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    Home » Wellness Tips » DIY Skincare

    DIY Exfoliating Sugar Scrub Cubes (For Body & Legs)

    Modified: Jun 26, 2025 · by Shelby Stover · This post may contain affiliate links · 19 Comments

    Pinterest image with text: sugar scrub cubes in heart form with lmeon and orange and a cup of sugar behind them
    Pinterest image with text: sugar scrub cubes in heart form with lmeon and orange and a cup of sugar behind them
    Pinterest image with text: two images of heart shaped sugar scrubs the bottom of scrubs in the mold
    Pinterest image with text: heart-shaped sugar scrubs with sugar and lemon behind them

    Scrub and moisturize with DIY exfoliating sugar scrub cubes! These DIY sugar scrubs come in individual cubes and are made with soap, sugar, and oil. Meaning, they cleanse, remove dirt and leave your legs and body silky smooth all at once.

    Learn how to make sugar scrubs and whip up a big batch for yourself or use them as part of a homemade gift like spa baskets.

    Pinterest image with text: heart-shaped sugar scrubs with sugar and lemon behind them

    Save time in your shower routine with these DIY exfoliating sugar scrub cubes! Not only do these homemade sugar scrubs do a bit of everything, but they also come in individual form.

    No more reaching into a jar of scrub and worrying about mold. Just grab one of these cubes for each shower and be done with it.

    The best part about these sugar scub cubes is that they:

    • contain soap which means they lather and clean
    • use sugar to gently exfoliate
    • are coconut oil-based so that your skin feels like silk

    These sugar scrub cubes make it so you don't need multiple products, just one cube will get the job done!

    The Most Hilarious Fail

    Now, there's actually quite a story regarding this scrub. A hilarious story that I can't help but share. If you're looking for a bit of a laugh stay with me.

    I've never made DIY sugar scrubs before. So when I set out to try I purchased a block of goats milk melt and pour soap and got to it. Everything I read said how easy they were.

    I've never used any soap-making products before so I had no idea what to expect. With my first batch, I put the ingredients into a jar in the toaster oven to melt. I made the mistake of thinking I could grab the jar with one oven mitt.

    And proceeded to pour the mixture all over my toaster oven.

    I got through the end of the recipe but when it came time to pour into the molds it was like effing cement glue. It solidified almost instantly and everything looked crappy.

    On my next attempt, I spilled the soap in the toaster over and proceeded to practically light it on fire. It was smoking and reeked of burnt soap. I actually had to tell my training client to "come in and ignore the smoke".

    The third attempt I switched to a double boiler and halfway through melting the jar cracked and broke. ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME. 

    Attempt four, I used a measuring cup in the pot. When I went to add the sugar the cup was too small and it overflowed blue tar-like stuff all over my stove and floor.

    At this point, I Really. Truly. Hated them.

    But I preserved. By batch six I finally had a recipe I loved. The downside is I also had eight batches of random goop I was trying to pass off to friends.

    How Do You Make Exfoliating Sugar Scrubs

    The trick I learned with homemade sugar scrub cubes is to use bar soap and grate it. This way it eliminates any hardening issue. 

    Likewise, it also leaves your skin feeling much more nourished than a melt and pour base.

    To make the sugar scrub cubes all you need to do is melt down the ingredients, whisk in the sugar and portion into molds. 

    You do need to move quickly though. Once portioned, let them sit overnight so that they firm up nicely and you can pop them out of the mold.

    Pinterest image with text: sugar scrub cubes in heart form with lmeon and orange and a cup of sugar behind them

    Can You Make Them Without Soap?

    Yes! I actually use these individual salt scrub cubes frequently. They're made with only four ingredients and don't contain the soap aspect.

    However, this also means that they only exfoliate and moisturize.

    Personally, I prefer these exfoliating sugar cubes a bit better as I find that they're softer on the skin. Also, I like that they work into a little lather which saves me a step in the shower.

    Texture Of The Scrubs

    These sugar scrub cubes come out extremely soft. This is mostly due to using white sugar.

    While you can use other sugars, you want to make sure you grind it down to more of a powder. Chunky sugar will be a bit harsher on your body and legs. This is often an issue when people use salt for scrubs

    Likewise, the bigger surface volume may make it so that the cubes don't hold together as well.

    These cubes are also delicate. They will crumble in your hand easily so take care with them! Their delicate nature is what makes them easy to rub into your skin.

    Scenting The Cubes

    There are two ways to add scent to this DIY sugar scrub recipe.

    Personally, I prefer to omit essential oils and just use zest or rinds I have on hand. Likewise, you can omit the scent altogether!

    The ingredients themselves give off a nice honey scent if you prefer that.

    Of course, you can also add in essential oils. Make sure to do your research regarding safe essential oils as well as your preferred dilution rate. Especially if using them with kids.

    I like t use essential oils from Plant Therapy as they carry a kid-safe line specifically.

    How To Use Them

    When you're in the shower simply grab a cube and run your hand through the water. Then, press the cube (in your hand) onto your body and start to rub back and forth as you would with any soap.

    Move slowly and press down. 

    The cube will begin to lather, breakdown and you'll feel it exfoliate your skin.

    Tips & FAQ's

    These cubes can be stored in a jar in the cupboard for a few weeks. So long as you don't get water in the jar they last a while.

    Depending on your mold and how big you make the cubes, you may need 2-3 cubes per shower (I make minis).

    The cubes do contain coconut oil. Thus, take care moving around in the shower as they can make the tub slippery!

    Heart shaped homemade sugar scrubs with orange, lemon and sugar behind them

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    The DIY Beauty Ebook For Busy Moms contains 21 easy-to-make beauty recipes from lip chaps, to lotions, and scrubs to washes.

    Image a homemade body butter with text on the image.

    You'll also learn the exact tricks I stumbled through on my journey and how to avoid them.

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    How To Make The DIY Sugar Scrubs

    Combine the soap and oil in a double boiler over medium heat and begin to melt. Add in half the orange and lemon zest.

    Orange and lemon zest with coconut oil in a mason jar in a pot of water

    Stir every so often but know that the soap won't melt solid. You'll know it's done (about twelve to fifteen minutes) when the oil is melted but the soap still looks slightly "chunky". 

    While the mixture is melting, divide the tablespoon of cane sugar into the bottom of the molds. You just want a light sprinkle.

    Sugar divided into heart shaped silicone mold

    Then pour the white sugar into a large bowl )if using essential oils and not zest, add them into the sugar and mix well). Add in the remaining zest.

    A glass bowl of sugar with orange and lemon zest in it and a zester on top

    Once your oil mixture is melted pour the it into the bowl of sugar and mix with a fork until all of the sugar is coated and wet. This is where you can add any color you like too.

    Glass bowl of sugar and fruit zest with melted soup poured into it

    Using a spoon portion and press the sugar scrubs into the molds (press down hard so they hold together).

    Heart shaped molds filled with homemade sugar scrub

    Place the molds in the fridge for thirty minutes to set.

    Makes 12 cubes depending on the molds.

    Tip: I've used regular white sugar for the bulk of this recipe as it tends to be softer on the skin. But if you like something a little more intense sub it for organic cane sugar as the granules are a bit bigger.

     

    Featured image: heart-shaped sugar scrubs with sugar and lemon behind them
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    Homemade Citrus Sugar Scrub Cubes

    Scrub and moisturize with DIY exfoliating sugar scrub cubes! These DIY sugar scrubs come in individual cubes and are made with soap, sugar, and oil.
    Prep Time 30 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 30 minutes minutes
    1 hour hour
    Total Time 2 hours hours
    Servings 7 scrubs
    Author Shelby Stover
    Cost $4.00

    Equipment

    • Double boiler or mason jar
    • Mini Whisk
    • Silicone mold

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup grated shae butter soap you can find this at your local health food store or bulk barn
    • ¼ cup coconut oil measured solid
    • 1 cup white sugar
    • zest of one lemon
    • zest of one orange
    • 1 tablespoon cane sugar for topping
    • 15 drops lemon essential oil
    • Silicone cube or circle tray

    Instructions

    • Combine the soap and oil in a double boiler over medium heat and begin to melt. Add in the orange and lemon zest.
      Sugar, orange peel, and beeswax in a jar in a pot of water.
    • Stir every so often but know that the soap won't melt solid. You'll know it's done (about twelve to fifteen minutes) when the oil is melted but the soap still looks slightly "chunky". 
    • While the mixture is melting, divide the tablespoon of cane sugar into the bottom of the molds. You just want a light sprinkle.
      Homemade sugar scrubs recipe in process image
    • Then pour the white sugar into a large bowl )if using essential oils and not zest, add them into the sugar and mix well). Add remaining zest into the sugar.
      Homemade sugar scrubs recipe in process image
    • Once your oil mixture is melted pour the it into the bowl of sugar and mix with a fork until all of the sugar is coated and wet. This is where you can add any color you like too.
      Homemade sugar scrubs recipe in process image
    • Using a spoon portion and press the sugar scrubs into the molds (press down hard so they hold together).
      Homemade sugar scrubs recipe in process image
    • Place the molds in the fridge for thirty minutes to set.

    Video

    Notes

    •  I've used regular white sugar for the bulk of this recipe as it tends to be softer on the skin. But if you like something a little more intense sub it for organic cane sugar as the granules are a bit bigger. Makes 7-10 scrubs depending on the mold.
    • These cubes can be stored in a jar in the cupboard for a few weeks. So long as you don't get water in the jar they last a while.
    • Depending on your mold and how big you make the cubes, you may need 2-3 cubes per shower (I make minis).
    • The cubes do contain coconut oil. Thus, take care of moving around in the shower as they can make the tub slippery!
    • Not sure where to grab ingredients? Here's a roundup list of my favorite products (and brands) for DIY beauty products and where to buy them!
    Heart shaped sugar scrubs with sugar, orange and lemon behind them

    So there you are a homemade moisturizing, exfoliating orange lemon sugar scrubs recipe perfectly portioned and ready to go (finally). They're quick, simple, and smell deliciously of citrus. They make it easy for busy moms to pamper themselves and work great as gifts for other mamas too!

    More Diy Skin Care Products For Busy Moms

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    Comments

    1. Melissa@Real Nutritious Living says

      February 06, 2018 at 9:11 pm

      These are a must try! So exited ?

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        February 07, 2018 at 10:50 am

        It took a while haha but I love them now!

        Reply
    2. Alana says

      July 10, 2017 at 11:23 pm

      Haha... isn't recipe development fun?! I've been making my own body moisturizer for awhile but haven't ventured into scrubs. Yours looks awesome!

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        July 11, 2017 at 12:08 am

        It's interesting haha I've been doing lotions/lip chaps for a while but this was my first time with scrubs (clearly lol) I'm glad I finally figured it out but I was getting so eye twitchy! lol

        Reply
    3. Luci says

      July 06, 2017 at 7:27 pm

      I bet the lemon scrub smells delightful.

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        July 07, 2017 at 12:38 am

        They do! I LOVE the smell of lemon too so I'm a bit biased lol

        Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        July 07, 2017 at 12:42 am

        They do- but I love the smell of lemon so I may be biased haha

        Reply
    4. Tomislav Djukic says

      July 05, 2017 at 11:09 pm

      They look amazing I will try to make them! 🙂
      Thanks for sharing! 🙂

      Thomas's Wonderland

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        July 06, 2017 at 12:36 am

        Enjoy them! They smell awesome 🙂

        Reply
    5. Olivia says

      July 05, 2017 at 9:47 pm

      These look awesome!! I can't wait to make these, I think once I do, I'll give them as gifts to my bridal party 🙂 I love homemade gifts :))

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        July 06, 2017 at 12:36 am

        That's such a cute/thoughtful gift! What about pairing it with a lip balm? So sweet

        Reply
    6. Christine says

      July 05, 2017 at 5:22 pm

      Oh, great touch putting your disaster in! It could have been a lot worse. I adore these recipes and will certainly be making the sugar scrub.

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        July 06, 2017 at 12:37 am

        Haha it was definitely a little bit eye twitchy but worth it in the end! Enjoy the scrubs!

        Reply
    7. Moe says

      July 05, 2017 at 11:22 am

      OH my goodness!! We've all been there with an epic craft fail! These turned out great though. I have a goal of getting some DIY soap/skincare/body care projects done. Great recipe!

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        July 05, 2017 at 2:20 pm

        It was epic alright. I personally love making my own products.. normally haha

        Reply
    8. Elizabeth says

      July 04, 2017 at 2:33 pm

      I loved your post! Sounds like quite an adventure. I will have to try making these. I have all of the ingredients.

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        July 04, 2017 at 5:05 pm

        Haha adventure is an understatement lol but they did turn out nice! The downside is that I refuse to waste any of the bad batches so I have like 40 at home right now that I grind into my skin lol - hopefully this helps to make it easier when you make them!

        Reply
    9. Chelsea says

      July 03, 2017 at 6:46 pm

      I really want to scrub my face with these lemon/sugar scrubs. I'm not quite sure I want to make them though lol. I don't have a double boiler, so melting stuff down isn't something I can do at this time. I am making my skin care more of a priority and definitely agree with wanting more natural products. I just need someone to make them for me!
      -Chelsea

      Reply
      • fitasamamabear says

        July 03, 2017 at 11:12 pm

        Haha I personally like them on my legs and tummy the best! Depending on your skin you may not enjoy them on your face (they do have oil in them). As for a double boiler, just use a small pot filled with about 1-2 inches of water and place a glass jar in it instead (obviously make sure it`s a good quality mason jar otherwise it cracks). No need for a double boiler. Love that you`re switching to natural products! I make half of mine and purchase some 🙂

        Reply

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    I'm Shelby, a Certified Strength & Nutrition Coach who has spent the last 10 years helping women feel more comfortable in their skin though home strength training and healthy food- no diets, no shortcuts

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