Lemon Sugar Scrub Recipe and Gift Idea
This lemon sugar scrub recipe is made into cubes making gift-giving easier or just making less of a mess when you need a good exfoliating pampering. It’s one of our favorite DIY sugar scrub recipes of all time!
What You'll Find On This Page
The Argument for Exfoliating Cubes
This recipe for lemon sugar scrub cubes is so much better than a scrub tucked into a jar. Let me tell you why…
I make all of our bath products here at Ruffles and Rain Boots – we share a lot of DIY bath and beauty and a TON of sugar scrub recipes. The sugar scrubs we make smell divine, exfoliate the skin, and…
Tend to get everywhere!
When made in cubes, however, I don’t have to worry about dumping scrub on my counter or the rim of the tub. I also don’t have to worry that I’ve left any moisture inside the jar with the scrub because I get a cube out before I get in the shower or bath.
Whether you’re making these lovely lemon cubes for yourself or another, trust me that the cube is a better option.
RELATED READING: Lemon Vanilla Bath Bombs – Easy and Wonderfully Scented!
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Supplies for Lemon Sugar Scrub Cubes
You can use any mold for your lemon sugar scrub cubes, but make sure it is silicone. This cube mold is what we used and the cubes just pop right out!
Because we make all of our own bath products here on Ruffles and Rain Boots, we’re sharing all of our favorite supplies in our Amazon Shop.
- 1/2 cup Shea Butter Soap Base (shredded)
- 1/3 cup Coconut Oil
- 10-12 drops Lemon Essential Oil
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Zest
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- Yellow Soap Colorant (we use this)
How to Make Exfoliating Sugar Scrub Cubes
Written Instructions
- Shred or cut the shea butter into very small pieces and place it in a microwave-safe bowl with the coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals until melted.
- Add the lemon oil, zest, and soap colorant. Mix well. A note about coloring: adding white sugar will lighten the mix considerably. If you want a bright yellow sugar scrub, add a generous amount.
- Next, add in the sugar and mix quickly. The liquid will harden once the sugar is added.
- Freeze for 1 hour to let the cubes harden. Release the exfoliating sugar cubes from their molds. Store in an airtight container.
How to Use Sugar Scrub Cubes
Remove 1 or 2 from an airtight container. Gently crush them in your hands – you don’t need to crush them completely.
Massage the mixture over your skin in a small, circular motion. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. Follow up with your favorite moisturizer.
How Long Will Sugar Scrub Cubes Last?
As long as you don’t change the oil I used in the recipe, they should last at least 6 months with no change to scent or texture when stored in a completely airtight container.
A general rule of thumb is that a non-water-based sugar scrub has a shelf life of the carrier oil used. For example, if you were to use hazelnut oil the scrub would only last 3 months maximum.
Gift Ideas
If you are making these for yourself, good job. But if you happen to be making them for someone else, here are a few ways to package up and gift your sugar scrub cubes. Note: if you’re gifting these, include a note with the instructions for use above.
Lovely Lemon Gift Basket
Once you’ve made the sugar scrub cubes, stash them in an airtight container. We love keeping ours in apothecary jars with an airtight seal. Pair them with our easy to make lemon vanilla bath bombs. Place all items in a small basket with a loofah and some lemon pound cake tea. Oh my goodness, this tea is divine!
Swoon-Worthy Packaging
Mason jars are the crafter’s Swiss Army knife. Buy a mason jar and a small fabric swatch from the fabric store. You can either buy what’s called a “fat quarter” or peruse the fabric in the stacks and get 1/8th of a yard cut.
Either way, cut a circle 50% larger than your mason jar lid and tuck it over the top and under the ring. Put a coordinating ribbon on that thing and you have a swoon-worthy presentation done in minutes.
RELATED READING: Mermaid Bath Bombs That’ll Impress the Heck Out of Anyone!
Lemon Sugar Scrub Recipe and Gift Idea
This lemon sugar scrub recipe is made into cubes making gift-giving easier or just making less of a mess when you need a good exfoliating pampering.
Materials
- 1/2 cup Shea Butter Soap Base (shredded)
- 1/3 cup Coconut Oil
- 10-12 drops Lemon Essential Oil
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Zest
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- Yellow Soap Colorant
Tools
- microwave-safe bowl
- spoon to stir
- square mold
Instructions
- Shred or cut the shea butter into very small pieces and place it in a microwave-safe bowl with the coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals until melted.
- Add the lemon oil, zest, and soap colorant. Mix well. A note about coloring: adding white sugar will lighten the mix considerably. If you want a bright yellow sugar scrub, add a generous amount.
- Next, add in the sugar and mix quickly. The liquid will harden once the sugar is added.
- Freeze for 1 hour to let the cubes harden. Release the exfoliating sugar cubes from their molds. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
For more amazing bath product tutorials, visit Ruffles and Rain Boots.
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Where did you buy the mold?
Amazon – They have different ones, but I like this size. https://amzn.to/3ZyU3xA
I made these, and they did not harden up at all. THey all crumbled, so now they’re in a bowl which will be body scrub. Does it matter what kind of soap? I used Kirk’s unscented. It feels as though there’s too much sugar, but I followed the recipe to a t.
I’ve made these more than 20 times in addition to all the reader photos I get and the recipe is sound. I’ve not used Kirk’s, but from what it looks like, that is a processed soap, not a soap base. They will not perform the same.
I’ve used quite a few different soap bases for these scrubs – goat’s milk, glycerin, and shea butter are a few – and they’ve all performed the same. Please try with a soap base instead of a processed soap bar.
I’m allergic to coconut. What would be the next longest lasting oil i could use? These look so zingy I want to make them now!
Olive oil might be your best bet or maybe grape seed oil. I’m not sure if you’re allergic to only nut oils. If they are allergens as well, try going to Brambleberry – I know they have safe bases.
I made these and they’re great! Just wondering if after they are stored, are they supposed to be moist or more of a dry texture?
Jen, They are supposed to be dry and hard to the touch. If they are still wet, there could be two issues:
1. they need to sit on a counter and dry out. If you’re in a humid environment, position them so a fan will blow on them or pop them in a very low warm oven and check on the frequently.
2. too many “wet” ingredients were used. They could never fully dry out. If they are very wet, break them apart, add more sugar and mold them again.
Let me know how it goes.
Fir your lemon sugar scrub cubes what kind of coconut oil did you use ? Does it have to be fractionated ?
Leslie, It doesn’t have to be fractionated. You can use what you have. ;)
How long do these last before you would consider them expired? I’m thinking Christmas this year for gifting.
Sindy, I’ll add some information to the article to make sure to answer it for everyone. As long as you don’t change the oil I used in the recipe, they should last at least 6 months with no change to scent or texture when stored in a completely airtight container.
A general rule of thumb is that a non-water-based sugar scrub has a shelf life of the carrier oil used. For example, if you were to use hazelnut oil the scrub would only last 3 months maximum.
Looks good enough to eat!!