Last Updated on June 1, 2025 by Nico
Using only 4 ingredients and ready in under 5 minutes, this vanilla coconut sugar scrub will leave your skin soft and glowing this summer. It is rich in antioxidants and uses only all-natural ingredients.
Making your own all-natural sugar scrubs at home is a no-brainer. It gives you the power to choose what you (literally) scrub onto your skin and what you do not.
While store-bought sugar scrub usually come packed with unpronounceable chemicals, homemade scrubs can be made with simple and all-natural ingredients.
(The same thing goes for room and linen sprays – try this natural DIY eucalyptus linen spray.)
With only four ingredients and five minutes, you can whip up a batch of this all-natural vanilla coconut sugar scrub that will last throughout the summer.
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This vanilla coconut sugar scrub is packed with antioxidants and healthy oils.
Coconut Oil – coconut oil has antimicrobial properties. This means that it may be helpful in fighting against infections that are caused by bacteria such as acne.
Coconut oil has also been show to have anti-inflammatory properties. This means that is can potentially be helpful in reducing inflammation when applied to your skin.
Vanilla And Vanilla Bean – vanilla is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants can help to prevent skin damage cause by free radicals. Vanilla is also high in B-vitamins, which are important to maintaining healthy skin.
Ingredients
Coconut Oil
Coconut Sugar
Vanilla
Vanilla Bean
For complete measurements, see the printable recipe card below.
Tools You Will Need
Mixing Bowl
Airtight Storage Container
Sharp knife
Instructions
Using your hands, combine coconut oil and coconut sugar.
Add in vanilla.
Use a sharp to cut open the vanilla bean.
Pop out the beans and add them to the sugar scrub mixture.
Mix until well combined.
Add mixture to air-tight container.
Expert Tips
Coconut Oil Tip – While coconut oil is a natural and healthy oil option for body scrubs, the downside to using it is that it melts if it becomes too warm. This can make the sugar scrub runny – like in the below photo. If this happens, just dip your finger into the scrub and mix the oil back into the sugar.
Storage Tip – Because coconut oil will melt if it’s kept in a warm environment, it’s best to store homemade sugar scrubs outside of the shower. Consider storing it in a bathroom cupboard for example.
Preservation Tip – If water gets into the scrub, it will dilute or even dissolve the sugar. It’s best to apply the scrub before you turn on the shower, close the sugar scrub container, and then turn on the water.
How To Use It
For exfoliation – apply the sugar scrub before turning on the shower or getting into the bath. Use a large amount and apply to your body. It’s best to avoid your face as this sugar scrub is too coarse for faces.
Turn on warm water and rinse.
For moisturising – apply the sugar scrub just before you finish showering (do your best to avoid getting water into your sugar scrub container). Scrub it into your body and then rinse. Make sure to pat dry to not wipe away the moisturising coconut oil.
Variation Ideas
Breezy relaxation – add 5-6 drops of lavender essential oil
Awake Blend – swap out the vanilla and vanilla bean for the zest of one orange and the juice of ½ of an orange
Cozy Blend – add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the vanilla and coconut sugar scrub mixture
FAQ
It should last about 6 months. To help the sugar scrub last longer, it’s important to keep the mixture dry and avoid getting water into the storage container.
The ingredients in this recipe should not be irritant to your face. But it’s important to be very gentle and not ‘scrub’ the mixture onto your face. The skin on your face is delicate and so generally I avoid using sugar scrubs on my face.
You can apply this sugar scrub to your lips. There’s no need to make a special scrub for your lips. But again it’s important to be gentle when applying it.
Coconut oil solidifies at 78 degrees Fahrenheit or about 25 degrees Celsius. If your sugar scrub is hard, it’s possible that the coconut oil has simply solidified. To remedy, pull out however much you would like to use. Once you begin to apply it to your body, the warmth from your hands will soften the coconut oil and scrub again.
It’s best to keep excess moisture out of your homemade sugar scrub. For this reason, you can store the mixture in an air-tight container near to your bath or shower. Avoid storing it directly in the bath or shower.
What to read next
Mango Butter vs Shea Butter – which is better?
Quick Lip Balm Shea Butter Recipe (Only 2 Ingredients)
Herbal Non-Greasy Whipped Shea Butter Recipe
Simple DIY Calendula Lip Balm Recipe
Natural DIY Eucalyptus Linen Spray Recipe
Simple Body Butter Recipe With Beeswax
If you make this recipe and enjoy it, please consider giving it 5 stars. Find me on Instagram @documentingsimpleliving and show me what you’ve made!
All-Natural Vanilla Coconut Sugar Scrub
Equipment
- Bowl
- Wooden Spoon
- Airtight Container
Materials
- 1 Cup Coconut Sugar
- ½ Cup Coconut Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Vanilla
- Vanilla Bean
Instructions
- Using your hands, combine coconut oil and coconut sugar.
- Add in vanilla.
- Use a sharp to cut open the vanilla bean.
- Pop out the beans and add them to the sugar scrub mixture.
- Mix until well combined.
- Add mixture to air-tight container.
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