8 Best Homemade Face Scrubs to Help You Get That Glow

Regularly exfoliating your face can help stop clogged pores and improve circulation and collagen formation. You can follow simple formulas to craft your own face scrub at home.

Exfoliation removes dead skin cells from your skin’s surface, which can reduce pore blockages. Routine exfoliation may also encourage collagen production, contributing to firmer, smoother, and more luminous skin.

If you prefer knowing exactly what goes on your skin, a homemade facial scrub is a viable option. Most people find these scrubs quick and straightforward to prepare, and you may already have many of the components in your kitchen.

Continue reading to discover the perks of exfoliation and get 8 easy DIY facial scrub recipes using skin-friendly ingredients.

What are the benefits of a facial scrub?

When performed properly, exfoliating your skin with a facial scrub can provide the following advantages:

• Smoother skin. Exfoliants remove dead skin cells your body hasn’t yet shed, promoting a softer, brighter, more even complexion.
• Improved circulation. Massaging the skin’s surface can increase blood flow, which may give your skin a healthy glow.
• Unclogged pores. By eliminating dead skin cells and oils that would otherwise block pores, facial exfoliation can help lower acne flare-ups.
• Better absorption. Clearing away buildup of dead skin and debris can allow your skin care products to penetrate more effectively.

What do you need to make a facial scrub?

Homemade facial scrubs usually require few items. Before you begin, make sure you have the following:

• a carrier oil for mixing and hydration, such as jojoba, coconut, or almond oil
• a coffee grinder or food processor if using oats
• measuring spoons or cups
• a mixing bowl
• a mixing spoon
• essential oils, optional

You’ll also want an airtight container for storage so you can keep leftover scrub for later use.

Using coconut oil?

Coconut oil is solid at room temperature, so melt it before combining it with other ingredients.

To safely melt coconut oil:

• Fill a large glass or metal bowl with hot or very warm water.
• Place the closed jar of coconut oil into the bowl without opening it.
• Let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes, or until enough oil has liquefied for your recipe.

8 DIY face scrubs to try

1. Oatmeal and yogurt scrub

Oats aren’t only for breakfast — they’re beneficial in skin care as well. You’ll often see oats in products, usually labeled as “colloidal oatmeal.”

Oatmeal is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory qualities that can calm irritated or sensitive skin.

Yogurt contains natural lactic acid that aids exfoliation. Jojoba oil adds hydration without blocking pores.

This scrub is ideal for combination skin.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons (tbsp.) uncooked rolled oats
• 1 tbsp. plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp. jojoba or (liquid) coconut oil

Directions

1. Grind oats into a fine powder using a coffee grinder or food processor.
2. If using coconut oil, melt it as described above.
3. Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl.
4. Gently massage onto cleansed skin in circular motions for 30 to 60 seconds.
5. Rinse the scrub off with lukewarm water.
6. Place any leftover mixture in an airtight container and refrigerate.

2. Honey and oats scrub

Raw honey is a great choice for a facial scrub because it helps balance skin bacteria.

Honey gently exfoliates and moisturizes, and its antibacterial and soothing properties make it useful for acne-prone skin.

This scrub suits oily and combination skin types.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup uncooked rolled oats
• 2 tbsp. raw honey
• 2 tbsp. jojoba oil

Directions

1. Grind oats into a fine powder using a coffee grinder or food processor.
2. Warm the honey briefly in the microwave to make mixing easier.
3. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
4. Apply to cleansed skin in gentle circular motions for about 60 seconds.
5. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
6. Store the remaining scrub in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

3. Apple and honey scrub

This scrub pairs honey’s moisturizing and nourishing effects with apples’ natural fruit acids and enzymes for exfoliation.

The fruit acids, together with honey’s antibacterial qualities, make this a suitable choice for oily or acne-prone skin.

Ingredients

• 1 ripe apple, peeled and cored
• 1/2 tbsp. raw honey
• 1/2 teaspoon (tsp.) jojoba oil

Directions

1. Puree the apple in a food processor until smooth but not watery.
2. Warm the honey briefly in the microwave to ease mixing.
3. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
4. Massage onto cleansed skin in circular motions for 30 to 60 seconds.
5. Let the scrub rest on your skin for 5 minutes for added hydration.
6. Rinse off with lukewarm water.
7. Store any remaining mixture in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

4. Banana oatmeal scrub

If you prefer to avoid oils, try this scrub that uses mashed banana as the base instead.

Bananas offer nutrients like potassium, vitamin C, and traces of vitamin A, plus silica — a mineral that may support collagen synthesis.

This scrub is suitable for oily skin.

Ingredients

• 1 ripe banana
• 2 tbsp. uncooked rolled oats
• 1 tbsp. plain Greek yogurt

Directions

1. Mash the banana with a fork until smooth but not runny.
2. Grind oats into a fine powder with a coffee grinder or food processor.
3. Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
4. Apply to cleansed skin using gentle circular motions for 30 to 60 seconds.
5. Rinse with lukewarm water.
6. Save any leftover scrub in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

5. Coffee scrub

Coffee’s potential benefits extend to skin care.

This coffee scrub may support skin health thanks to coffee’s natural exfoliating and anti-inflammatory effects. Besides sloughing off dead skin cells, it can help smooth the skin and stimulate circulation.

This option works well for oily skin.

Note that even finely ground coffee may irritate sensitive skin. If you have sensitive skin or notice discomfort, choose a gentler scrub.

Ingredients

• 1 cup finely ground coffee
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp. avocado oil
• 2 tbsp. coconut oil

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Massage onto cleansed skin in gentle circular motions for 1 to 3 minutes — start shorter to assess tolerance.
3. Optionally let the scrub sit for a few minutes.
4. Rinse away with lukewarm water.
5. Keep leftover scrub in an airtight container.

6. Strawberry scrub

Strawberries are rich in vitamin C and have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce acne-related redness.

This scrub can be a good pick for acne-prone skin.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup strawberries, mashed with a fork
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup coconut oil

Directions

1. Stir all ingredients together in a bowl.
2. Massage onto cleansed skin in circular motions for 30 to 60 seconds.
3. Rinse with lukewarm water.
4. Store any leftover scrub in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

7. Brown sugar scrub

This DIY exfoliant combines brown sugar and avocado oil to exfoliate while adding moisture. Adding lemongrass oil may offer antimicrobial benefits, according to 2010 research.

A small 2015 study also suggests lemongrass oil might help reduce stress and anxiety when used in massage.

This scrub may suit dry or acne-prone skin.

Ingredients

• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup avocado oil
• 1 tsp. fine Himalayan sea salt
• 3–4 drops lemongrass essential oil (optional)

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients together.
2. Massage onto cleansed skin in circular motions for 30 to 60 seconds.
3. Rinse with lukewarm water.
4. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

8. Rose scrub

A rose-based scrub smells lovely if you enjoy floral scents and may promote relaxation.

A small 2009 study found participants who inhaled rose oil reported feeling calmer and more relaxed, along with reductions in blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and breathing rate.

This scrub is suitable for all skin types.

Ingredients

• 10 rose petals
• 1 tsp. water
• 8–10 drops rose oil
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tbsp. honey

Directions

• Blend water and rose petals briefly.
• Combine and mix all ingredients.
• Gently rub onto cleansed skin in circular motions for 30 to 60 seconds.
• Rinse with lukewarm water.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Are there ingredients to avoid?

Because facial skin is more delicate than the skin on the body, face scrubs should use finer particles than body scrubs.

Many people find that sugar scrubs, popular for body exfoliation, are too abrasive for the face. The same caution applies to coarse sea salt, nutshells, and coffee grounds. These particles are generally too rough for delicate facial skin.

Using overly coarse ingredients can cause inflamed or irritated skin, and in some cases may scratch or damage the skin.

If a scrub with coffee, sugar, or salt causes dryness, tightness, or irritation, switch to gentler options.

What ingredients work well?

To avoid irritation or micro-abrasions, choose a mild exfoliant with smaller, finer particles. Good choices include:

• very finely ground oatmeal
• cinnamon
• ground rice
• baking soda, used sparingly

These are physical exfoliants, meaning you gently rub them on the skin to remove dead cells.

You can also use chemical exfoliants, which employ natural acids and enzymes to dissolve dead skin cells and renew the surface.

Chemical exfoliant ingredients suitable for DIY scrubs include:

• milk and yogurt (lactic acid)
• apple (malic acid)
• pineapple (rich in vitamin C and citric acid)
• mango (a source of vitamin A)

Learn more about the differences between physical and chemical exfoliation.

How often should you use a facial scrub?

While exfoliation has many benefits, avoid overdoing it.

If you have oily skin, exfoliating up to three times per week is likely safe. For sensitive, acne-prone, or dry skin, limit exfoliation to once or twice weekly.

Safety tips

As with any new skin care product, test for sensitivities or allergies before using your DIY scrub.

Before applying an ingredient to your face:

• Apply a small patch to the side of your neck or the inside of your elbow.
• Observe the area for 24 to 48 hours.
• If no adverse reactions appear, it’s likely safe to use on your face.

Keep in mind that facial skin is more sensitive than other areas. Even if a patch test on your arm shows no reaction, your face might still respond negatively.

If you experience irritation or other unwanted symptoms, stop using the scrub. A dermatologist can help identify the ingredient responsible for the reaction.

Avoid exfoliating sunburned or chapped skin. If you have broken skin, such as cuts or inflamed acne lesions, do not apply the scrub to those areas.

The bottom line

Facial scrubs are an effective method for removing dead skin cells from your skin’s surface. Exfoliation can help prevent clogged pores and boost circulation and collagen production.

Because facial scrubs use few ingredients, they’re often simple to prepare at home. Be careful to select ingredients appropriate for facial use; certain exfoliants like coarse sugar, sea salt, and nutshells are too abrasive for facial skin.

If you’re uncertain whether a particular ingredient is appropriate for a DIY facial scrub, consult a dermatologist first.