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Make our simple lemon lavender sugar scrub recipe in minutes for super soft skin from head to toe! 

Spring has arrived and it has our family spending every hour possible outdoors following a long Midwest winter. We’ve been cleaning up fallen branches, trimming trees and bushes, and preparing the garden for this year. 

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While all the tree branches resulted in s’mores shared around our fire pit, the outdoor work has left my hands feeling worn and dry (not to mention the dirt under my nails… eww).  I knew it was time to whip up a batch of my mother’s favorite lemon lavender sugar scrub recipe. My sister and I created it several years ago to restore our hands after gardening. It was published in our Bittersweet Walnut Grove book series!  

It’s just the thing you need if you’ve been working in the garden too! Not only will this homemade sugar scrub clear away the dirt under your nails, but it will also exfoliate and moisturize quickly for noticeably super soft skin. And it’s not just for your hands – this easy sugar scrub recipe can be applied anywhere to smooth and hydrate dry, rough skin. Don’t miss my tips on how to use a sugar scrub in five different areas for head to toe softness after the recipe. 

This sweet, refreshing lemon lavender sugar scrub recipe is designed to gently exfoliate, deeply nourish, and rejuvenate the skin. Whip up a batch now and you’ll have your skin feeling silky smooth in just minutes!

Sugar Scrub vs Salt Scrub: Which is best salt or sugar?

Over the years the question of which is best salt or sugar for making scrubs has come up many times. So, let me address that here –

SALT 

Salt is commonly used to exfoliate the skin. But, salt granules are relatively sharp and are best reserved for really rough areas. Think – heels, bottoms of your feet, or elbows for some. I use it for extra exfoliating power in my DIY salt glow

Sea salt is one of the best types of salt for making scrubs. It contains many minerals that actually pull toxins away from the body. And in a salt scrub, it aggressively removes dead skin cells to reveal softer skin underneath. 

However, if you have any nicks, cuts, or abrasions on your skin salt will sting! And if you’ve been doing anything in the garden – it’s likely you do too. 

SUGAR

Sugar on the other hand never stings and is safe for use on even sensitive skin. It’s an excellent option for exfoliating anywhere on the body! With sugars softer, smaller granules it’s gentle enough for our face and lips. 

So, which one is the right one to use? Both will naturally exfoliate and polish your skin for a smoother appearance. But, if you’re looking for all-purpose scrub you can use anywhere – sugar is the way to go. 

Related To: HOW TO USE KONJAC SPONGE TO EXFOLIATE 

Related To: MY 4 STEP NIGHTLY SKINCARE ROUTINE

What is the best sugar to use for sugar scrubs?

There are many types of sugar to choose from when it comes to how to make a sugar scrub – so how do I choose one? I pick the type of sugar I use in scrub recipes based on what I want to use it for. 

For body scrubs, I make a brown sugar scrub recipe. Its granules are a bit larger and more coarse, so they do well to exfoliate the body. 

When making a sugar scrub recipe for lips or the face I use white granulated sugar. They’re smoother round shape is perfect for use on sensitive areas like your lips and face. 

Raw sugar is also known as turbinado sugar is the coarsest of all sugar. Its unrefined nature is great for use on the hands and feet. 

Nevertheless, if I’m making homemade sugar scrubs for gifts, I always go with white granulated sugar since it can be used anywhere on the body. 

How do you make homemade sugar scrub?

Homemade sugar scrubs can be just as moisturizing and exfoliating as any spa treatment with the right ingredients. For this sugar scrub recipe, I choose all-purpose white granulated sugar, antioxidant-rich unrefined coconut oil, skin-restoring vitamin E, fresh lemon, and skin-calming lavender buds and essential oil. Most of which can be found in your kitchen! 

All together this sweet, refreshing lemon lavender sugar scrub recipe is designed to gently exfoliate, deeply nourish, and rejuvenate the skin. Whip up a batch now and you’ll have your skin feeling silky smooth in just minutes! 

Homemade Lemon Lavender Sugar Scrub Recipe Ingredients:

How to make Lemon Lavender Sugar Scrub:

In a small bowl add 1/2 cup coconut oil, 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil, and 1 1/2 cups sugar. Using a fork blend and mash ingredients together until a scrub forms. Add 8 drops of lavender essential oil to the sugar scrub and stir to incorporate.

Next, zest the lemon rind until only white it remaining on the outside of the lemon. Add the zest to the sugar scrub mixture.

Roll the lemon firmly on a cutting board to burst the juice capsules. Cut the lemon in half and squeeze over the mixture. Stir to combine.

Next, add 1 teaspoon of lavender buds and use a fork to blend and mash once more.

Scoop into an airtight jar and store in the refrigerator for no more than 1 month.

Would You Like a Printable Sugar Scrub Recipe?

Whip up a batch of this easy lemon lavender sugar scrub recipe in your kitchen and you’ll have your skin feeling silky smooth in minutes!

Lemon Lavender Sugar Scrub Recipe

Yield: 2 4-ounce sugar scrubs
Active Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Whip up a batch of this easy lemon lavender sugar scrub recipe in your kitchen and you’ll have your skin feeling silky smooth in minutes!

Materials

  • 2 4-ounce mason jars (or another airtight container)
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
  • 8 drops lavender essential oil
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 teaspoon lavender buds

Instructions

    1. In a small bowl add 1/2 cup coconut oil, 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil, and 1 1/2 cups sugar. Using a fork blend and mash ingredients together until a scrub forms.
    2. Add 8 drops of lavender essential oil to the sugar scrub and stir to incorporate.
    3. Next, zest the lemon rind until only white it remaining on the outside of the lemon. Add the zest to the sugar scrub mixture.
    4. Roll the lemon firmly on a cutting board to burst the juice capsules. Cut the lemon in half and squeeze over the mixture. Stir to combine.
    5. Next, add 1 teaspoon of lavender buds and use a fork to blend and mash once more.
    6. Scoop into an airtight jar and store in the refrigerator for no more than 1 month.

    Notes

    This easy lemon lavender sugar scrub recipe makes the best gift! It's so pretty and so fun to receive for Mother's Day, Teacher Appreciation, or any occasion.

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    Here’s how to use a sugar scrub in five different areas for super soft skin:

    If you’ve ever experienced a scrub at the spa, then you know just how incredible your skin feels after. With this sugar scrub recipe, you can bring the spa experience home to exfoliate five different areas of your body. 

    Here’s how – 

    1. Exfoliate Your Hands:

    To exfoliate your hands scoop a small amount of this lemon lavender sugar scrub into one hand. Then massage in a circular motion on the top of your hands, inside your palms, and in between fingers. Rinse with cool to warm water. 

    2. How To Use A Scrub on Your Face:

    If you’ve kept up with your nightly skincare routine and your skin still feels dull, a face scrub may be just what you’re missing. Whether you have dry skin, combination skin, or oily skin, exfoliation is a necessary part of skincare. 

    What's Your Skin Type? Take our Quiz!

    Do you have normal, dry, mature, oily, or combination skin? Take our Skin Type Quiz now to discover yours!

    Use these steps to exfoliate your face, helping you maintain a beautiful complexion: After cleansing your face, pat dry and apply a small amount of scrub with your fingertips or a beauty spatula. Gently massage in your skin, avoiding the eye area. Rinse completely with cool to warm water. Apply a light moisturizer like the glow serum I share in my summer skincare routine. 

    3. Exfoliate Your Lips:

    You can use this sugar scrub recipe for lips too! Apply about a nickel-size amount of scrub to dry lips. Using wet fingers, gently massage the scrub over your lips in circular motions. Gently wipe clean with a damp warm washcloth and pat dry. To lock in that super-soft feeling apply a coat of homemade lip balm. And if it’s plump, pouty lips you’re after check out my cinnamon DIY lip plumper.

    4. How to Exfoliate Your Feet:

    To exfoliate the layers of dry skin on your feet start by soaking your feet first for 10 minutes. Choose from any of our bath soak recipes to soften the skin considerably before exfoliating. After soaking, scoop a tablespoon of sugar scrub into your hands and massage it into your feet. Focus on the worst areas most such as your heels. Don’t be afraid to vigorously massage this scrub into your feet for several minutes. 

    If your heels haven’t seen the light of day for some time, consider wrapping each foot with a warm hand towel after massaging to soak up the benefits for 5 to 10 minutes before placing them back in the water to rinse. 

    Apply a heavy moisturizer like my lavender whipped body butter after. Pop a pair of socks in the microwave for 30 seconds and slip them on for incredibly soft feet. 

    5. Exfoliating Your Body

    When it comes exfoliating the body for soft skin all over, the best place to do it is in the shower. I like to slip on an exfoliating body glove to keep my hand and nails from getting over-exfoliated. Start with dry or damp clean skin. Scoop a tablespoon at a time into your body glove and gently rub it into your skin in circular motions to remove dead skin cells. 

    Give more attention to areas that are prone to dryness like your knees, elbows, or back of the arms. And don’t skip your back. Exfoliating is a great remedy for back acne by the way…

    After scrubbing from your neck down, step into the shower spray and let the water run down your body. Skip your regular body wash and apply a heavy moisturizer like the whipped butter I mentioned above while your skin is still damp. 

    Not just for your hands - this easy sugar scrub recipe can be applied anywhere to smooth and hydrate dry, rough skin. Don’t miss my tips on how to use a sugar scrub in five different areas for head to toe softness!

    How Often Should You Use a Sugar Scrub?

    While exfoliation is essential to skincare, how often you should exfoliate varies from person to person. Some skin types can only handle exfoliating once a week, while others are able to exfoliate a few times per week. Simply pay attention to how your skin responds in each area after exfoliating to help determine what’s best for you and your skin. 

    I know you’ll love this lemon lavender sugar scrub recipe when you try it.  I love how it makes the best gift! It’s so pretty and so fun to receive for Mother’s Day, Teacher Appreciation, or any occasion. Tell me have you made a sugar scrub before? Leave me a comment or Tag #lifenreflection on Instagram to share yours! Pin this sugar scrub recipe and these tips on how to use a sugar scrub in five areas for super soft skin now!

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