DIY Coconut Body Scrub to Moisturize, Brighten, and Protect Your Skin
Nov 03, 2022, Updated Jun 16, 2023
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Have you ever tried making your own Coconut Body Scrub?
Is your skin starting to feel dry too?
Although itโs exciting to see the first snowfall and make new family memories in the kitchen, wintertime can be hard โ especially on your skin.
Whether youโve got dry knees and elbows or your skin looks a little dull, weโve got some exciting news for you!
Youโll love our coconut body scrub recipe that you can make at home to exfoliate and moisturize your skin. And you probably already have most, if not all, of the ingredients to make it.
Add a few simple, whole ingredients to your food processor โ or whisk in a bowl โ and youโre on your way to bright and dewy skin โ even during the winter months.
This coconut body scrub recipe doubles as a quick at-home spa treatment for you and a thoughtful gift for family, workmates, and teachers.
Letโs give dry skin the boot!
What Is Coconut Body Scrub Good For?
Sugar scrubs are a natural and gentle way to exfoliate โ perfect for sensitive and dry skin. Life can get pretty hectic, but exfoliating is an essential skincare step you shouldnโt skip.
Exfoliating rids your skin of dead skin cells and cleans your pores at the same time. That means your skin is better able to absorb moisturizers and gives your skin a dewy glow.
Remember that the skin on your face is more delicate than the rest of your body. The sugar in scrubs can be harsh on your face causing redness, irritation, or worse, more dry skin. Use coconut scrub for your body a few times a week for the best results.
Where Does Coconut Sugar Come From?
Despite its name, coconut sugar doesnโt come from coconuts. Instead, itโs from sap that the flower buds on coconut trees produce. The flowers get cut off, and the sap is extracted. Then itโs heated up until most of the water evaporates and what you have left isโฆcoconut sugar.
Do You Use Liquid or Solid Coconut Oil for Sugar Scrub?
You can use liquid or solid. Liquid coconut oil is easier to mix with the other ingredients just be sure to let it sit in the fridge for about 30 minutes to harden a bit. Solid coconut oil works as well but it will be more difficult to mix it. let the coconut oil sit out at room temperature for the perfect consistency for mixing so it’s ready to use right away.
Creamy Coconut Body Scrub Tips
Soften coconut oil.
During the cooler months, your coconut oil will probably become solid while itโs in the jar. Put your coconut oil in a warm spot to get soft but not melted. It should be soft enough to easily mix in the other ingredients, like a loose cookie dough texture.
Mix until combined.
The heat and friction from the food processor can warm up the coconut oil if you mix it too long. Overmixing causes the coconut oil to melt to a liquid causing the scrub to separate. If this happens, itโs ok! Itโs an easy fix. Use a spoon to stir the ingredients together and place it in the fridge for about 15 minutes to harden back up.
How Do You Make Coconut Scrub?
Step 1
Zest 2 grapefruits in a bowl and set aside.
Step 2
Add coconut sugar and softened coconut oil to a food processor, and mix until smooth.
Step 3
Add mint, grapefruit zest, and essential oil (if using) to the food processor and mix until combined.
Step 4
Transfer your scrub to a glass jar and use it to hydrate your skin.
Coconut Body Scrub Ingredients
- 1 cup coconut sugar
- ยฝ cup coconut oil, softened but not melted
- 10-12 fresh mint leaves, chopped (1-2 Tbsp dried mint)
- 2 large grapefruits, zested
- 5-6 drops of grapefruit essential oil (optional)
Coconut Sugar
Different types of sugar are more or less coarse. We love using coconut sugar in coconut scrub for two reasons.
First, itโs less refined than other sugars, so it still has small amounts of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Even though you aren’t eating it (or maybe you are, itโs edible), your skin can still absorb all that good stuff.
Second, coconut sugar has a similar coarseness as brown sugar โ which is the least abrasive โ making it more gentle on the skin.
Coconut Oil
Looking for hydrated, smooth skin and decreased signs of aging? Coconut oil is your secret weapon. The sugar gets all the dirt and dead skin off your face, so the coconut oil can work its magic. After exfoliation, itโs easier for your skin to absorb the fatty acids from coconut oil that are believed to have antimicrobial qualities.
Coconut oil has many benefits. It helps your skin fight acne, protect itself from bacteria, and stay hydrated.
Mint
In addition to its refreshing taste and smell, mint soothes the skin. With anti-inflammatory properties, it can help soothe mosquito bites and other skin irritations. It also conditions and naturally tones skin. Add fresh mint to your coconut scrub for a cooling sensation that closes your pores and keeps your skin hydrated all winter.
Grapefruits
Vitamin C in grapefruit helps your body develop more hyaluronic acid. That natural acid is beneficial because it helps your skin stretch and flex for less noticeable fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps wounds heal faster and reduces scarring.
When youโre out in the sun, you expose your skin to free radicals, possibly causing tissue damage. Vitamin C helps clear your skin of those free radicals, reducing signs of aging.
Related: Health Benefits of Citrus
How to Store
Keep your sugar scrub in anything with a lid on it. Glass mason jars are easy to find and affordable. Feel free to get as creative as you want with the storage containers for your scrub.
Coconut scrub doesnโt need to be refrigerated, so keep it in a cool place like the bathroom cabinet, and it will keep for months.
If you decide to store your scrub in the shower, itโs possible for the heat from the shower to warm up the coconut oil, causing it to separate. Remember that itโs no biggie; use your finger to stir it, and you should be good to go.
How to Apply
Let warm water run on your skin to help soften any dead skin. Put a small amount of coconut scrub on your fingertips and gently rub it into your skin in small circular motions for no longer than 30 seconds. Then rinse thoroughly with warm water. Depending on your skinโs sensitivity, use your scrub one to three times a week.
More Produce DIY Ideas
- Lemon Foot Scrub – for smooth, soft feet
- Cucumber Eye Pads – reduce dark circles right at home
- Banana Shoe Shine – easy shoe shine hack that you’ll love
- Celery Face Mask – a veggie powerhouse that’s great for your skin
Homemade Coconut Scrub
Equipment
- Food processor
- Citrus zester
Ingredients
- 1 cup coconut sugar
- 1/2 cup coconut oil softened but not melted
- 10-12 fresh mint leaves chopped (1-2 Tbsp dried mint)
- 2 large grapefruits zested
- 5-6 drops grapefruit essential oil (optional)
Instructions
- Set the coconut oil in a warm spot – near a stove or oven – until it's softened but not melted. Look for the same consistency as room-temperature butter before baking.
- Add the sugar and coconut oil to the food processor and blend until it's smooth and creamy, like loose cookie dough.
- Add the mint, grapefruit zest, and essential oil (if using) and blend again until the ingredients are evenly mixed.
- Transfer your scrub to a glass jar with a lid for easy storage. Use when your skin needs a little pick me up.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.