DIY Natural Body Scrub – Be Your Own Skincare Guru

BY Katrin Školnik Škrabe, Anja Bubik, PhD

Ever wanted to make your own body scrub but didn’t know where to start? Well, now’s your chance to become your very own skincare guru – and trust me, it’s way easier than you think!

Making a natural body scrub at home means you know exactly what goes into it. With simple ingredients and your own personal touch, you can make a scrub that leaves your skin feeling soft and refreshed.

Why exfoliate?

Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells, leaving the skin smoother and healthier-looking. It also helps your creams and lotions work better afterward!

In the past, a lot of beauty products contained microplastics for exfoliation. Now, we know they’re bad for the environment, which is why their use in many cosmetic products is restricted.

The good news? There are tons of natural alternatives that work just as well – if not better! 🌎✨

 🧪 What You’ll Need

  • 2 teaspoons of coconut oil (about 10 g) – This oil gives the scrub a smooth texture and acts as an emollient, helping to soften the skin and reduce moisture loss.
  • 1 teaspoon of a natural abrasive – You can choose from sugar, bamboo powder, or ground walnut shells. Each offers a unique texture and exfoliating power!
  • A few drops of essential oil (optional) – For that extra touch of luxury and fragrance.

Figure 1: Homemade peeling (Source: FVO)

Choose the Right Exfoliant for Your Skin

Different scrubs work better for different skin types or body parts. Here’s a quick guide to help you pick the best one for you:

  • Sugar Scrub – Fine sugar can provide gentle exfoliation when used with light pressure, but it may irritate sensitive, damaged, or inflamed skin. 👉 Medium strength – great for most areas.
  • Bamboo Powder Scrub – Bamboo is fine and smooth, making it ideal for delicate or sensitive skin. 👉 Very fine texture – gentle and calming.
  • Ground Walnut Shell Scrub – For those who want a deeper scrub. It’s a bit more abrasive, making it great for tough spots like elbows and feet. 👉 Stronger scrub for tougher skin. Don’t use it on sensitive areas.

    Figure 2: Lab mess – Looking for the best natural abrasive type (Source: FVO)

    GG tip: Always test your scrub on a small patch of skin before using it all over. This way, you can make sure your skin reacts well to the ingredients. Also, since there are no preservatives, it’s best to use your scrub right after making it for the freshest results. When using your scrub, avoid getting water into the container and always scoop out the scrub with a clean, dry spoon or clean, dry fingers. Enjoy that glow! ✨

    After you’ve made your scrubs, you might just feel like a skincare guru – and honestly, you kind of are now! The best part? You get to decide exactly what goes into your scrub and how it works for your skin. Plus, no plastic microbeads, so your skin and the planet will thank you. 🌱

    GG note: For a quick tutorial, check out our Mini Handbook and its Experiment 1: Making Natural Soap and Body Scrub.

    Authors

    • Katrin Školnik Škrabe

      Graduated from the Faculty of Environmental Protection in 2020. She continues her studies as an MSc student at the University of Primorska FAMNIT, majoring in Nature protection. While her current research involves assessing wildlife population density using phototraps, it's her deep passion for addressing the global issue of microplastics that truly motivates her. She believes in the importance of finding solutions to this environmental threat and sees her academic journey as a means to make a positive impact.

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    • Anja Bubik, PhD

      obtained her PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Ljubljana, Medical Faculty. She holds a position as a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Environmental Protection, where she deals with environmental issues related to human health. As a head of the laboratory she takes care of the implementation of new research and teaching methods and participates in many applied and awareness-raising projects.

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