Winter dryness and spring allergies were taking a toll on our skin, and nothing we found in stores provided reliable, year-round relief. Since we already make our own soap, tea, pickles, and other household staples, we decided to create a facial scrub tailored to our needs. The results were better than expected, and after using it consistently, we felt confident enough to put it online.
Important: While this facial scrub is made with largely natural ingredients, allergic reactions are always possible. Facial skin, especially around the eyes, is sensitive.
- Test a small area of skin in a less sensitive area, such as your arm, before applying it to your face.
- Avoid direct contact with the eyes or the mouth
- Those with nut allergies should use extra caution, as coconut oil is a primary ingredient
We originally used this scrub occasionally to treat irritated, very dry skin, serving as both an exfoliant and a moisturizer. Over time, one of us began using it daily with great results. Because coconut oil is the base, it can help or worsen acne depending on skin type and use. We do include castor oil and honey to help balance it. As with most skincare, results depend on context, since skin is highly personal. Let your skin’s response guide how often you use this scrub.
Let’s get to the ingredients
Here is what you will need:
- Dark Brown Sugar – 1 cup
- Coconut Oil – ½ cup
- Sea Salt – 1 tbsp
- Castor Oil -1 tbsp
- Vitamin E oil -1 tsp
- Arrowroot Powder – ½ tsp
- Comfrey – ½ cup
- Honey – 1 tbsp
- Essential Oils – 30 drops +/-
The Why Breakdown
Each ingredient in this scrub serves a specific purpose. Some benefits are supported by research, others by long-standing traditional use. For us, the deciding factor is simple: it works.
Dark brown sugar provides gentle exfoliation, helping remove dead skin without being overly abrasive.
Sea salt adds exfoliating grit and helps reduce spoilage due to its natural preservative properties.
Coconut oil moisturizes and helps restore the skin barrier, making it especially useful for dry, irritated skin.
Castor oil balances coconut oil, offering anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Vitamin E oil helps prevent moisture loss, softens skin, and supports skin repair.
Honey helps draw moisture into the skin and offers anti-inflammatory and antibacterial benefits.
Comfrey helps soothe and soften skin and supports hydration.
Arrowroot powder reduces the greasy feel of the scrub and helps improve overall texture.
Essential oils add scent and provide aromatherapy benefits, depending on the oils selected.
We recommend using organic and all-natural sources to ensure they maintain their full strength. The reality is, though, that it can get cost-prohibitive for some. We have written a couple of articles about what organic means and what it doesn’t. If you need to cut costs, do so; we have at times as well and haven’t noticed a significant difference.
Essential Oils
Essential oils let you customize this scrub for your intended use. For a morning scrub, brighter scents like eucalyptus, lemongrass, and tea tree work well. For evening use, softer options such as chamomile, rose, and lavender are more calming.
Use caution when selecting oils. Some essential oils, including cinnamon, clove, and peppermint, can irritate sensitive skin and are unsafe if they come into contact with the eyes. If you are unsure about an oil, check a reliable reference before adding it to the mix.
The how
So, how do you make this? It is easy
- Gather up all ingredients, including the essential oils
- Place in a food processor
- Pulse for 30 seconds
- Scrape down sides
- Pulse again for 30 seconds.
At this point, check it. It is very easy to overblend. To ensure this works correctly, keep blending to a minimum to preserve the grit of the sugar and salt. It should feel gritty like coarse sand. You may need to repeat steps 4 and 5 a couple more times.
Place this in a jar or other sealable container. Since brown sugar, honey, and salt are hygroscopic, they degrade by absorbing moisture from the air. You know what air in a bathroom has in it? Water! Keep it sealed to extend its shelf life.
Using it
When you want to use it, open the container, take out a teaspoonful, and use it as you would any other facial scrub. It is that simple.
A Side Note
If you are concerned about coconut oil, you could substitute an alternative oil, such as olive oil. In that case, we would recommend adding more arrowroot to the mix. Why is this needed? Coconut oil is firm enough at room temperature to retain its shape, whereas olive oil does not. Additional arrowroot or other thickener would be needed to solidify the mixture and prevent separation. We have not tried this ourselves but it would be a good experiment to try.
Wrapping Up
You know how to create your own facial scrub and tune it to your needs. While the ‘green goo’ isn’t the prettiest, it is highly effective and made with ingredients that are generally low-cost and have known health benefits. In addition, it is easy to make, smells good, and can make a decent homemade gift.
