9 DIY Homemade Face Scrub Recipes for Oily, Dry and Normal Skin

Did you know your skin sheds almost 30,000 to 40,000 dead skin cells every day?

Some of these cells tend to accumulate on the skin, dulling its appearance and plugging the pores; thus leading to breakouts. To give your skin a little extra TLC and like Rihanna says, ‘shine bright like a diamond’; you need to exfoliate your face on a regular basis.

While it is easier to sprint to a beauty store and grab that fancy little jar of sweet smelling scrub, you will come out of the store with your pocket feeling much lighter. You will also carry home with you a jar full of parabens, synthetic fragrances, and other questionable ingredients that can wreak havoc on your delicate face.

A better option would be to whip up your own DIY face scrubs with ingredients, right in your kitchen. Almost all DIY face scrub recipes use sugar as a scrub base as it is gentle on the skin. The other ingredients vary depending upon your skin type.

To give you a headstart, we have for you the three best DIY scrub recipes each for oily, dry and normal skin type. Scroll down to your skin type and choose the recipe that appeals to you the most.

# OILY SKIN

Method 1: Eucalyptus Soothing Scrub

Eucalyptus oil can be very refreshing when used in a facial scrub. It is a strong antibacterial oil that prevents acne flare-ups, a common problem faced by people with oily skin. Eucalyptus oil also helps increase blood circulation in the face and imparts a natural glow. The coconut oil also works as an antibacterial and moisturizes the skin without turning it oily.

Things you’ll need:

• Eucalyptus essential oil (antibacterial) – 4 drops
• Sugar (exfoliant) – 4 tablespoons
• Extra-virgin coconut oil (light moisturizer) – 2 tablespoons
• Food coloring (optional)

Step 1: Combine all the ingredients and mix well

• Take 4 tablespoons of sugar in a mixing bowl.
• Add to it 2 tablespoons of melted extra-virgin coconut oil.
• Add 4 drops of eucalyptus essential oil. You can also use mint essential oil in this recipe.
• Optionally, add 1 or 2 drops of green food coloring to make it more appealing.
• Mix all the ingredients thoroughly until the oils bind with the sugar granules.
• Transfer the mix to a beautiful earthen bowl and use it like a regular face scrub twice a week to manage oily skin.

The shelf life of this scrub is 1 to 2 months until the coconut oil doesn’t turn rancid. In case you can see any mold developing, discard the scrub and make a fresh batch.

Method 2: Lemon Refreshing Citrus Scrub

Nothing can beat lemon when it comes to controlling oily skin. Lemon juice helps cut through the sebum on your face and deeply cleanses the pores. It also works as an antibacterial agent to prevent acne. The lemon-scented liquid soap adds suds and cleanses the face.

Things you’ll need:

• Fresh lemon juice (reduces oiliness, antibacterial) – 2 teaspoons
• Sugar (exfoliating base) – 4 tablespoons
• Lemon-scented liquid soap (cleanses face) – ½ tablespoon

Step 1. Combine the three ingredients

• Take 4 tablespoons of sugar in a bowl.
• Add to it ½ a tablespoon of lemon-scented liquid soap.
• Add 2 teaspoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Step 2. Mix well and use the citrus scrub for oily face

• Transfer the scrub to an airtight container for storage.
• Use the scrub 2 to 3 times every week to give your face and body a refreshing citrus boost.

The shelf life of the scrub is 1 month.

Method 3: Baking Soda Scrub

Baking soda works well to neutralize the pH of your skin and thus control excessive oil secretion. It also works as a mild antibacterial to prevent any acne breakouts. Since, baking soda can leave your skin dry, which in turn can lead to more sebum formation, this homemade face scrub recipe uses extra-virgin coconut oil that helps to hydrate the skin. The lavender essential oil leaves a soothing effect on your face.

Things you’ll need:

• Baking soda (balances pH of skin) – 1/3 cup
• Extra-virgin coconut oil (hydrates skin) – 2 tablespoons
• Lavender essential oil (soothes skin) – 10 to 15 drops

Step 1. Combine the three ingredients

• Take 1/3 cup of baking soda in a container.
• Add to it 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin coconut oil.
• Add 10 to 15 drops of lavender essential oil.

Step 2. Mix well and use the scrub to exfoliate your face

• Use a spoon to mix the ingredients well, and transfer to a container for storage.
• Scoop out a small amount and scrub your face with it in small circular motions.
• Rinse your face with warm water and pat your skin dry.

Use this scrub 2 to 3 times a week to keep the oiliness of your face in check.

Caution: Always do a patch test before applying this scrub on your face as baking soda is slightly abrasive in nature.

# DRY SKIN

Method 1: Sugar Olive Exfoliating Scrub

Sugar is not only a gentle exfoliant but also works as a humectant to draw moisture to the skin. This homemade face scrub recipe uses a combination of both refined sugar and brown sugar that is much gentler on the delicate facial skin. In fact, you can also use sugar to make a homemade scrub for softer hands.

The olive oil contains fatty acids and antioxidants that further help hydrate and nourish dry skin. The lemon juice serves as an antibacterial agent and also helps lighten skin with regular use.

Things you’ll need:

• Lemon juice of ½ lemon (antibacterial)
• Refined Sugar (exfoliant) – 1 tablespoon
• Brown sugar (gentle exfoliant) – 2 tablespoons
• Olive oil (moisturizes skin) – 2 teaspoons
  

Step 1. Combine the four ingredients

• Take 2 tablespoons of brown sugar in a bowl.
• Add to it 1 tablespoon of refined sugar.
• Add 2 teaspoons of olive oil.
• Squeeze out the juice of ½ a lemon.

Step 2. Mix well and use the sugar scrub to reveal healthy skin

• Mix all the ingredients well. If needed, increase or decrease the quantities of the ingredients according to your preference to get the desired consistency.

Use the sugar scrub 2 to 3 times every week to make your skin soft and supple. The shelf life of this scrub is 1 to 2 months.

Method 2: Green Tea Scrub

Green tea has shown spectacular results when used in anti-aging scrubs and mask. It contains antioxidants that can help reverse skin damage and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Therefore, green tea can be used in a variety of ways to get beautiful hair and skin. This homemade face scrub recipe also uses aloe vera gel that acts as an antibacterial agent and replenishes the skin with essential amino acids.

The coconut oil deeply moisturizes the skin. The scrub also contains vitamin E that again helps repair skin and increases the shelf life of the scrub. The tea tree essential oil keeps breakouts and infection troubles at bay.

Things you’ll need:

• Vitamin E (repairs skin) – 3 to 4 drops
• Extra-virgin coconut oil (nourishes skin) – 1 tablespoon
• Sugar (exfoliant) – ¼ cup
• Aloe vera gel (antibacterial) – 1 tablespoon
• Green tea bags (reverse skin aging) – 2 bags
• Tea tree essential oil (antibacterial) – 2 to 3 drops

Step 1. Combine sugar, aloe vera gel, and coconut oil

• Take ¼ cup of sugar in a mixing bowl.
• Add to it 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel. You can use packaged aloe vera gel or learn how to extract your own here.
• Add 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin coconut oil.
  

Step 2. Add vitamin E, green tea, and tea tree essential oil; mix well and use

• Puncture a vitamin E capsule and squeeze out 3 to 4 drops of oil.
• Open 2 green tea bags and add their contents to the other ingredients.
• Add 3 to 4 drops of tea tree essential oil.
• Mix all the ingredients and use like your regular face scrub.

Exfoliating your face with this green tea scrub will improve the elasticity of your skin and reduce signs of aging. The shelf life of the scrub is 1 to 2 months.

Method 3: Rice Powder Scrub

Did you know a well-kept beauty secret? Rice powder, that’s right, is the reason behind the flawless skin and complexion of Asian beauties.

Rice powder can also be used as a face scrub to help whiten your face and reduce any spots and blemishes. This scrub also uses honey that deeply moisturizes the skin and keeps it supple.

Things you’ll need:

• Rice powder (whitens skin) – ¼ cup
• Sugar (exfoliant) – 2 tablespoons
• Honey (moisturizes skin) – 2 tablespoons

Step 1. Combine all the ingredients

• Put ¼ cup of rice powder in a bowl.
• Add to it 2 tablespoons each of sugar and honey.

Step 2. Mix well and use the scrub to whiten skin

• Using a spoon mix the ingredients thoroughly.
• Use the scrub like a regular face scrub to lighten your skin within a month. The shelf life of the scrub is 1 to 2 months.

# NORMAL SKIN

Method 1: Cucumber Mint Scrub

Even if you are blessed with a normal skin type, it does need regular exfoliation for a healthy skin turnover. This refreshing cucumber face scrub gives you just that. Cucumber has high water content along with replenishing vitamins and minerals that impart a healthy glow to your skin.

The coconut oil works as a moisturizer without turning the skin oily. The peppermint essential oil has a cooling and soothing effect on the tired skin.

Things you’ll need:

• Extra-virgin coconut oil (moisturizes skin) – 1 tablespoon
• Sugar (exfoliant) – 6 tablespoons
• Cucumber paste (hydrates skin) – 2 tablespoons
• Peppermint essential oil (soothes skin) – 4 to 5 drops

Step 1. Combine the four ingredients

• Put 6 tablespoons of sugar in a mixing bowl.
• Add to it 2 tablespoons of cucumber paste.
• Add 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin coconut oil.
• Add 4 to 5 drops of peppermint essential oil.

Step 2. Mix well and use this scrub on dull skin

• Mix well to blend all the ingredients.
• Store the scrub in the refrigerator to preserve it longer.

Use it 2 to 3 times weekly like your regular face scrub to maintain a healthy glow. The shelf life of this scrub is shorter, say 2 to 3 weeks, due to the presence of cucumber.

Method 2: Charcoal Salt Detox Scrub

Your skin accumulates dust, pollutants, and other impurities on a daily basis. This detoxing face mask uses activated charcoal that helps pull the embedded gunk out of your pores and leaves your skin refreshed. The sea salt used as the scrub base remineralizes the skin while the olive oil moisturizes the skin which may turn dry due to sea salts.

You can also add any essential oil of your choice for its therapeutic benefits and also to give the scrub a pleasing fragrance.

Things you’ll need:

• Sea salt (remineralizes skin) – ½ cup
• Olive oil (moisturizes skin) – 2 tablespoons
• Activated charcoal powder (detoxes skin) – 1 tablespoon
• Rose essential oil (for fragrance) –  3 to 4 drops

Step 1. Combine all the ingredients

• Put ½ cup of sea salt in a mixing bowl.
• Add to it 1 tablespoon of activated charcoal powder.
• Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 3 to 4 drops of rose essential oil. You can use any other essential oil as well.

Step 2. Mix well and use the detox scrub

• Using a spoon mix all the ingredients thoroughly.
• Use this detoxifying scrub once a week to keep your skin free of impurities.

The shelf life of this scrub is 3 to 4 months.

Method 3: Coffee Scrub

Apart from giving you your morning kick, buffing your face with a coffee-based scrub can also give a healthy boost to your skin. The antioxidants present in coffee support cell renewal for a firm and glowing face. The blend of refined sugar and brown sugar works as a mild exfoliant.

Sweet almond oil is rich in vitamin E that deeply nourishes skin. Adding lavender essential oil adds antimicrobial properties as well.

Things you’ll need:

• Sweet almond oil (moisturizes skin) – 2 tablespoons
• Refined sugar (scrub base) – 2 tablespoons
• Brown sugar (mild exfoliant) – 2 tablespoons
• Ground coffee (rich in antioxidants) – 2 tablespoons
• Lavender essential oil (antimicrobial) – 2 to 3 drops

Step 1. Combine coffee, sugar, and almond oil

• Put 2 tablespoons of brown sugar in a bowl.
• Add to it 2 tablespoons of refined sugar.
• Add 2 tablespoons of ground coffee and 2 tablespoons of sweet almond oil.

Step 2. Mix in the essential oil and use the scrub

• Add 2 to 3 drops of lavender essential oil to the ingredients.
• Use a spoon to blend all the ingredients well.
• Scrub your face with the mix twice a week for 30 seconds then rinse it with warm water.

The shelf life of this coffee face scrub is 1 to 2 months.

Tips

• To increase the shelf life of your DIY face scrubs, avoid any water from getting into the jars you have stored your scrub in. Use a spoon to scoop out the scrub for use.
• Always use a toner after exfoliating your face. This helps neutralize the pH of your skin. You can either use rose water as a toner or make a DIY face toner according to your skin type.
• Do not use face scrubs more than thrice a week as it could lead to broken skin. Ideally speaking, use it twice a week to maintain a healthy skin.
• If your scrubs start smelling off or you spot any mold developing, discard the scrub immediately and prepare a fresh batch.
• Lemon can turn your skin photosensitive. If you are using a scrub that contains lemon, preferably use it at bedtime.