8 Best Homemade Face Scrubs to Help You Get That Glow

When done correctly, exfoliating your skin with a facial scrub may offer the following benefits:

• Smoother skin. Exfoliants help get rid of dead skin cells your body hasn’t fully shed yet. This can promote a smoother, brighter, more even complexion.
• Improved circulation. Stimulating the surface of your skin can boost blood flow which may, in turn, help give your skin a bit of a glow.
• Unclogged pores. Since it removes dead skin cells and oils that would otherwise clog your pores, facial exfoliation can help reduce acne breakouts.
• Better absorption. By removing a buildup of dead skin cells and other debris, your skin may absorb skin care products more effectively.

Homemade facial scrubs typically don’t need many ingredients. Before you start making the scrub, check to make sure you have the following on hand:

• a carrier oil that allows for mixing and moisturizing, such as jojoba, coconut, or almond oil
• a coffee grinder or food processor if you’re using oatmeal
• measuring spoons or measuring cups
• mixing bowl
• mixing spoon
• essential oils, if desired

You’ll also want to get an airtight container you can seal. This allows you to store your scrub and use it again at a later date.

1. Oatmeal and yogurt scrub

Oats aren’t just for breakfast — they work well for skin care, too. In fact, you’ll find oats in many types of skin care products, usually listed as “colloidal oatmeal” in the ingredients list.

Oatmeal contains plenty of antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe irritated or sensitive skin.

Yogurt, which has natural lactic acid, can help enhance exfoliation. Jojoba oil can add moisture without clogging pores.

This scrub works well 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, start by melting it according to the directions above.
3. Mix all ingredients in a mixing bowl.
4. Apply to cleansed skin in gentle circles for about 30 to 60 seconds.
5. Rinse the scrub from your skin with lukewarm water.
6. Spoon any remaining mixture into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.

2. Honey and oats scrub

Raw honey makes a great addition to a facial scrub due to its ability to help balance bacteria on your skin.

Honey is both a natural exfoliant and moisturizer, and its soothing antibacterial properties make it a helpful ingredient for acne.

This scrub works well for 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 for a few seconds in the microwave so it’s easier to mix.
3. Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
4. Apply to cleansed skin in gentle circles for about 60 seconds.
5. Rinse the scrub clean with lukewarm water.
6. Spoon the remainder of the scrub in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.

3. Apple and honey scrub

This scrub uses honey to help nourish and moisturize your skin. Apples, which have natural fruit acids and enzymes, can also exfoliate.

The fruit acids in this scrub, combined with the antibacterial properties of honey, make it a good 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 runny.
2. Warm the honey for a few seconds in a microwave so it’s easier to mix.
3. Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
4. Apply in circular motions to cleansed skin for 30 to 60 seconds.
5. Allow the scrub to sit on your skin for 5 minutes for further moisturizing benefits.
6. Rinse the scrub from your skin with lukewarm water.
7. Spoon any remaining mixture into a container and store in the refrigerator.

4. Banana oatmeal scrub

Not a fan of using oils on your face? Try this scrub, which uses banana as a base instead of oil.

Bananas contain nutrients like potassium, vitamin C, and traces of vitamin A. They also contain silica, a mineral element and relative of silicone, which can help boost collagen production in your skin.

This scrub is well-suited for oily skin.

Ingredients

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

Directions

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

5. Coffee scrub

The many potential health benefits of coffee extend to your skin.

This homemade coffee scrub may help improve skin health, due to coffee’s natural exfoliating and anti-inflammatory properties. Along with removing dead skin cells, this scrub can also help smooth skin and improve circulation.

This scrub is a good choice for oily skin.

Just keep in mind that coffee, even finely ground particles, may irritate your skin. If you have sensitive skin, or notice any irritation after you use it, you may want to opt for a different scrub.

Ingredients

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

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
2. Apply to cleansed skin in gentle circular motions for 1 to 3 minutes — you may want to start on the low end of this range to check how your skin handles the scrub.
3. Let the scrub rest for a few minutes, if desired.
4. Rinse the scrub clean with lukewarm water.
5. Store any leftover mixture in an airtight container.

6. Strawberry scrub

Strawberries boast high levels of vitamin C, and their anti-inflammatory properties make them helpful for reducing acne-related inflammation.

This scrub may be a good option for acne-prone skin.

Ingredients

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

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
2. Apply to cleansed skin in circular motions for 30 to 60 seconds.
3. Rinse skin with lukewarm water.
4. Store leftover scrub in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

7. Brown sugar scrub

This homemade exfoliating face scrub contains brown sugar and avocado oil to help exfoliate and hydrate your skin. The addition of lemongrass oil could potentially help treat skin infections, according to 2010 research.

A small 2015 study evaluating the effects of lemongrass oil during massage also suggests this essential oil may also help relieve stress and anxiety.

This scrub may be a good choice if you have 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. Apply scrub to cleansed skin in circular motions for 30 to 60 seconds.
3. Rinse face clean with lukewarm water.
4. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

8. Rose scrub

A rose-based scrub not only smells wonderful, if you enjoy the scent of roses, but it could also help you feel calmer.

In a small 2009 study, participants who breathed in the fragrance of rose oil reported feeling less alert, calmer, and more relaxed than participants who didn’t smell the rose oil. What’s more, blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, and breathing rate also decreased for participants who smelled the rose oil.

This face scrub is appropriate for all skin types.

Ingredients

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

Directions

• Mix water and rose petals in a blender for a few seconds.
• Combine and mix all ingredients together.
• Apply scrub to cleansed skin in circular motions for 30 to 60 seconds.
• Rinse face clean with lukewarm water.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Because the skin on your face is more sensitive and delicate than the skin on your body, facial scrubs should contain finer particles than body scrubs.

For instance, many people find sugar scrubs, a popular choice for body exfoliation, too harsh for facial skin. The same goes for sea salt, nutshells, and coffee grounds. These particles, as a general rule, tend to be too coarse for delicate facial skin.

Using ingredients that are too rough for your skin can lead to inflamed, irritated skin. In some cases, coarse particles may even scratch or break your skin.

If a face scrub containing coffee, sugar, or salt seems to lead to skin dryness, tightness, or irritation, you may want to opt for gentler ingredients.

To prevent skin irritation or scratching, you’ll want to use a mild exfoliant with smaller, finer particles. Some options include:

• very finely ground oatmeal
• cinnamon
• ground rice
• baking soda, in small quantities

These are all physical exfoliants. That means you need to scrub (gently rub, to be precise) your skin with these ingredients for them to work.

In addition to physical exfoliants, you also have the option of using a chemical exfoliant. This type of ingredient uses natural chemicals and enzymes to remove dead skin cells and renew your skin.

Chemical exfoliant ingredients you can use in a DIY face scrub include:

• milk and yogurt, which contain lactic acid
• apple, which contains malic acid
• pineapple, a rich source of vitamin C and citric acid
• mango, a rich source of vitamin A

Learn more about the difference between physical and chemical exfoliation.

While facial exfoliation can offer many skin benefits, you don’t want to over-exfoliate your skin, either.

If you have oily skin, it’s probably safe to exfoliate up to three times a week. If you have sensitive, acne-prone, or dry skin, you may want to avoid exfoliating more than once or twice a week.

As with any new skin care product, you’ll want to check for any skin sensitivities or allergies before using your DIY scrub.

Before applying an ingredient to your face:

• Apply a small test patch to the side of your neck or the inside of your elbow.
• Monitor your skin for 24 to 48 hours.
• If you don’t notice any unwanted reactions, it’s probably safe to use the scrub on your face.

Just keep in mind that the skin on your face is more sensitive than the skin on other parts of your body. Even if you don’t notice a reaction when doing a patch test on your arm, your face could still react to the ingredients.

If you notice any signs of irritation or other unwanted reactions, you’ll want to stop using the scrub. A dermatologist or other healthcare professional may be able to help you identify which ingredient triggered the reaction.

You’ll also want to avoid exfoliating if you have sunburned or chapped skin. If you have areas of broken skin, like a cut or an irritated acne blemish, avoid using the scrub on these areas.

Facial scrubs offer one method of removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. Exfoliating your skin can also help prevent clogged pores, plus boost circulation and collagen production.

Facial scrubs don’t require many ingredients, so you might find them easy to make at home. Just take care to only use ingredients that are safe for facial exfoliation. Some types of exfoliants, like sugar, coarse sea salt, and nutshells, are too harsh for the skin on your face.

Not sure whether an ingredient will work in your DIY facial scrub? It never hurts to check with a dermatologist first.