The Best DIY Face Scrub Recipes

From a young age, my mom and my grandma taught me the importance of using organic and natural products to get healthy and glowing skin. One of the most important things for healthy skin is exfoliating (with the right products) to get that glowing look that we all love!

There are many great exfoliants out there, but nothing quite compares to gathering the ingredients yourself and making your own DIY face scrubs, free of unfamiliar and damaging synthetic ingredients. You’ll have full control to make one that works perfectly for your personal skin needs: hydrating your skin, combating acne, fighting those clogged pores, and more!

DIY Face scrubs

So today, I’m sharing some of the Best DIY Face scrubs that you’ll be able to make with ingredients you probably already have at home. First, let’s talk some more about exfoliating!

When should I exfoliate?

The answer to this all depends on your type of skin, your daily routine, and the benefits that you see when you try exfoliating. I personally do it every other day since I have oily skin, but if your skin is dry or normal I would recommend doing it once or twice a week to start.

Regardless of your skin type, definitely avoid exfoliating if you have open wounds, sores, or cuts on your skin. Exfoliating will irritate the wound and prolong the healing process, possibly resulting in scarring that may be permanent.

If you have sensitive skin, make sure you do the following:

Always wash your hands before exfoliating and make sure you use clean brushes and other products.
Don’t over scrub or use any products that you’ve never tested before. These can irritate your skin, cause a bad allergic reaction, or make your skin more vulnerable to infection by different types of bacteria.

Can I use a face scrub product on my body and vice versa?

These DIY Face Scrubs can be used on both the face and the body. They are mostly designed for the face, but they’ll work perfectly for the body as well!

However, if you're purchasing your exfoliating products, you shouldn't use the ones designed for your body on your face. The skin on your face is more delicate than the rest of your body, and using products meant for your body on your face can result in irritation, redness and other bad reactions. This is especially true for products with fragrance, which can often be very irritating for your face.

How do I know if I’m having a bad reaction?

Some of the symptoms you might experience include a burning sensation, persistent redness after using the product, or increased sun sensitivity.

If you experience any of that (or anything else that you consider to be an adverse symptom) make sure to thoroughly wash the leftover product from your skin using room temperature water and avoid using that or any other products on your skin until the irritation fully clears. It’s very important to let your skin fully recover after an experience like this!

What to do after I exfoliate my face?

Exfoliating helps to remove dirt, dead skin cells, sebum, and other types of buildup, revealing a healthier and glowing skin. But as important as it is to exfoliate your skin anywhere from 2 to 3 times a week, you also need to pay close attention to what you do to your skin right after the exfoliating process!

Once you've removed impurities and buildup, it's really important to moisturize, nurture, and protect your skin in order to help restore moisture loss and prevent persistent dryness.

Moisturizing right after exfoliating is a key step to hydrate your face and allow the newer skin to look healthier and alive.

Applying sunscreen is a must no matter what, but it’s especially important both right after exfoliating and the next day, when the skin is more sensitive and will need all the protection it can get from UV rays exposure. I always recommend applying sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, and reapplying it at least once through the day.

Lastly, if you are suffering from breakouts, blemishes, acne, or enlarged pores, be kind to yourself and let your skin breathe. Creating the right skin care routine (including exfoliating regularly) will help your skin tremendously, but it won't heal all skin conditions or deliver long term results overnight. So be patient, follow the above exfoliating steps, and love yourself no matter what!

The Best DIY Face Scrubs Recipes

These Homemade Face Scrubs can all be prepared either by mixing all of the ingredients together in a glass jar or blending them in a food processor or blender.

Brown Sugar Face Scrub for everyday use & all skin types

One of the most effective DIY Face Scrub ingredients that naturally exfoliates and works wonderfully for all types of skin is Brown sugar! It was actually the 1st face scrub recipe that I learned from my grandma, and today it’s still the one I use the most. This is especially true when I’m traveling and don't have access to many other fancy ingredients.

There are two ways to go about using it: One way is to mix the brown sugar with oil (Argan oil is my favorite, but you can use coconut oil, olive oil, almond oil etc) and the other way is to pair it with honey, lavender/rose or jasmine essential oil.

1 ½ teaspoon brown sugar (the finer, the better).
1 teaspoon honey (my favorite : Raw honey).
1 teaspoon of Argan, Coconut , Almond or Olive oil.
1 teaspoon of floral essential oils (peppermint, lavender, rose, jasmine etc).

Mix the ingredients together, and with your fingertips or an exfoliating sponge, apply the brown sugar scrub mix to your face. Using small circular motions, start exfoliating gently. Rinse carefully with warm water and let your face air dry. If there’s any residual honey, use a washcloth to cleanse thoroughly.

Oat and Almond Milk Face Scrub for dry and sensitive skin

This is a very gentle DIY Face Scrub perfect for those with dry skin. Oats are the key addition to this amazing scrub that only needs three 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.

½ cup old-fashioned oats (uncooked).
Almond Milk.
1 teaspoon of almond oil or honey.

In a blender or food processor, pulse the oats until they are finely ground. Take the ground oats and mix them with the almond milk, then add the almond oil/honey until it forms a paste. Gently rub the Face Scrub into your face, 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.

Note: Using regular milk instead of almond milk is also a great option, as the lactic acid of the milk works as a gentle chemical exfoliant!

Coffee & Coconut Oil Face Scrub for sensitive skin & preventing signs of aging

Another one of my grandma's favorite face scrubs is the DIY coffee scrub. Take the used coffee grounds from your morning brew and recycle them for this amazing recipe. It will leave your skin looking glowy and toned, thanks to the caffeine and antioxidant properties naturally found in the coffee.

1 tablespoon almond or coffee grounds .
1 tablespoon oil (coconut, olive, almond, jojoba or argan).

Add 1 tablespoon of oil to the used coffee grounds, mix, and gently rub the mixture in your skin. My mom has extra sensitive skin, and at times she felt the coffee grounds were a bit harsh for her face, so she switched the ground coffee for ground almonds. Try this combination if you have a very sensitive skin, or if you are trying to prevent signs of aging.

Almonds and Avocado Face Scrub for dry skin

This DIY face Scrub is perfect for dry skin, as it exfoliates and adds tons of glow to brighten up that tricky dull skin. I use it often, despite having relatively oily skin. Sometimes your skin is actually oily because it’s dry, believe it or not… It can be oily because your body is overcompensating for lack of moisture!

½ cup of Ground Almonds.
Coconut Oil (or Olive Oil, Argan Oil, jojoba oil).
Avocado.

Mix the first two ingredients in a glass container, and add the smashed avocado. Clean your face, apply this DIY face scrub, and massage gently before rinsing off thoroughly.

Ground rice & Aloe Vera Scrub for clearing up the skin and avoiding signs of age

For those days when your skin feels extra sensitive or irritated, use this ground rice and aloe vera scrub. This is one of my go-to scrubs in the summer, especially since Aloe vera is great for soothing sunburn skin. This will help keep your skin clear and healthy, reduce inflammation, lighten skin discolorations, and can even work to reduce wrinkles!

½ cup Ground Rice or natural grain powder
Aloe Vera.
Green tea leaves (optional).

To make ground rice, wash dry rice (any organic white rice from your closest supermarket works best), spread it over a dry kitchen towel, and let it air dry fully. Pulse it in a food processor, and store it in a glass airtight container until use.

For the Aloe Vera, take one whole Aloe leaf and cut the prickles off. Next, carefully cut the leaf in three pieces and start separating the skin from the leaf. Blend the gooey inside pieces with a touch of water, pour the mixture into a glass jar, and strain the liquid a couple of times to take out any large remaining chunks. Take the liquid and mix it with some oil (I prefer coconut), incorporate the ground rice, and you’re done!

Mint leaves & Cucumber Face Scrub For Refreshing The Skin And De-Puffing

This homemade scrub will help your skin feel refreshed while also 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 any tension or headaches, while also aiding to 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 together 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 storage in the fridge, or just apply directly onto your face.

Cocoa Butter & Sea Salt Scrub For Acne-Prone Skin and Clogged Pores

For those prone to acne and clogged pores, a DIY face scrub with a salt base is probably one of the best options. Salt is a natural cleanser that will help flush away dead cells and skin toxins while also aiding to improve the appearance of acne scars, improve skin marks, and unclog those pores.

My inspiration for this recipe came from my favorite chocolate and sea salt candy bar. If you love chocolate and sea salt as much as I do, you’ll feel as if you are eating your favorite candy bar every time you exfoliate your face with this awesome homemade scrub. I hope that makes you as happy as it makes me!

Note: Something to keep in mind is that salt can be a bit abrasive on the skin. Try using fine ground sea salt when possible, and avoid this recipe if you have extra sensitive skin.

1 ½ teaspoon of Sea salt (Himalaya Sea, Dead Sea…).
Cocoa Butter ( Coconut Oil alternatively).
Tad of Honey (optional).

Take the Sea Salt and softened cocoa butter and mix them together in a glass container until it becomes a paste. Alternatively you can use salt, melted cocoa butter, and a small bit of honey for your mixture.

Matcha & Blueberry Scrub For Waking Up The Skin

This is a great every day face scrub recipe that’s perfect to use 1st thing in the morning. It will help clear the skin and work to reduce redness and swelling.

⅓ cup of Frozen Blueberries.
½ teaspoon of fine white sugar.
½ Matcha Powder
Coconut Oil.

Take the blueberries, the white sugar, matcha powder, and coconut oil and pulse it all in a food processor until perfectly mixed into a smooth paste. Take the mixture, place it in a glass jar with a lid, and put it in the freezer for 5 minutes or until it has a granita consistency.

A key part of this homemade scrub is actually the temperature. As such, we are using frozen blueberries instead of fresh ones as well as chilling the mix before applying it. While you don't want this scrub to be icy or frozen, a granita consistency will help de-puff, revitalize the skin, and stimulate blood flow all while helping your morning skin look tighter.

Sunflower seeds, Coconut Oil & Ginger Homemade Scrub

This face scrub is another perfect option for those with sensitive skin. Ingredients found in this homemade scrub have anti-inflammatory properties, and will work together to help reduce redness. They are great for people suffering from any kind of skin discoloration.

½ cup Ground Sunflower Seeds.
2 tablespoons of fresh grated Ginger or Ginger powder .
Coconut Oil.

To grind sunflower seeds, take ½ cup of sunflower seeds and pour them into a food processor, coffee grinder or powerful blender. Grind the seeds for no more than 20 seconds.

To grate the ginger, use a cheese grater and shred the ginger on the smallest side. Next, mix the shredded ginger, the ground sunflower seeds, and coconut oil together in a small glass container and apply the mix to your face.

Papaya & Watermelon DIY Face Scrub

Looking for a DIY face scrub recipe that brightens and refreshes your skin? This papaya and watermelon homemade scrub is perfect for you! The mix of papaya and watermelon will leave your skin feeling softer, tighter, and more youthful. It will help clear clogged pores and dead skin cells that have built up on your face.

½ cup Ground Oats.
A few papaya chunks
A few watermelon chunks.
Honey.

To make ground oats, take a ½ cup of organic oats and pulse them in a food processor until finely ground. Next, take the papaya and watermelon and cut them into pieces before proceeding to blend them until smooth with an added dash of oat milk. Once blended, mix the ground oats with the papaya and watermelon juice, and add some honey before applying it in your face.

Coconut Oil & Strawberry Homemade Scrub

This is one of my favorite recipes to use during the summer months. The mix of coconut oil, white sugar, and strawberries will contribute to keep a youthful and clear skin while also helping you to get rid of acne scars and blemishes faster.

⅓ cup Strawberries.
½ teaspoon of fine white sugar.
Coconut Oil.

Take the cleaned fresh strawberries and smash them with a fork or pastry blender. Next, add the white sugar and the coconut oil and mix everything until completely combined. Then, proceed to apply this vitamin-C enriched recipe on to your face and neck!

Egg Whites, Honey & Baking Soda Homemade Scrub

This is another great recipe to remove dark spots, improve blemishes, and treat stubborn hyperpigmentation marks. The antibacterial properties of the honey, along with the mix of egg whites and baking soda, will help firm and tighten the skin.

1 Tablespoon of Baking Soda.

1 Egg white
Honey.

Take an egg and crack it evenly in half. Break the shell into two and transfer the yolk from one shell to the other several times, allowing the white to drip out and into a glass container. This white part is what you want for your scrub. Add the tablespoon of baking soda and the honey, and whisk it all together until evenly mixed.

Last but not least, I’ll be sharing two more of my favorite DIY Face Scrubs. These are the ones I have been using frequently for a while now, and I love the results I get from them!

Turmeric & Almond flour Homemade Scrub

This homemade scrub will help you remove skin impurities and dead skin. It will help soothe and hydrate your skin while also giving it an additional glow and evenness.

½ cup Almond flour.
½ teaspoon Chamomile powder
½ teaspoon Cinnamon powder
½ tablespoon Turmeric powder.
Honey
Almond Oil.

To prepare it, simply take a ½ cup of almonds and pulse them in a food processor until finely ground. Next, take a glass container and add the ground almonds or almond flour, the chamomile, cinnamon, and turmeric powder. Mix them all well before adding the almond oil and the honey to finish off the scrub.

Rose & White Tea DIY Facial Scrub

This recipe has incredible anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties. It’s a great night time scrub that will hydrate, rejuvenate, and recharge your skin after a long day!

1 Tablespoon of dried roses.
1 Tea Bag of white tea.
Honey
Almond Oil.

In a food processor, pulse the dried roses and the white tea to grind them for about 10 seconds. Next, put the powder in a glass container and mix it with the honey and almond oil. Apply this DIY homemade recipe to your face, and use your fingertips in a circular motion to scrub your skin well.

Alternatively, you can use a good exfoliating sponge and you’ll be ready to start with your exfoliating routine!

These are some of my favorite exfoliating sponges to use, especially after days of using a lot of makeup. They are safe for oily, dry, combination and sensitive skin. On makeup free days/weeks I always recommend the gentler option of using your fingertips!

And voila, these are my favorite DIY Face Scrub recipes for glowing skin! I hope you try them all out and love them as much as I do! And if you enjoyed this article, please pin it and save it for later so you can come back every time you want to prepare your own homemade face scrub. If you have some other great recipes or tips on how to make DIY face scrubs, please let us know in the comments!

Besitos,

Laura

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