Skin-Softening Mermaid Sugar Scrub Recipe - Only 3 Ingredients! (2024)

This sparkly DIY Mermaid Sugar Scrub will have your skin feeling softer in no time! Made with simple ingredients, it’s a gentle way to exfoliate and makes a cute DIY gift idea!

DIY Sugar Scrub – Mermaid Style!

We all secretly want to feel like Ariel from The Little Mermaid sometimes. This sparkly, scented DIYMermaid Sugar Scrubrecipe will leave you feeling like a mermaid, even if you aren’t anywhere near the ocean!

The beautiful blue and purple sugar sprinkles combine to create a look like the swirling ocean, and the scents of coconut and lavender will transport you to the beach!

This DIY sugar scrub recipe is easy to make at home with simple kitchen ingredients, and is safer way to exfoliate than many chemical concoctions!

All you need are 4 simple ingredients and 5 minutes! Makes a great homemade gift idea!

Related: For more bath time fun, try our homemade soap crayons recipe!

What is a Sugar Scrub?

A sugar scrub is a skin care product designed to gently and naturally cleanse and exfoliate the skin. The sugar granules slough away dead skin cells, revealing soft, smooth skin beneath — that’s also where the name comes from.

Sugar scrubs are a safe alternative to plastic microbeads, which used to be a common ingredient in body and face washes. Microbeads are banned in many countries now due to the fact that they pollute the environment.

Sugar dissolves naturally in water, so it does not cause issues with our water supply. It’s also much gentler on skin.

How to Use Sugar Scrub

Use 1-2 times per week to remove dead skin cells and prevent rough, dry skin.

Sugar scrubs are best used on the body, especially rough patches on elbows, knees, and feet. Dermatologists don’t recommend using sugar scrubs on the face, as the large particles might be too rough for sensitive facial skin.

To use: In the shower, cleanse and rinse skin as normal. Gently massage sugar scrub into wet skin, then rinse and pat dry.

Sugar scrubs are also an excellent way to exfoliate the lips — try our Homemade Vanilla Honey Lip Scrub recipe!

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Mermaid Sugar Scrub Ingredients

• Granulated White Sugar — The sugar granules are what work magic to exfoliate dead, dry skin cells!
• Coconut Oil — This is the base for our sugar scrub, and also serves to moisturize the skin. Coconut oil is one of my favorite ways to heal dry skin naturally!
• Blue and/or Green Food Coloringor Soap Dye — Just a couple drops for a fun mermaid experience!
• Blue and/or Purple Sugar Sprinkles (optional) — For a shimmery effect! These are also exfoliants like the white sugar.
• Lavender Essential Oil (optional) — For a calming spa experience. Lavender is revered for its relaxing properties and promoting restful sleep.

We also added these “Under the Sea” glitter sprinkles to our scrub for a beautiful mermaid color effect. So pretty!

How to Make Sugar Scrub (Pro Tips!)

Start by combining coconut oil and sugar in a mixing bowl.

• If your sugar scrub seemss too runny, simply add more sugar.
• If the scrub is dry and crumbly, add more coconut oil until you a spread-able consistency.

Next, add food coloring. Start with 1-2 drops and mix well. You can always add more as desired, but if you add too much right away, you’ll have a scrub that is super dark and could stain the skin.

It may take a few minutes to work all of the food color into the scrub so that it is evenly distributed.

Now it’s time to add the sprinkles!A pinch of sugar sprinkles or sanding sugar adds color and helps exfoliate. However, the scrub will work just as well without this decorative sugar, should you not have any on hand.

BONUS: Essential oils, such as lavender, creates a calming, aromatherapy enriched experience. We added a couple drops of lavender to our recipe. Feel free to use your favorite essential oil, or none if you prefer a subtle coconut fragrance.

How to Store

Always store your sugar scrub in an air-tight container to prevent drying out or contamination. With careful storage, a homemade sugar scrub can last up to 6 months.

You can keep your scrub at room temperature (for easier spreading) as long as it is in a sealed container.

Our recipe makes about two small mason jar’s worth. If you want to make a bigger batch with a classroom or for gifting, simply multiply the ingredients using the same ratios we used. Honestly, you can’t really “mess up” as you can easily adjust the ingredients as needed until you have the perfect consistency.

How Long Do Sugar Scrubs Stay Good?

This depends on how you use them. I recommend using a clean spoon or even a wooden craft stick to scoop the scrub for each use, as opposed to scooping with your fingers. This avoids contaminating the jar of scrub with any dirt or germs on your skin.

At room temperature, in a sealed container, sugar scrubs can last for a couple months. They can last up to 6 months in the fridge.

To be safe, give your scrub a quick sniff to make sure it still smells good before using. If it smells “off” then it’s time to toss it!

Mermaid Sugar Scrub Recipe (Printable Copy)

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