Everyone could use a little pampering every now and then, and I love having my homemade vanilla coconut sugar scrub ready at my sink for a quick spa fix anytime I need it.
Sugar scrubs are quite easy to mix up at home. And the scent of this one below reminds me of my spa day at sea on a cruise. The subtle hint of coconut and the comforting aroma of vanilla are quite heavenly.
The reason I love sugar scrubs is that they’re great at exfoliating while the little bit of oil is a good moisturizer. I keep a little jar of this vanilla coconut sugar scrub right by my bathroom sink to use on my hands, elbows, and even my lips (it tastes yummy!).
However, I would not recommend using this on your body as the coconut oil is a bit too heavy and might leave you feeling a bit greasy. But it is divine for using to smooth and soften your lips and hands.
The recipe I have below makes a pretty big batch, so I’ll typically store them in small mason jars to have as ready-made gifts. That way both you and your family and friends can enjoy a little spa time at home.
You can use these little jars of scrubs for stocking-stuffers, easy DIY gifts for teachers or your salon stylist, even for baby showers and weekend brunches too.
Vanilla Coconut Sugar Scrub Recipe
Making sugar scrubs for gifts? For variety, you might also like our Rose Water Sugar Scrub Recipe, Honey Lavender Sugar Scrub Recipe, or our Green Tea Mint Sugar Scrub.
Vanilla Coconut Sugar Scrub
Ingredients
- 3 Cups Sugar
- 1 Cup Coconut Oil
- 2-3 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- 6 4 ounce glass jars
Instructions
- Coconut oil is typically solid at room temperature, so add the coconut oil to a microwave safe glass and heat in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Just enough that it liquifies, but doesn’t heat up.
- Next, pour the sugar, coconut oil, and vanilla extract in a large glass bowl and mix well.
- Spoon the sugar scrub into glass mason jars, decorate with colorful twine or ribbon, and add a label with the list of ingredients and made-on date.
- Give as gifts or enjoy on your own!
This post was created for Away We Go with Carnival, the destination for getting in the getaway state of mind.
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Does this smells coconut oil or vanilla. I must try this I guess, but I can’t make that much, it’s too many.
Vanilla
You could split the recipe and use
1 cup sugar
⅓ cup coconut oil
Around 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
But when I make it I use a couple drops of lavender oil and it doesn’t smell like coconut
Ratio would be awesome!
Great recipe for a sugar scrub, my teenage daughter loves to make these!
Some days ago i felt that my skin is becoming dry or rough also dark as a black.I was finding Homemade scrub on net but no on was suitable for my skin.At last i applied Vanilla Coconut Sugar Scrub it really works and remove all dead skin.I appreciate to your post & Thanks.
Does the white sugar melt if left out on the counter? I made sugar lip scrub but I had a little honey it and left it oyt but it seems that it melted the sugar a little in it. I used regular white sugar.
I don’t think it would melt at room temperature, but the honey might have dissolved it some.
I just tried this recipe and loved it! Thank you for a great scrub that is easy to make and use and it smells heavenly
So glad you enjoyed it! It’s one of my favorites. I always have a little jar by the kitchen sink. 🙂
How long does it last in the glass jars?
I’ve kept it for as long as 3 to 4 months. I typically use it all up by then. 😉
What is the recipe? I can not find it.
3 cups sugar, 1 cup of coconut oil, 2-3 teaspoons of vanilla extract!
How long would this be good for until it expires?
Hi Cherri!
It depends on how it is stored. All the ingredients are pretty shelf stable and are usually safe in your kitchen pantry for 6 months. For the scrub, if it’s in a well sealed container, it should be fine. The only time problems arise is if water gets inside as then you can have mold.
Made this tonight for small gifts. What a great idea! My sons both thought it was weird that their hands were so soft afterwards. I made enough jars so that there is one for myself. It smells more coconut than vanilla but that’s okay! Super easy to make.
That’s cute that your boys thought it was weird that their hands were so soft. It’s great for elbows too! You could always try some other oils or extracts too, like a citrus essential oil, to get a different scent. Enjoy!
Could I subistute the vanilla extract for essential oils? And if so how many drops would i use.
Of course! I’ve used lavender oil and citrus oil with this recipe too. I’d start with 10 drops at a time, stir it in, and then add more if needed until it reaches your desired strength of scent.
I made this and mine turned hard what did I do wrong? I used vanilla extract does that make a difference.
Hi Tina!
It could be the temperature of your house, especially since it is winter time. Coconut oil will harden up when it’s cold. You might need to add a bit of another oil (like olive oil or safflower oil) to soften it up. I’d add just a tablespoon at a time until you get the consistency you like.
You said in other comments that you have used other things such as lavender and citrus oils, where would you get these oils? Or could you use mint extract and orange extract?
Hi Makelle!
I get them at our local health food store and have also seen them at Fresh Market and Whole Foods. I’ve also ordered oils online from Mountain Rose Herbs too. Hope that helps!
What if you wanted to allow kids to make individual sized? How do lessen the recipe?
You could reduce it by half, or just make more jars by using smaller sized jars. It might make a fun gift for teachers!
We’re planning on making this for party favors for my daughter’s bridal shower. Wondering how long it lasts? Im hoping to make it a little ahead of time.
Hi Angie!
All of the ingredients are pretty shelf stable on their own. But I usually recommend about 6 months for the shelf life of a scrub. I’ve had one up to a year in my linen closet and it didn’t go bad, but it didn’t smell as fresh as the day I first made it either.
If you wanted to make them up to a month ahead of time, I think you’d be okay. 😉
Vanilla in it makes me want to eat this lol! Love the DIY Scrub 🙂
I tried this one and guess what I got results. Thanks for sharing this 🙂
Hi can it be used on face scrub as well?
Thanks, looking for the reply asap?
It certainly could! I’ve used it as a lip scrub before. But my face is rather oily, so I don’t tend to use it as a face scrub.
I’m not much into sugar scrubs so I was wondering if this could be turned into a salt scrub?
It sure can!
I’d probably not use vanilla extract from the kitchen since it usually contains alcohol and can dry out the skin. I’ve seen many article warn to stay away from that. Might need to switch to a vanilla fragrance oil instead and it’d be great.
I love how easy this recipe is to make!
I did find that once the coconut oil was cold it got really hard. Any suggestions as to how to prevent this? Perhaps use a different oil, which would you suggest?
Hi Antoinette! You could also try safflower or canola oil. For the coconut oil, it usually just needs to be warmed up a bit to soften. I’ll scoop out some of the scrub with a spoon and then warm it up in my hands before using. Hope that helps!
3:1 would be the ratio? I would add essential oils to scent preference. I would not keep it around for very long. Oils do go rancid…
Keep in mind you are flushing oils and grit down your drains.
That could cause a problem over time