DIY exfoliating scrubs….. let’s get one thing out of the way—I am not a dermatologist, an aesthetician, or one of those TikTok beauty girls who swears her pores disappeared after using yogurt and glitter or whatever.

I’m just someone who, at various points in life, has had dry patches, oily blobs, hormonal breakouts, and one very unfortunate moment involving cinnamon. (We do NOT talk about the Cinnamon Incident of 2021.)

But I’m also a bit stubborn. And broke. And curious. Which means I’ve spent years—YEARS—tinkering with weird stuff in my kitchen to make my own DIY exfoliating scrubs.

Spoiler: Some were absolute disasters. But some? Total game-changers.

Let me tell you the good stuff. The stuff that made my skin feel smooth, glow-y, and—not to sound dramatic—like I just walked out of a spa I couldn’t afford.

🧽 Wait—Why Make Your Own Scrubs?

Because store-bought ones are either:

  1. Too expensive, like $48 for a tub of sugar and oil with a fancy sticker on it.
  2. Full of questionable junk I can’t pronounce.
  3. Smell like something a unicorn threw up.

And here’s the kicker: you can literally make better stuff at home with what you already have. Sugar, salt, coffee grounds, oatmeal…all living rent-free in your pantry right now.

Also? It’s kind of fun. Like arts and crafts for your face.

🛁 The Scrub That Started It All: Brown Sugar & Coconut Oil

This one’s the OG. The classic. The comfort food of exfoliation.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar (the soft, slightly clumpy kind)
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil (melted but not hot, please)
  • Optional: a few drops of vanilla or lavender oil (for that ahhhh moment)

Why it works:

Brown sugar is gentle enough to use on your face without sandblasting it into oblivion. Coconut oil? Moisturizing AF.

How I use it:

Rub it on my face in slow, little circles while listening to sad indie music. Or in the shower, all over my legs before shaving—hello, dolphin skin.

Warning: Your tub might get slippery. I once almost did the splits. Sexy? No. Effective? Yes.

☕ When Life Sucks, Use Coffee

Okay, this one smells like HEAVEN. Like your favorite café. Like the moment before your first sip of morning sanity.

Coffee Body Scrub (For When Your Skin—and Soul—Need a Wake-Up)

  • 1/4 cup used coffee grounds (fresh is okay too, but used makes you feel like a recycling goddess)
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or coconut oil
  • Optional: a pinch of cinnamon (unless you’re me in 2021. Still traumatized.)

Rub it on your body (I avoid the face—too scrubby), rinse off, and bam. Smooth as hell. Also, coffee has antioxidants. Which sounds fancy, even if I don’t fully get it.

I used this on my arms before a wedding once and someone said, “You’re glowing.” and did not correct them. I just nodded like a smug exfoliated queen.

🍯 For When Your Skin Hates You: Honey & Oatmeal

If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and thought, Why does my face look like a hormonal 7th grader’s science experiment?—this one’s for you.

Calming Exfoliating Face Scrub:

  • 1 tablespoon finely ground oats (just blitz rolled oats in a blender)
  • 1 tablespoon honey (raw if you’ve got it)
  • 1 teaspoon plain yogurt or aloe vera gel (optional but nice)

This one’s barely a scrub. More like a hug. The oats calm redness, the honey fights bacteria (science!), and it won’t make your skin scream.

I’ve used this on hangover mornings. After crying. During breakouts. It gets me.

🧂 Bonus Round: The Salty Spa Vibes

Salt is amazing—unless you have cuts or just shaved, then it’s a spicy mistake. Otherwise? It’s like your skin took a weekend trip to the ocean and came back fresh.

Lemon Sea Salt Scrub (Only for body)

  • 1/4 cup sea salt (fine grain, unless you’re into pain)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • Zest if you’re feeling extra

Scrub on your arms, elbows, legs—skip the face unless your skin is a tank. Leaves you glowy and a little zesty-smelling. I love it in summer when I want my knees to look like they’ve seen sunshine.

DO NOT use this after shaving or your soul might leave your body temporarily.

🙃 The Ones I Regret (A Cautionary Tale) for DIY Exfoliating Scrubs

Okay so not everything I tried was genius.

  • Baking soda and vinegar — I thought I was being a chemist. My face burned. 0/10.
  • Sugar and lemon on my face — It stung. I looked like a tomato. Proceed with caution.
  • Crushed walnut shells — Why is this even legal?? Feels like rubbing gravel on your cheeks.

Sometimes I experiment like a goblin. And sometimes I forget my skin is not made of dragon scales.

💬 What My Group Chat Says

I once convinced my friend Heather to try the coffee scrub and she texted:
“I smell like a Starbucks but damn, my butt is smooth.”

My mom uses the oatmeal one and says, “It’s better than that $30 crap I bought at the mall.”
(You know it’s legit when moms say it.)

🧴DIY Exfoliating Scrubs Tips I Wish I Knew Sooner

  • Use a spoon to scoop out your scrubs. Fingers introduce bacteria, and mold is not cute.
  • Store in a glass jar—looks pretty and keeps it fresh.
  • Do NOT exfoliate every day. Your skin will file a restraining order.
  • Test on a patch first. Always. Especially if it involves citrus or essential oils.

👀 So… Are DIY Exfoliating Scrubs Worth It?

Honestly? Yeah.

Not just for the smooth skin (although yes, that’s a huge plus). But for the moment of calm it gives you. The weird satisfaction of mixing something with your hands. The “look at me being resourceful and semi-functional” vibe.

Also, my bathroom now smells like a cozy kitchen-slash-spa. Which is kinda the dream.

So yeah—try one. Or all. Just…maybe skip the cinnamon. https://kohopoho.com/best-face-masks-for-acne/.

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