Sugar scrub recipe.

Worked example

A 450 g batch at 2 parts sugar to 1 part oil with 0.5% essential oil: essential oil is 2.25 g, which leaves 447.75 g. Oil is 447.75 / (1 + 2) = 149.25 g and sugar is 298.50 g. A 4 oz jar holds 113.40 g, so the batch fills 3 jars with about 110 g left for a fourth.

How it works

Oil = (batch grams minus essential oil grams) / (1 + sugar parts), and sugar is the rest. Published sugar scrub recipes are written in cups, so they vary: the recipes in the Healthline roundup run from about 1:1 sugar to oil (half a cup of each) to about 5:1 (a cup of sugar to 3 tablespoons of oil) by volume. This tool works by weight, so treat the ratio as a place to start and adjust after a small test batch.

Healthline says it is generally safe to exfoliate two to three times a week, and to avoid a sugar scrub on skin that is chapped or broken, red or swollen, or sunburnt. Bulk Apothecary staff say in the comments on that recipe page that it is best used within about 2 weeks (another reply says 2 to 4 weeks) unless you can guarantee no water or moisture gets in; wet hands or shower spray in the jar break that guarantee. Humblebee & Me says the presence of water always means a preservative is needed unless the product is for immediate use, so this tool does not make a water-containing scrub.

Sources (opened 2026-10-08): Healthline, DIY Sugar Scrub: 11 Easy Recipes for Allover Exfoliation; Bulk Apothecary, Lime Coconut Sugar Scrub Recipe; Humblebee & Me, water in an otherwise water-free formula; Tisserand Institute, Dilution for essential oils.

FAQ

What is the ratio of sugar to oil in a sugar scrub?

Published recipes vary. The Healthline roundup runs from about 1:1 (half a cup of each) to about 5:1 (a cup of sugar to 3 tablespoons of oil) sugar to oil by volume. This tool starts at 2:1 by weight; add oil for a richer scrub or sugar for a grittier one.

How much sugar do I need for a 4 oz jar?

A 4 oz jar is 113.40 g. At 2:1 with no essential oil that is about 75.60 g of sugar and 37.80 g of oil.

How long does a homemade sugar scrub last?

Bulk Apothecary staff say in the comments on that recipe page that it is best used within about 2 weeks (another reply says 2 to 4 weeks) unless no water can enter the jar. Treat a scrub that lives in the shower as a short-life product.

How often can I use a sugar scrub?

Healthline says it is generally safe to exfoliate two to three times a week. More can leave skin dry and irritated.

Can I use a body sugar scrub on my face?

Healthline says most of its scrubs are safe for the face, while Humblebee & Me advises against using body scrubs on the face because they are too harsh. Patch test, and use a fine, face-specific scrub for facial skin.