Homemade Grapefruit Body Scrub with Essential Oils

This is a great homemade body scrub recipe that is very simple to make with everyday pantry ingredients and essential oils. It's an easy DIY grapefruit sugar scrub recipe that is sure to make your skin feel amazing.

Homemade sugar scrubs are so easy to make and easy to customize! Plus, they make a great gift for birthdays, Mother's Day, and the holidays! Make up a batch of this grapefruit sugar scrub for all the ladies on your Christmas gift-giving list this year!

Grapefruit sugar scrub in a glass jar with a black and white string around the jar and a lmeon in the background.

Feeling lazy, yet want to give your body a treat? Homemade beauty recipes like this grapefruit body scrub are quick and easy to make with ingredients you likely have in the kitchen already. The citrusy goodness will leave your skin feeling smooth and refreshed!

This DIY grapefruit sugar scrub recipe can also be used as a facial scrub or just for general shower time pampering.

DIY Grapefruit Body Scrub

I absolutely LOVE sugar scrubs, but I hate buying them! I have sensitive skin so some store-bought facial products make my skin all red and itchy. Others have microbeads, which are really bad for water life and the environment. And most have hefty price tags!

One of my old favorites is Tree Hut, but to order one is like $20! Most of the scrubs I make come out to about $5-6. I calculate my total by adding up how much each ingredient costs to replace & what % of it I am using in the recipe.

For example, a 4-pound bag of sugar costs me $2 at Walmart & I use about 1/2 pound for this recipe. So I'm using 1/8th of a bag (12.5%) so it cost me about $0.25 for the sugar. For something like lemon zest or juice, I use the total cost of the lemon.

If you don't have an ingredient on hand, it does cost a little more but it's often still cheaper to buy all the ingredients for making your own body scrubs than to buy a premade sugar scrub. And you have ingredients left for other projects too!

Ingredients for Grapefruit Body Scrub

  • Coconut oil
  • Sea salt
  • Granulated sugar (or brown sugar works nicely, too!)
  • Grapefruit essential oil
  • Lemon
  • Beet juice, if desired for a pink color

Supplies for Making Salt Scrubs

  • Ingredients above
  • 16 oz airtight container (or multiple smaller containers)
  • Mixing bowl
  • Dry measuring cups
  • Liquid measuring cup
  • Whisk or spoon
  • Gift tags (if gifting)

How to Make a Grapefruit Salt Scrub with Lemon

Combine salt & sugar in a mixing bowl. Break up any lumps and stir.

Add coconut oil to salt & sugar mixture. Mix well.

Add lemon juice and grapefruit essential oil.

Double-check for any lumps or lemon seeds.

Add beet juice, if desired, one drop at a time until the desired colour is reached.

How to use this homemade grapefruit sugar scrub?

  1. Wash with your favorite soap and rinse well.
  2. Generously apply the sugar scrub to damp skin, avoiding sensitive areas.
  3. Rub in a circular motion to exfoliate any dead cells.
  4. Leave the scrub on for about 2-4 minutes.
  5. Rinse with warm water or wipe off with a damp washcloth.
  6. Apply your favorite body lotion with shea butter or moisturizing body oil.

What are the benefits of grapefruit scrub with essential oils?

Grapefruit essential oil has several benefits that make it perfect for a sugar scrub. It has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, that could help reduce acne. It has high levels of Vitamins A & C plus antioxidants that help with the production of collagen and protects your skin from the environment.

Some studies on citrus oils show compounds in grapefruit are linked to calming and anti-anxiety effects. Most of these studies are general for citrus or specifically study limonene, a compound found in grapefruit, lemon, lime, and orange. If you are wanting the mood-balancing benefits but do not have grapefruit essential oil on hand, you could substitute another citrus high in limonene.

New research has shown that grapefruit oil can be used in aromatherapy to help suppress overactive appetites in animals. While no human studies have been done yet, I love the smell of grapefruit essential oil and don't mind seeing if diffusing it on days I don't use this scrub affects my weight loss journey at all.

The salt & sugar help exfoliate and remove dead skin cells while the coconut oil adds moisture to dry skin for soft skin!

How often can I use this sugar scrub?

Generally, I recommend using a sugar scrub 1-3 times a week, depending on your skin type. If it's made with white or coarse sugar, you won't want to do it as often. If you use brown or another softer sugar, you can use it up to 4 times a week. Just remember to moisturize afterward. You can use this grapefruit sugar scrub solely or alternate between it and another recipe – just make sure you don't use a scrub more than 4 times a week.

Is it safe to put on your face with this scrub?

I do not recommend using this one as a facial scrubs because coconut oil is highly comedogenic and will clog your pores. For facial scrubs, I recommend using a non-comedogenic oil like sweet almond oil or grapeseed oil

Need a different carrier oil due to allergies or availability? Check out my extensive guide to help you pick the best carrier oil for you!

Grapefruit sugar scrub in a glass jar with the lid next to it.

How to store homemade sugar scrubs

I prefer to store my homemade sugar scrub products in glass containers since most of my recipes use essential oils. A plastic container can break down with essential oils, plus we are trying to reduce our purchase of plastic.

If you are worried about it being slippery in the bathroom, you can use one of these spa gloves for extra grip! This scrub will keep for up to six months at room temperature.

I store my unrefrigerated sugar scrubs in our bathroom window. It doesn't get direct sunlight but is warmer than the rest of the room most of the year. If you don't have a warmer place to keep it, you can run the sealed jar under warm water for a couple of minutes.

Tips for Gifting Homemade Sugar Scrubs:

One of my favorite things about our homemade beauty products is that they are ideal for making into gifts. Whether you plan to give as a Christmas present, birthday gift, or just because, you can easily make an affordable gift using this recipe. Teachers also often love receiving a homemade gift they can use, but make sure to check with them about allergies ahead of time.

Use a Mason Jar with a Pretty Ribbon & Homemade Label for the perfect gift! I love using pint-size mason jars when gifting because these labels and the free ones I made for you fit perfectly between the lid and ring! You could also use sticker paper and attach it to any container you want to use.

Subscribe below to snag this free printable to label your sugar scrubs! I've prefilled the name on the first page for your new favorite – the Green Tea & Peppermint Brown Sugar Scrub but there is a second page of blank labels to write your own names and notes!

Tips for Making This Body Scrub:

I like to soften my coconut oil if it's very hard. In the winter, it can get a bit chilly in our house and my coconut oil turns into a rock. Scooping it out with a spoon and softening it before measuring helps me get a more accurate amount and makes it easier to combine with the other ingredients.

Can I use another carrier oil?

Coconut oil is a staple at my house. I use it for everything from making my own body products, cooking, homemade salves and lip balms, for personal care, and many other ways. You can use one of your favorite carrier oils for this grapefruit sugar scrub recipe though.

Olive oil and jojoba oil are common substitutes, but check out my extensive guide to help you pick the best carrier oil for you!

Homemade body scrub recipe in a glass jar with a lemon next to it.

Can I use another essential oil?

You definitely can! You could substitute any oil that goes well with lemon or add a few drops of an oil that complements the grapefruit. Peppermint is one of my favourites to combine with grapefruit but you could also do rosemary, another citrus, or frankincense. Or anything else you like with grapefruit!

Can I use grapefruit zest?

Of course! You could add a little grapefruit zest (or lemon zest) for extra exfoliation & to sharpen that citrus scent.

Can I use grapefruit juice?

You could use grapefruit juice instead of lemon juice, but I prefer the combination of the two scents & I always have lemons on hand but the kids snag the grapefruits for breakfast whenever I buy them!

Can I use a different type of sugar?

Yes! You can use turbinado raw cane sugar or brown sugar instead of white sugar in this sugar scrub recipe. You might notice that brown and turbinado sugar gives a warmer, richer scent than white sugar does. Because turbinado and white are coarser sugars, you won't be able to use them as often.

More Sugar Scrubs:

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5 from 1 vote

Homemade Grapefruit Body Scrub with Essential Oils

Course Sugar Scrubs
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 16 oz
Author Savanah
Cost $5.00

Equipment

  • 16 oz airtight container (or multiple smaller containers)
  • Mixing bowl
  • Liquid measuring cup
  • Whisk or spoon
  • Gift tags (if gifting)

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup coconut oil
  • 1 cup sea salt
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 12 drops pure grapefruit essential oil
  • 1 fresh lemon juiced

Instructions

  • Combine salt & sugar in a mixing bowl. Break up any lumps and stir.
  • Add coconut oil to salt & sugar mixture. Mix well.
  • Add lemon juice and grapefruit essential oil.
  • Double-check for any lumps or lemon seeds.
  • Add beet juice, if desired, one drop at a time until the desired color is reached.

Notes

To Use:
  • Generously apply the sugar scrub to your body, avoiding sensitive areas.
  • Rub in a circular motion to exfoliate any dead cells.
  • Leave the scrub on for about 2-4 minutes.
  • Rinse well with warm water or wipe off with a damp washcloth.
  • Apply your favorite body lotion or oil. Cost is based on my local prices and does not include containers, measuring cups, etc.
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