15 Homemade Exfoliating Scrubs for Brighter Skin

Exfoliating your skin is one of the best ways to reveal a brighter, more radiant complexion. Homemade exfoliating scrubs are a great option because they use natural ingredients you can trust. These DIY scrubs are gentle on your skin and help remove dead skin cells, leaving your skin smooth and refreshed. Whether you’re looking to brighten your complexion or hydrate your skin, there’s a scrub for every need. The best part is many of these scrubs are made with ingredients you likely already have at home.

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Sugar and Honey Scrub

This scrub uses brown sugar as a natural exfoliant. The sugar helps to remove dead skin cells, revealing smoother skin. Honey, being a natural humectant, locks in moisture and hydrates the skin, giving it a bright and healthy glow.

Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of brown sugar – 1 tablespoon of honey

Instructions: In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and honey until the sugar is fully coated with honey. Apply the mixture to damp skin, gently massaging in circular motions for about 2 minutes. After massaging, rinse with lukewarm water. This scrub is perfect for using 1-2 times a week, depending on your skin’s needs.

Coffee and Coconut Oil Scrub

Coffee grounds are an excellent exfoliator, providing a deep clean while stimulating blood flow. Coconut oil offers moisturizing benefits and leaves the skin feeling smooth and nourished after exfoliation. Together, they help improve skin texture and provide a radiant complexion.

Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of ground coffee – 1 tablespoon of coconut oil (melted)

Instructions: Mix the ground coffee with melted coconut oil until you form a thick paste. Massage this scrub onto damp skin in small circular motions for about 1-2 minutes. Focus on areas that need extra attention, such as rough patches or cellulite. After massaging, rinse with warm water.

Oatmeal and Yogurt Scrub

Oatmeal is known for its soothing properties and gentle exfoliation, making it ideal for sensitive skin. Combined with yogurt, which contains lactic acid, this scrub helps to remove dead skin cells while brightening and hydrating the skin.

Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of ground oatmeal – 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt

Instructions: Grind the oatmeal into a fine powder and mix it with plain yogurt. Apply the paste to damp skin, massaging gently in circular motions for 1-2 minutes. Leave it on for an additional 3 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water. This scrub is great for sensitive skin and can be used once or twice a week.

Lemon and Baking Soda Scrub

Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C, which can help brighten the skin. Baking soda, with its slightly abrasive texture, exfoliates and clears away dirt and dead skin cells. This scrub helps to lighten dark spots and even out skin tone.

Ingredients: 1 tablespoon of baking soda – 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice

Instructions: In a bowl, mix the baking soda and lemon juice to form a paste. Gently apply it to damp skin, massaging in circular motions for about 1 minute. Allow it to sit for an additional minute to let the lemon juice brighten your skin. Rinse off with warm water. Use this scrub 1-2 times a week for best results.

Brown Sugar and Olive Oil Scrub

Brown sugar is a natural exfoliant that gently buffs the skin. Olive oil, on the other hand, moisturizes and nourishes the skin, leaving it soft and smooth. This scrub is great for achieving a hydrated and radiant glow.

Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of brown sugar – 1 tablespoon of olive oil

Instructions: Mix brown sugar and olive oil in a small bowl until fully combined. Apply the mixture to damp skin, massaging gently for 2 minutes. Pay extra attention to dry areas like elbows and knees. Rinse with warm water. This scrub can be used once a week.

Salt and Coconut Oil Scrub

Sea salt is a great natural exfoliator, helping to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores. Combined with coconut oil, which deeply moisturizes, this scrub makes the skin feel soft and refreshed, while also reducing dryness.

Ingredients: 1 tablespoon of sea salt – 1 tablespoon of coconut oil (melted)

Instructions: Mix the sea salt with melted coconut oil until you get a thick paste. Massage it onto damp skin in gentle circular motions for 1-2 minutes. Rinse with warm water after exfoliating. This scrub is perfect for a full-body exfoliation and can be used once a week.

Turmeric and Honey Scrub

Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory and skin-brightening properties. When mixed with honey, which is naturally hydrating, this scrub helps brighten dull skin and reduce redness, leaving you with a glowing complexion.

Ingredients: 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder – 1 tablespoon of honey

Instructions: Mix turmeric powder with honey until it forms a paste. Apply the paste to damp skin, massaging gently in circular motions for about 2 minutes. Let the scrub sit for 5 minutes to allow the turmeric to brighten your skin. Rinse with lukewarm water. This scrub can be used 1-2 times a week.

Almond and Milk Scrub

Ground almonds gently exfoliate the skin, while milk contains lactic acid, which helps to remove dead skin cells and brighten the skin. This scrub works well for dry and sensitive skin types, as it nourishes while exfoliating.

Ingredients: 1 tablespoon of ground almonds – 1 tablespoon of milk

Instructions: Grind almonds into a fine powder and mix with milk to form a paste. Apply the paste to damp skin, massaging gently for about 1-2 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water after exfoliating.

Papaya and Honey Scrub

Papaya contains enzymes that break down dead skin cells, promoting cell turnover. Combined with honey, this scrub not only exfoliates but also hydrates the skin, helping to restore its natural glow.

Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of mashed papaya – 1 tablespoon of honey

Instructions: Mash papaya and mix it with honey until smooth. Apply the mixture to damp skin, massaging in circular motions for about 1-2 minutes. Leave it on for an additional 3-5 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water. Use this scrub once a week for the best results.

Avocado and Sugar Scrub

Avocados are packed with vitamins and healthy fats, making them a perfect ingredient for moisturizing and nourishing the skin. Paired with sugar, this scrub provides gentle exfoliation while keeping the skin hydrated and soft.

Ingredients: 1/2 ripe avocado – 2 tablespoons of sugar

Instructions: Mash the avocado and mix it with sugar to form a paste. Massage the mixture onto damp skin in circular motions for about 1-2 minutes. After exfoliating, rinse with warm water. This scrub is great for dry or sensitive skin and can be used once a week.

Cucumber and Yogurt Scrub

Cucumber has cooling and soothing properties, making it perfect for sensitive skin. Paired with yogurt, which contains lactic acid, this scrub helps hydrate, exfoliate, and calm the skin, leaving it refreshed and bright.

Ingredients: 1/2 cucumber (pureed) – 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt

Instructions: Puree the cucumber and mix it with yogurt until it forms a smooth paste. Gently massage the paste onto damp skin for 1-2 minutes. Leave the scrub on for 3-5 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water.

Strawberry and Honey Scrub

Strawberries are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, which help brighten the skin. Combined with honey, this scrub moisturizes and exfoliates the skin, giving it a fresh and youthful appearance.

Ingredients: 2 ripe strawberries (mashed) – 1 tablespoon of honey

Instructions: Mash the strawberries and mix them with honey to form a paste. Apply the mixture to damp skin, gently massaging in circular motions for 1-2 minutes. Rinse off with warm water. Use this scrub once a week for the best results.

Sea Salt and Lemon Scrub

Sea salt is great for exfoliating, while lemon juice helps to brighten the skin with its high vitamin C content. This scrub can help remove dead skin cells and promote an even skin tone.

Ingredients: 1 tablespoon of sea salt – 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice

Instructions: Mix the sea salt and lemon juice until you get a gritty paste. Gently massage the paste onto damp skin in circular motions for 1-2 minutes. Rinse with warm water after exfoliating. This scrub can be used 1-2 times a week.

Coconut and Lime Scrub

Coconut sugar has a mild exfoliating effect, while lime juice helps to brighten and freshen up the skin. This scrub works well to brighten your complexion and cleanse your skin.

Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of coconut sugar – 1 tablespoon of lime juice

Instructions: Mix the coconut sugar and lime juice in a small bowl until well combined. Massage the mixture onto damp skin for 1-2 minutes. After massaging, rinse with warm water. This scrub is ideal for use once a week.

Green Tea and Honey Scrub

Green tea is full of antioxidants and can help to reduce inflammation while brightening the skin. Paired with honey, which has moisturizing properties, this scrub leaves the skin feeling nourished and rejuvenated.

Ingredients: 1 tablespoon of green tea leaves (dried) – 1 tablespoon of honey

Instructions: Mix the green tea leaves with honey to form a paste. Apply the paste to damp skin, massaging gently for about 1-2 minutes. Rinse off with warm water. This scrub can be used once a week for bright and clear skin.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.