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- juice from ½ lemon
- ½ cup sugar
Simply mix all 4 of these ingredients together and scrub gently with your fingers. Rinse with warm water when you’re done!
Flaxseed DIY facial scrub
Flaxseed is a superstar plant food that has long been considered a wonder for the human body. This homemade flaxseed facial scrub is SO great – it exfoliates and leaves skin glowing!
Ground flaxseed lends healthy omega fatty acids while exfoliating skin.
The natural oils in flaxseed help balance your skin’s natural oil production, and the antioxidants protect the skin from free radicals and sun damage while calming inflammation.
- 1 tsp ground flax seeds or flax meal
- 1 tbsp carrier ingredient (yogurt, oil, honey)
Mix well with a mortar and pestle, then remove with warm water.
Coconut oil and strawberry face scrub
This is one of my favorite recipes for the hot summer months. The coconut oil, white sugar, and strawberry face exfoliator will keep your skin youthful and clear while helping you get rid of acne scars and blemishes faster.
- 6 big strawberries, cut into cubes
- 1 Tbsp white sugar
- 1 Tbsp honey
- ½ Tbsp coconut oil
- 3 Tbsp lemon juice
Take the cleaned fresh strawberries and smash them with a fork or pastry blender. Next, mix the white sugar, lemon juice, honey, and coconut oil until completely combined. Then, proceed to apply this vitamin-C-enriched recipe to your face and neck!
Sea salt and coconut oil homemade face scrub
For those looking for clear and glowing skin, a DIY face scrub with a salt base is one of the best options. Salt is a natural cleanser that will help flush away dead cells and skin toxins while improving the appearance of acne scars and skin marks and unclogging pores.
- ½ cup sea salt
- 3 Tbsp coconut oil
- Lemon zest
- Juice of a half lemon
Mix all the ingredients together in a food processor until it becomes a paste.
Sugar cookie DIY face scrub
The body scrub contains shea butter and coconut oil to help soften, hydrate, and replenish your skin. And the decadent sugar cookie scent will bring the holiday spirit to your skin care.
- 1 cup granulated (white) sugar
- 2 Tbsp refined shea butter
- 2 Tbsp coconut oil
- 30 drops of botanical vanilla extract (or vanilla absolute)
- 15 drops of tonka bean absolute
- 6 drops copaiba oleoresin
- 4 drops butter CO2 extract (optional)
- 3 drops Peru balsam essential oil
Melt the shea butter in a warm bath until liquid. Add the fractionated coconut and the essential oils (if using). Mix until well combined. Fill the sugar into a large mixing bowl. Whisk to break up any clumps. Pour the oil base over the sugar and stir until well combined. If the scrub seems too dry, increase the amount of coconut oil. And if you find it too greasy, you can add in some cornstarch. Transfer the body scrub recipe into an airtight jar or storage container.
Peppermint mocha DIY face scrub
Who would have thought coffee grinds make a powerful, effective, natural exfoliator? Well, that is just what this peppermint mocha face scrub is. It complements the holiday festivities and makes a great gift for anyone on your Christmas list!
- 1/2 cup finely ground coffee
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup jojoba oil or similar carrier oil
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil, optional
Combine the dry ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Stir in jojoba and peppermint oil with a wooden spoon. Mix until well combined. Transfer to a shallow, airtight container for storage. To use the scrub, rinse your face with warm water, then massage the scrub into the skin using your fingertips. Rinse and pat dry.
Glowing skin face scrub
- 4 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp honey
- 5 drops vanilla extract
Add sugar to a bowl. Throw in the coconut oil, essential oil, and honey and mix them away. Apply the paste to your face by gently massaging it into your skin. Leave it on for 5 minutes before washing it off.
Avocado face scrub for dry skin
Thanks to all sorts of vitamins and minerals, avocado oil is helpful in soothing irritation and adding moisture back to the skin.
- 1 Tbsp Avocado oil
- 1 Tbsp Brown sugar
Measure the two ingredients into a small bowl, then mix them until the sugar is coated in oil.
You’ll want your skin to be clean and dry to reap the full benefits of this scrub, so start by removing any makeup. Then, use your usual facial cleanser to remove dirt. Pat your face dry with a towel.
It’s time to scrub! Use your fingertips to scoop up the mixture and apply it to your face. Work the sugar in small, gentle circles to exfoliate and remove dry skin. Don’t scrub too hard, though, or you’ll leave your skin feeling raw.
Oats and chocolate DIY facial scrub
Oats are the key addition to this amazing scrub that only needs four simple ingredients. Oats are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, and they are known for soothing and moisturizing the skin, providing relief from redness, and alleviating itching and rashes.
- ¼ tea cup cocoa powder
- 2 Tbsp yogurt
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1 Tbsp oats
In a blender or food processor, pulse the oats until they are finely ground. Mix the ground oats with the yogurt, then add the honey and the cocoa powder until they paste. Gently rub the Face Scrub into your face, wait 20 minutes, rinse off carefully, and store any leftovers in an airtight container for later. I always put the container in the fridge, where it will last longer and have a wonderful cooling feeling with application.
Mint leaves face scrub to wake up the skin
This homemade scrub will help refresh your skin while significantly reducing puffiness and inflammation. After using it, you and your skin will feel completely revitalized and awake. It’s an amazing recipe to use after a night out or a full day of drinking. The mint smell and the cucumber vitamins will help alleviate tension or headaches and detoxify your face’s skin cells.
- ½ cucumber.
- Mint leaves.
- Coconut Oil.
- 1 ½ teaspoon of organic white or cane sugar
In a food processor or blender, mix the sliced cucumber, the mint leaves, and the coconut oil until everything is completely mixed. Take the mixture and set it aside. Add the white sugar and stir the paste until it is evenly combined. Transfer the finished Mint face scrub to a glass jar for fridge storage, or apply directly onto your face.
Tips for using natural scrubs for the face
Use before bed: Before bed is the best time for a good exfoliator. When you sleep, your skin absorbs your skincare products better.
Clean your face first: Use a natural face cleanser to remove dirtiness, surface oil, or makeup. Your skin shouldn’t be dry to use a facial scrub.
Be gentle: Facial exfoliants gently lift off dead skin cells without irritating healthy skin. Facial scrubs typically use finer ingredients not to scratch, irritate or damage the tissues. If your face burns or is red, you are being too aggressive.
Apply in circles: Apply your scrub gently using circle movements, avoiding the eye area.
More DIY Sugar Scrub Recipes
4 Easy Sugar Scrub Recipes
Anti-Cellulite Coffee Scrub
Heart-Shaped Sugar Scrub Bars
When Should I Exfoliate?
While facial exfoliation has many benefits, you don’t want to over-exfoliate your skin.
If you have oily skin, it’s probably safe to exfoliate up to three times a week. If you have sensitive, acne-prone, or dry skin, once or twice a week is sufficient.
Do I exfoliate before or after cleansing?
If you’ve ever wondered what comes first, cleansing or exfoliating, know that the confusion is understandable: though the two go hand in hand—you should always cleanse before exfoliating.
Do you moisturize after exfoliating?
After every exfoliating session (scrub or peel), it’s so important to moisturize. This hydrates and heals the skin—after all, it went through a lot.
Is a Sugar Scrub Good for Your Face?
Brown sugar is an inexpensive and accessible ingredient that does a great job of exfoliating your skin. Brown sugar is gentler on the skin than sea salt or Epsom salt. … The sugar granules might make your skin sticky, so rinse thoroughly after exfoliating.
As with any scrub, it’s possible that you could have an allergic reaction to one or more ingredients. Before applying an ingredient to your face, apply a small test patch to the inside of your elbow. If your skin doesn’t react to the ingredient, using it on your face is probably safe.
It’s best to avoid exfoliating if you have sunburned, chapped, or reddened skin. If you have areas of broken skin, like a cut or an irritated acne blemish, avoid using the scrub on these areas.