Exfoliating Sugar Scrub Cubes

I’m in LOVE with these sugar scrub cubes!  They are so easy to make, smell incredible, and leave my skin feeling silky smooth.  Here’s just a few of the reasons I’m addicted to these little sugar scrub cubes:

exfoliating– Sugar is a gentle, but powerful, exfoliator that polishes my skin, sloughs away dead skin cells, and leaves it feeling soft and silky smooth.

moisturizing– These little cubes have a triple punch of moisturizers- shea butter (one of the best moisturizers out there), jojoba oil (amazing for skin), and glycerin (which helps to keep all that great moisture trapped in my skin).

antioxidants– nourish skin and helps fight premature aging

single use— Each little sugar scrub cube is good for one use.  Just grab a cube on your way into the shower.  It couldn’t be easier.

color and scent them any way you want– Because you’re making these yourself, you can customize them however you want.  Make a batch sea blue and use a lavender, lime, and spearmint essential oils for a calming and uplifting aroma that smells like a sea breeze.  Or color them yellow with a mix of rosemary and lemon essential oils for an energizing scent that makes you looks forward to your morning shower.  Or color them a light purple and scent with lavender and cedarwood essential oils for relaxing sugar scrub to use before bed.

super cute for gifting- You can wrap up each cube individually or package up an entire jar.  Either way, your friends will love this thoughtful (and very useful) gift!

 

Oh, my! I love this! Have you tried these? Exfoliating sugar scrub cubes are so easy to make and my skin has never been smoother. But what I really love is that there are recipes for essential oil blends for cellulite, calming, uplifting, energizing, and more! I'll be making more for me and to give as gifts.

 

What’s in These Exfoliating Sugar Scrub Cubes?

melt & pour glycerin soap: Not only is this soap moisturizing, it’s what makes “exfoliating sugar scrub cubes” solid.  The soap turns it from a traditional sugar scrub into individual cubes that hold their shape.

shea butter:  Intense moisturizer for dry skin, high in vitamins A and E as well as essential fatty acids.  note:  unrefined shea is best, but be careful of which brand you buy.  Many brands of shea butter can have a strong unpleasant smell.  click here for the shea butter I buy.  It’s creamy, moisturizing, and has a nice, subtle scent.  Other brands of shea butter can have a strong, kind of “funny” smell, not this one.  If you’re not a fan of other shea butters, give this one a try.  I think you’ll love it!  I do.

skin-nourishing liquid oil (pick ONE of these):  jojoba oil, avocado oil, sweet almond oil, rose hip seed oil, apricot kernel oil, or sunflower oil

vitamin e oil: A great antioxidant, helps fight premature aging of skin, restores and rejuvenates dehydrated skin

essential oil:  Scent and great therapeutic benefits.  Depending on which essential oils you choose, you can make sugar scrub cubes that will be energizing, calming, soothing, fight cellulite, and more.

organic cane sugar:  Sugar is what provides the gentle, but power exfoliation.  Sugar sloughs away dead skin cells, polishes the skin, and leaves it feeling soft and smooth.

mica powder:  Mica powder colors soap.  It comes in lots of wonderful colors!

 

How to Make Exfoliating Sugar Scrub Cubes {with essential oils}

step 1:  cut up 1 bar (1/2 pound) of melt & pour glycerin soap into small chunks

Oh, my! I love this! Have you tried these? Exfoliating sugar scrub cubes are so easy to make and my skin has never been smoother. But what I really love is that there are recipes for essential oil blends for cellulite, calming, uplifting, energizing, and more! I'll be making more for me and to give as gifts.

 

step 2:  add the soap to a large glass measuring cup or glass bowl

Oh, my! I love this! Have you tried these? Exfoliating sugar scrub cubes are so easy to make and my skin has never been smoother. But what I really love is that there are recipes for essential oil blends for cellulite, calming, uplifting, energizing, and more! I'll be making more for me and to give as gifts.

 

step 3:  melt soap using a double boiler or melt in microwave (cook for 30 seconds, stir, then if needed, cook again for 30 seconds)

Oh, my! I love this! Have you tried these? Exfoliating sugar scrub cubes are so easy to make and my skin has never been smoother. But what I really love is that there are recipes for essential oil blends for cellulite, calming, uplifting, energizing, and more! I'll be making more for me and to give as gifts.

 

step 4:  add 1/4 cup of shea butter and stir until it is completely melted and well mixed

Oh, my! I love this! Have you tried these? Exfoliating sugar scrub cubes are so easy to make and my skin has never been smoother. But what I really love is that there are recipes for essential oil blends for cellulite, calming, uplifting, energizing, and more! I'll be making more for me and to give as gifts.

 

step 5:  add 1/2 cup of jojoba oil (or you can use another skin-nurturing oil like avocado oil, sweet almond oil, rose hip seed oil, apricot kernel oil, or sunflower oil)

Oh, my! I love this! Have you tried these? Exfoliating sugar scrub cubes are so easy to make and my skin has never been smoother. But what I really love is that there are recipes for essential oil blends for cellulite, calming, uplifting, energizing, and more! I'll be making more for me and to give as gifts.

 

step 6:  add a few drops of vitamin E oil

Oh, my! I love this! Have you tried these? Exfoliating sugar scrub cubes are so easy to make and my skin has never been smoother. But what I really love is that there are recipes for essential oil blends for cellulite, calming, uplifting, energizing, and more! I'll be making more for me and to give as gifts.

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step 7:  add 30 drops of essential oil {use your favorite essential oil or see below for recipes for essential oil blends you may want to try– there are recipes for calming, uplifting, energizing, relaxing, and help improving cellulite}

Oh, my! I love this! Have you tried these? Exfoliating sugar scrub cubes are so easy to make and my skin has never been smoother. But what I really love is that there are recipes for essential oil blends for cellulite, calming, uplifting, energizing, and more! I'll be making more for me and to give as gifts.

 

step 8:  add 2 cups of organic cane sugar

note: once you add the sugar, the mixture will start to set up very quickly.  Make sure that you have your coloring and mold all ready to go so that once you add the sugar, you can add the coloring, mix well, and scoop into molds before the mixture sets up too much.

Oh, my! I love this! Have you tried these? Exfoliating sugar scrub cubes are so easy to make and my skin has never been smoother. But what I really love is that there are recipes for essential oil blends for cellulite, calming, uplifting, energizing, and more! I'll be making more for me and to give as gifts.

 

step 9 (optional):  add 1/4 teaspoon mica for coloring

Oh, my! I love this! Have you tried these? Exfoliating sugar scrub cubes are so easy to make and my skin has never been smoother. But what I really love is that there are recipes for essential oil blends for cellulite, calming, uplifting, energizing, and more! I'll be making more for me and to give as gifts.

 

step 10:  stir well, making sure in get down to the corners and the very bottom

Oh, my! I love this! Have you tried these? Exfoliating sugar scrub cubes are so easy to make and my skin has never been smoother. But what I really love is that there are recipes for essential oil blends for cellulite, calming, uplifting, energizing, and more! I'll be making more for me and to give as gifts.

 

step 11:  scoop sugar-scrub mixture into mold and smooth out with the back of a spoon

I used molds which are 3 inches by 3 inches by 1 inch tall (find them here or here).  You’ll see in a later step that I cut each large square into 9 little cubes which end up being 1 inch by 1 inch by 1 inch.  I think this is the perfect size for these solid sugar scrub cubes, but you can use any silicone mold that you have and cut them into a similar size.

Oh, my! I love this! Have you tried these? Exfoliating sugar scrub cubes are so easy to make and my skin has never been smoother. But what I really love is that there are recipes for essential oil blends for cellulite, calming, uplifting, energizing, and more! I'll be making more for me and to give as gifts.

 

step 12 (optional):  sprinkle a little extra sugar onto the top of each mold to give the sugar-scrub a little extra shimmer and sparkle

Oh, my! I love this! Have you tried these? Exfoliating sugar scrub cubes are so easy to make and my skin has never been smoother. But what I really love is that there are recipes for essential oil blends for cellulite, calming, uplifting, energizing, and more! I'll be making more for me and to give as gifts.

 

step 13:  let sugar-scrub cool completely and then unmold- you can speed up the cooling by popping the sugar-scrub into the freezer for about 30 minutes

Oh, my! I love this! Have you tried these? Exfoliating sugar scrub cubes are so easy to make and my skin has never been smoother. But what I really love is that there are recipes for essential oil blends for cellulite, calming, uplifting, energizing, and more! I'll be making more for me and to give as gifts.

 

step 14:  cut each sugar scrub square into 9 little squares.  To do this you’ll make 4 cuts in total, 2 cuts on each side.

Oh, my! I love this! Have you tried these? Exfoliating sugar scrub cubes are so easy to make and my skin has never been smoother. But what I really love is that there are recipes for essential oil blends for cellulite, calming, uplifting, energizing, and more! I'll be making more for me and to give as gifts.

 

step 15 (optional): roll sugar scrubs in a bowl of sugar to add more sparkle and shimmer

step 16:  store in an airtight container

Oh, my! I love this! Have you tried these? Exfoliating sugar scrub cubes are so easy to make and my skin has never been smoother. But what I really love is that there are recipes for essential oil blends for cellulite, calming, uplifting, energizing, and more! I'll be making more for me and to give as gifts.

 

Here’s the Recipe for Exfoliating Sugar Scrub Cubes {with essential oils}

1 bar (1/2 pound) of melt & pour glycerin soap

1/4 cup of shea butter

1/2 cup of jojoba oil (or you can use another skin-nurturing oil like avocado oil, sweet almond oil, rose hip seed oil, apricot kernel oil, or sunflower oil)

a few drops of vitamin E oil

30 drops of essential oil

2 cups of organic cane sugar

1/4 teaspoon mica for coloring

 

And Here’s a recap of the Step-by-Step Instructions

step 1:  cut up 1 bar (1/2 pound) of melt & pour glycerin soap into small chunks

step 2:  add the soap to a large glass measuring cup or glass bowl

step 3:  melt soap using a double boiler or melt in microwave (cook for 30 seconds, stir, then if needed, cook again for 30 seconds)

step 4:  add 1/4 cup of shea butter and stir until it is completely melted and well mixed

step 5:  add 1/2 cup of jojoba oil (or you can use another skin-nurturing oil like avocado oil, sweet almond oil, rose hip seed oil, apricot kernel oil, or sunflower oil)

step 6:  add a few drops of vitamin E oil

step 7:  add 30 drops of essential oil {use your favorite essential oil or see below for recipes for essential oil blends you may want to try}

step 8:  add 2 cups of organic cane sugar

note: once you add the sugar, the mixture will start to set up very quickly.  Make sure that you have your coloring and mold all ready to go so that once you add the sugar, you can add the coloring, mix well, and scoop into molds before the mixture sets up too much.

step 9 (optional):  add 1/4 teaspoon mica for coloring

step 10:  stir well, making sure in get down to the corners and the very bottom

step 11:  scoop sugar-scrub mixture into mold and smooth out with the back of a spoon

I used molds which are 3 inches by 3 inches by 1 inch tall (find them here or here).  You’ll see in a later step that I cut each large square into 9 little cubes which end up being 1 inch by 1 inch by 1 inch.  I think this is the perfect size for these solid sugar scrub cubes, but you can use any silicone mold that you have and cut them into a similar size.

step 12 (optional):  sprinkle a little extra sugar onto the top of each mold to give the sugar-scrub a little extra shimmer and sparkle

step 13:  let sugar-scrub cool completely and then unmold- you can speed up the cooling by popping the sugar-scrub into the freezer for about 30 minutes

step 14:  cut each sugar scrub square into 9 little squares.  To do this you’ll make 4 cuts in total, 2 cuts on each side.  This recipe makes 36 cubes; that’s enough for 36 showers.

step 15 (optional): roll sugar scrubs in a bowl of sugar to add more sparkle and shimmer

step 16:  store in an airtight container

 

How to Use Exfoliating Sugar Scrub Cubes

Use one cube per shower — Wash hair and skin as normal, then before leaving shower, rub a sugar scrub cube over skin using small circular motions.  Focus efforts on arms, legs, and back.  After scrubbing for a minute or so, I smoosh the cube in my hand.  This exposes more of the sugar and increases the exfoliation.

rinse well to remove all traces of sugar from your skin

pat skin dry with a soft towel

 

Ideas for Colors and Essential Oil Blends for Exfoliating Sugar Scrub Cubes

color them sea blue and use a 12 drops lavender essential oil, 12 drops lime essential oil, and 6 drops spearmint essential oil for a calming and uplifting aroma that smells like a sea breeze.

color them yellow with a mix of 10 drops rosemary essential oil and 20 drops lemon essential oil for an energizing scent that makes you looks forward to your morning shower.

color them a light purple and scent with 20 drops lavender essential oil and 10 drops cedarwood essential oil for relaxing sugar scrub to use before bed.

color them pink and scent with 12 drops grapefruit essential oil, 4 drops cypress essential oil, 12 drops juniper berry essential oil, and 4 drops rosemary essential oil to help improve cellulite

color them peach and scent with 10 drops orange essential oil, 10 drops bergamot essential oil, 5 drops ylang ylang essential oil, and 5 drops lavender essential oil for an uplifting aroma

 

Where to Get Supplies to Make Exfoliating Sugar Scrub Cubes

silicone molds that are 3 inches by 3 inches by 1 inch tall — find them here or here

melt & pour glycerin soap

shea butter – This is my “go to” shea butter. I love how it makes deodorants and lotions so smooth and moisturizing. Just what my dry skin needs more of!

jojoba oil , avocado oil, sweet almond oil, rose hip seed oil, apricot kernel oil, or sunflower oil  – these are the ones I use.  Most are organic, all natural, and of the highest quality while still at a reasonable price.

vitamin E oil – This is the best vitamin e oil that I’ve found.  While many vitamin e oils are only a tiny amount of vitamin e diluted with a lost cost, low quality oil.  This one is my favorite because it is a high concentration of vitamin e (15,000 IU) in high quality, organic jojoba, avocado, and rice bran oil.

mica for coloring

 

Hope you have fun making and using these sugar scrub cubes!  It’s one of my new favorite essential oil DIYs, and I think it might become one of yours, too.

 

Oh, my! I love this! Have you tried these? Exfoliating sugar scrub cubes are so easy to make and my skin has never been smoother. But what I really love is that there are recipes for essential oil blends for cellulite, calming, uplifting, energizing, and more! I'll be making more for me and to give as gifts.

 

You might also like these other recipes and posts on using essential oils…

Soft & Silky Whipped Body Butter

DIY face serum for your skin type {dry, oily, sensitive, mature, acne-prone, and normal}

3-Ingredient DIY Peppermint Foot Cream {to refresh tired feet}

31 Genius Essential Oil Tips & Hacks

How to Make Bubbling Bath Salts with essential oils

20 Favorite Roller Bottle Recipes {with free printable labels}

DIY Sugar Scrub with essential oils {for the softest, smoothest skin ever}

 

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Sarah Lewis

A little thing about me: I 💙 essential oils. I also love using my background in research to help people learn more about essential oils and all the wonderful ways they can be used. I share DIY recipes for natural cleaners that really work, non-toxic beauty solutions, and holistic wellness. My essential oil recipes, info, and tips have been viewed more than 20 million times. I've been featured on MindBodyGreen, Health & Natural Living, All Natural Ideas, This Natural Home, Natural Living Ideas, and Passion for Savings.
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