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DIY Sugar Scrub Cubes (3 Recipes for Fall)

Learn how to make three fall-inspired DIY sugar scrub cubes: fall bouquet, cinnamon churro and caffè mocha. These easy to make sugar scrub cubes exfoliate, moisturize and cleanse your skin all in one simple step. They’re made with melt and pour soap, shea butter and coconut oil for gentle cleansing. Plus, they’re scented with essential oils and dried flowers so they’re both non-toxic and all-natural.

DIY sugar scrub cubes for fall

Sugar scrubs are hands down one of the easiest beauty DIYs. If you’re new to the DIY beauty scene and want to make something slightly more impressive than your standard sugar scrub, then this homemade sugar scrub cube recipe is a great starting point.

Benefits of Sugar Scrub Cubes

These DIY sugar scrub cubes are sized perfectly for individual use. They can be easily customized and make exfoliating quick and convenient.

Like your standard sugar scrub recipe, these scrub cubes gently exfoliate, leaving your skin smoother and softer. Gentle exfoliation is important in your skincare routine as it can help remove dead skin cells, aid in unclogging pores and help your moisturizer or serums penetrate more readily.

Ingredients for DIY Sugar Scrub Cubes

Sugar

The base of these homemade sugar scrub cubes is of course sugar. Sugar is often touted as a natural form of the AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid) glycolic acid.

AHAs or glycolic acid are common ingredients in anti-aging skincare products due to their ability to encourage cell turnover and generate smoother, younger-looking skin.

However, it’s important to note that sugar alone is unlikely to offer the same benefits as a properly formulated skincare product containing glycolic acid, such as this at-home chemical peel.

Sugar is also a natural humectant which means it will draw and retain moisture from the air. Since humectants are hydrating, they help counteract the dehydrating properties of other skincare ingredients such as soap or alcohol.

Homemade sugar scrub cubes on cutting board

Shea Butter

Shea butter is an ideal ingredient for DIY body products due to its shelf stability and emollient properties. It’s comprised primarily of skin-softening monounsaturated fatty acids like stearic and oleic acid.

Shea butter is also high in fat-soluble antioxidant vitamin E, which helps protect skin against oxidative stress. It’s important to replenish vitamin E if your skin is particularly dry, as skin that lacks sebum also lacks vitamin E.

When used in sugar scrub cubes, shea butter leaves a moisturizing layer that helps preserve the integrity of the skin barrier. It also helps the skin retain moisture after bathing.

Ideally, you should choose raw or unrefined shea butter that has all of its beneficial properties intact. However, if you’re not a fan of shea butter’s earthy, nutty scent, you can use naturally refined shea butter that has been processed without chemical solvents.

Coconut Oil

These individually sized exfoliating sugar cubes are incredibly nourishing for your skin due to the addition of coconut oil. However, if you’re not a fan of coconut oil, you can also substitute another butter or oil such as deodorized cocoa butter.

(Unrefined cocoa butter’s rich, chocolatey scent is lovely, but you don’t want it to interfere with the scent of your sugar scrub cubes, which is why deodorized cocoa butter is a better choice for this recipe.)

Also, remember that coconut oil will melt in hot or humid weather. Therefore, depending on the weather in your area, you may need to substitute the coconut oil for cocoa butter at certain times during the year.

That said, coconut oil is a favourite beauty DIY ingredient for a variety of reasons. It’s affordable, highly versatile, easily accessible and has both anti-fungal and antibacterial properties.

Be sure the coconut oil you choose is organic, cold-pressed and virgin to ensure it retains all its benefits.

Caffe mocha, cinnamon churro and fall bouquet sugar scrub cubes

Coconut oil is also low in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which makes it more shelf-stable than butters such as soy butter or grapeseed butter.

Instead, coconut oil is comprised of saturated fatty acids, which are far more resistant to oxidation by light, heat, and oxygen over their polyunsaturated counterparts.

Not only do easily oxidized oils have a shorter shelf life, but they can also contribute to free radical skin damage. Some research has suggested that it’s preferable to use saturated and monounsaturated carrier oils and butters in skincare formulations over less stable polyunsaturated oils.

To learn more about this subject, which can invoke differing opinions, see our article on polyunsaturated oils and skin-aging.

But don’t just take our word for it. David Pollock, a chemist and creator of many well-known beauty products, also believes that polyunsaturated oils can lead to skin aging. You can read his thoughts on the subject of PUFA’s in skincare here.

Melt and Pour Soap

Melt and pour soap is a soap base that has already undergone the saponification process. Soap is created by combining fatty acids (fats and oils) and lye. The resulting chemical reaction between these ingredients is called saponification.

SInce melt and pour soap has already gone through the process of saponification, it’s ideal for beginners as it doesn’t require the safety equipment needed for handling lye.

Melt and pour base also doesn’t necessitate the long curing times involved in traditional soap making.

Grated melt and pour soap

Melt and pour soap bases come in a variety of options. The name of the soap usually indicates the primary oil that was used to create it. The varieties you might want to experiment with include:

When picking a melt and pour soap base for this homemade scrub cube recipe, keep in mind that clear bases (such as aloe or glycerin) are better for creating brighter colored sugar scrub cubes, while the white melt and pour varieties (such as shea butter or goat’s milk) are ideal if you prefer lighter, more muted tones.

I used shea butter melt and pour for creating the fall bouquet and caffè mocha flavours and aloe melt and pour for the cinnamon churro sugar scrub cube flavour.

DIY Sugar Scrub Cubes Recipe

DIY fall bouquet sugar scrub cubes

Fall Bouquet Sugar Scrub Cubes

1/2 cup shea butter
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1 cup cane sugar
1 cup grated unscented soap or melt and pour soap base
3 tbsp calendula flowers
2 tbsp lavender flowers or 5 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops verbena essential oil

Homemade cinnamon churro sugar scrub cubes

Cinnamon Churro Sugar Scrub Cubes

1/2 cup shea butter
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1 cup cane sugar (or brown sugar for a warmer tone)
1 cup grated unscented soap or melt and pour soap base
12 drops vanilla oleoresin
8 drops cinnamon bark essential oil

Homemade coffee mocha sugar scrub cubes

Caffe Mocha Sugar Scrub Cubes

1/2 cup shea butter
2 tablespoons bacuri butter
1 cup cane sugar or brown sugar
1 cup grated unscented soap or melt and pour soap base
2 tbsp coffee grounds
15 drops vanilla oleoresin
10 drops cacao absolute

Supplies

Cheese grater
Glass mixing bowl
Mixing spoon
Double boiler or a pot and heat-safe bowl
Silicone mold or other baking mold
Airtight glass container for storage

How to make fall DIY sugar scrub cubes

  1. Grate or chop your melt and pour soap base. You can also opt to grate and melt regular bar soap as well, but it won’t be as easy to work with as melt and pour base.
  2. Melt the soap base in a small saucepan on low heat. Alternatively, you can also use a heat-safe glass bowl over a pot of boiling water to create a makeshift double boiler. You can also use your microwave. We tend to avoid using our microwave, but if you use this method, carefully melt the soap slowly in 15-20 second increments and stir frequently.
  3. Next, add the shea butter and coconut oil (or bacuri butter for the caffè mocha flavour) and mix well. Allow the mixture to cool down slightly before proceeding to the next step as you don’t want your sugar to melt.
  4. Once the mixture is not too hot, add the sugar and stir the mixture quickly and thoroughly. Then, add the essential oils and mix again. If making the fall bouquet or caffè mocha sugar scrub cubes, add the dried flowers or coffee grounds during this step.
  5. Finally, scoop the sugar scrub mixture in to your clean and dry silicone molds. You can also try using small muffin tins or icecube trays if you don’t have a silicone mold on hand.
  6. Place the silicone molds in the freezer for approximately 30 mintues.
  7. Pop the sugar cubes out carefully onto a clean cutting board. Store the cubes in an air tight glass container. This recipe should yield approximately 20 sugar scrub cubes. Although, this will depend on the size of mold you choose.

Sugar scrub cubes in silicone mold

Recipe notes

You will want to have your molds close by before you begin combining your ingredients as the mixture will harden fairly quickly. Therefore, remember to scoop your scrub mixture into your molds as quickly as possible.

If making the cinnamon churro sugar scrub cubes, you can opt to use brown sugar instead of regular cane sugar to give the cubes a darker, warmer tone.

Essential Oil Combinations for Fall Sugar Scrub Cubes

Fall Bouquet

10 drops of verbena essential oil
5 drops lavender essential oil

Fall sugar scrub cubes with calendula and lavender

Caffè Mocha

15 drops vanilla oleoresin
10 drops cacao essential oil

Homemade coffee sugar scrub cubes

Cinnamon Churro

10 drops cinnamon bark essential oil
5 drops vanilla oleoresin

Homemade cinnamon churro sugar scrub cubes

How to use DIY Sugar Scrub Cubes

Before bathing, take one or two cubes into the shower or bath with you.

Crush the sugar scrub cubes in your hand and gently massage over damp skin. Massage in a clockwise circular motion to encourage lymphatic drainage. Concentrate on any dry or rough patches, and rinse with warm water only.

Use your fall sugar scrub cubes 1-2 times per week or whenever you want a little extra pampering.

Using a homemade sugar scrub cube

As always with DIY bath and body products that don’t contain preservatives, remember to avoid introducing water into the storage jar, as water will shorten the life of your scrub cubes.

For best results, keep the storage jar in a cool, dry place and take the sugar scrub cubes individually into the shower or bath.

Always use care when using any bath and body product containing oil in the shower or bath as oil will make surfaces slippery.

Floral sugar scrub cubes for fall

Fall sugar scrub cubes
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5 from 2 votes

DIY Sugar Scrub Cubes (3 Recipes for Fall)

Learn how to make three fall-inspired DIY sugar scrub cubes: fall bouquet, cinnamon churro and caffè mocha. These easy to make sugar scrub cubes exfoliate, moisturize and cleanse your skin all in one simple step.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Course: DIY Body Care
Cuisine: DIY Beauty
Servings: 20 cubes
Author: Kim

What You'll Need

Fall Bouquet Sugar Scrub Cubes

Cinnamon Churro Sugar Scrub Cubes

Caffè Mocha Sugar Scrub Cubes

Instructions

  • Grate your bar soap using a cheese grater. If you opt to use melt and pour soap base, you can grate it or chop it.
  • Melt the soap in a small saucepan on low heat. Alternatively, you can also use a heat-safe glass bowl over a pot of boiling water to create a makeshift double boiler. You can also use your microwave. We tend to avoid using our microwave, but if you use this method, carefully melt the soap slowly in 15-20 second increments and stir frequently.
  • Next, add the shea butter and coconut oil (or bacuri butter) and mix well. Allow the mixture to cool down slightly before proceeding to the next step as you don't want your sugar to melt.
  • Once the mixture is cooler, add the sugar and stir the mixture quickly and thoroughly. Then, add then essential oils and mix well. If making the fall bouquet sugar scrub cubes, add the dried flowers during this step.
  • Finally, scoop the sugar scrub mixture in to your clean and dry silicone molds. You can also try using small muffin tins if you don't have a silicone mold on hand.
  • Place the silicone molds in the freezer for approximately 30 mintues.
  • Pop the sugar cubes out carefully onto a clean cutting board. Store the cubes in an air tight glass container.

Notes

You will want to have your molds close by before you begin combining your ingredients as the mixture will harden fairly quickly. Therefore, remember to scoop your scrub mixture into your molds as quickly as possible.
If making the cinnamon churro sugar scrub cubes, you can opt to use brown sugar instead of regular cane sugar to give the cubes a darker, warmer tone.

More DIY Bath and Body Recipes

If you enjoyed this sugar scrub cube recipe, you may also enjoy some of our other homemade sugar scrub recipes or DIY bath and body recipes:

For even more natural DIY bath and body ideas, follow us on Pinterest! You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Even More Fall Beauty Recipes

We also wanted to share some of our favourite autumn-inspired DIY beauty gift ideas from our blogging friends. These recipes are not only a great addition to your fall self-care routine, but they would also make for beautiful homemade gifts for the bath and beauty lover in your life.

Homemade fall skincare recipes

DIY Pumpkin Spice Bath Bombs – 3 Fall Bath Bomb Recipes

Celebrate autumn with three fall bath bomb recipes from Country Hill Cottage. Pumpkin spice, pumpkin spice latte and pumpkin pie bath bombs create cozy fall vibes while you relax in the tub.

Fall Essential Oil Blends for Soaps (Plus A Fall Soap Recipe with Cocoa Butter)

As we transition from summer into fall, our skin’s needs change. With cooler temperatures and drier air, we can all use extra hydration in our skin care routine. This fall soap recipe from Soap Deli News not only looks the part for the new season, it’s also made with 25% moisturizing cocoa butter so skin looks and feels amazing!

Apple Pie Spice Oatmeal Doughnut Soaps

Turn hotel soaps into these adorable apple pie spice oatmeal doughnut soaps from Everything Pretty. These rebatched soaps are easy to make with bars of soap, ground oatmeal, and an apple pie spice essential oil blend.

Vanilla Chai Latte DIY Lotion Bars

Turn your favorite fall drink into lotion bars! These chai latte massage bars from The Makeup Dummy are made with all-natural moisturizing ingredients. The recipe includes traditional chai ingredients (and a hint of vanilla) to spice up your new go-to fall lotion bar.

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Homemade sugar scrub cubes with flowers

Homemade coffee sugar scrub cubes

Recipe Rating




Irena

Sunday 8th of September 2019

I'm completely in love with these beautiful sugar scrub cubes! They remind me a little of fudge. Your photography is as stunning as always and it's wonderful to include three different scent options. Fantastic recipe, Kim! xx

Kim

Monday 9th of September 2019

Thanks so much, Irena! And yes, the mocha flavour was making us crave fudge! Thanks for reading and commenting! xo

Cari

Sunday 8th of September 2019

I can't pick a favorite one! I love calendula in bath and body products. I might try that one since I have all of the ingredients.

Kim

Sunday 8th of September 2019

Thanks, Cari! We agree that calendula is lovely in bath and body products!

Cyna

Sunday 8th of September 2019

So beautiful, Kim! I imagine all of them smell absolutely amazing, I'd love to try cinnamon churro.

Kim

Sunday 8th of September 2019

Thanks so much, Cyna! We are fans of the cinnamon churro scent as well!

Michelle

Sunday 8th of September 2019

I'd love to try the cafe mocha! I bet all of these smell amazing!

Kim

Sunday 8th of September 2019

Thanks, Michelle! Yes, they do smell amazing...the mocha was making us hungry!