DIY Winter Body Scrub: Exfoliate, Hydrate, and Nourish Your Skin Naturally
Last updated on March 12, 2026 by Jessica Healey
Originally published on January 6, 2015
The start of a new year often feels like the perfect time to hit the reset button. For many of us, this means prioritizing healthier habits—inside and out. If you’re looking for an easy, satisfying way to cut toxins from your body care routine, you’re in the right place!
I’ve been on my own #LifeFromScratch journey for years, starting with small steps—like playing around with homemade lip balm as a teenager. Over time, that passion for creating has grown into a full-blown lifestyle. I ditched processed foods, embraced whole ingredients, expanded my gardens, and learned to make many staples from scratch. Eventually, I turned my attention to what I was putting on my body.
Once I realized just how many harmful chemicals lurked in store-bought products, I committed to crafting safer alternatives for myself and my family. Today, I’m sharing a hydrating DIY winter body scrub that will gently exfoliate and moisturize even the driest winter skin. No need for lotions or complicated routines—just whole, natural ingredients that your body will love.
Why Make Your Own DIY Winter Body Scrub?
Store-bought body scrubs and lotions often contain questionable ingredients that can clog pores, irritate skin, or lead to other issues. Nature, on the other hand, provides us with plant-based oils and gentle exfoliants that work harmoniously with our skin’s natural chemistry.
This DIY body scrub combines nourishing oils, antioxidants, and gentle exfoliants to leave your skin soft, supple, and glowing—all winter long. It’s simple to make, affordable, and free of toxins.
How to Use Your Winter Body Scrub
- Take a warm bath or shower and cleanse your body with soap.
- Scoop a small amount of the scrub and gently rub it onto your skin in small, circular motions. Focus on dry areas like elbows, knees, and heels.
- Rinse thoroughly. Use caution when stepping out of the tub—oils can make surfaces slippery.
- (Optional safety tip: Wipe down the tub afterward with a bit of castile soap on a washcloth to remove any residue.)
Your skin will feel hydrated and silky-smooth—no lotion required. I often find my skin stays moisturized well into the next day!
What’s Inside Your Exfoliating Body Scrub?
Here’s a breakdown of the nourishing ingredients in this body scrub and what they bring to the table:
Coconut Oil
- Packed with antimicrobial fatty acids that mimic our skin’s natural sebum.
- Deeply moisturizes and reduces breakouts.
- Tip: Use refined coconut oil for no scent, or unrefined for a natural coconut aroma.
Sweet Almond Oil
- Lightweight and absorbs quickly into the skin.
- Softens and smooths while helping other oils penetrate more deeply.
Avocado Oil
- Rich in proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants.
- Boosts collagen production for supple, youthful skin.
Green Tea
- A powerhouse of antioxidants that fight free radicals and rejuvenate skin cells.
- Go organic to avoid unnecessary chemicals.
Lavender Essential Oil
- Soothes skin, reduces inflammation, and has natural antibacterial properties.
Roman Chamomile Essential Oil
- Known for its calming and skin-healing benefits.
- Helps fade spots and scars.
Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
- Balances oil production and improves skin elasticity.
- Bonus: Its floral scent is divine but not overpowering.
Brown Sugar
- A gentle exfoliator with glycolic acid (an AHA) to brighten and refresh skin.
Fine Sea Salt
- Improves circulation and relaxes muscles.
- Opt for a fine texture to avoid irritation.
Pro Tips!
Best Carrier Oils For Your Skin?
DIY Winter Body Scrub Recipe
Equipment
- A mason jar (or any upcycled glass jar)
- A small bowl for mixing
Ingredients
- 1½ cups brown sugar
- ½ cup coconut oil melted
- 1 Tbsp almond oil
- 1 Tbsp avocado oil
- ¼ cup fine sea salt
- 2 organic green tea bags just the leaves
- 20 drops lavender essential oil
- 15 drops Roman chamomile essential oil
- 15 drops ylang ylang essential oil
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly until well incorporated.
- Spoon the scrub mixture into a glass jar with a lid.
- Store in a cool, dry place and use as needed.
Tips for Quality Ingredients
Your skin absorbs everything you put on it, so choose the highest-quality ingredients you can afford. Look for organic and fair trade options whenever possible. If you can’t find ingredients locally, reliable online sources like Starwest Botanicals and Plant Therapy can help you stock up.
Enjoy Healthier, Happier Skin This Winter
This hydrating body scrub is a wonderful addition to your winter self-care routine. It’s simple, effective, and—best of all—free from toxins. As you work toward your #LifeFromScratch goals this year, remember that small steps can lead to big, lasting changes.
Have fun creating, and enjoy every moment of taking care of your skin—naturally!
Loved this! Love your story. Love the recipe and understanding why a scrub is worth my time. Love the ingredients and now knowing what they do. So cool, so approachable. You rock! Thanks for the great article!
Hi Megan,
I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed this recipe and my story as well. I know the importance of understanding ingredients and why they are being used, so I love to be able to break that down in my posts. I hope you get the chance to make this scrub and to experience the benefits of it firsthand.
~ Amanda
You could just use the dry tea leaves. Introducing something with water on it is what could make this spoil if not used promptly. Alternatively, you could steep the tea leaves in the oils and then just leave them in when mixing with the other goodies, to get all the tea goodness in the scrub. 🙂
Hi Kayla,
Thank you So Much for bringing this to my attention. We take great pride in sharing only the best DIYs. I am a stickler for ensuring that no water enters any of my DIY body products (unless it’s a perfume, air spray, etc) and you’ll see that mentioned several times on our site. This one slipped through and I’m grateful for you bringing it to our attention. Amanda, the post author, is an excellent DIYer…but right you are…(as originally written) unless this recipe is used very promptly after being made, it wouldn’t keep very well. We have adjusted the recipe, per Amanda’s suggest, with which I fully support. Again, thanks so much for your comment and for reading along in our #LifeFromScratch journeys here on Scratch Mommy!
~Jess
Hi Kayla,
I appreciate that you caught my slip-up and brought it to light via commenting. I strive to only publish the best possible DIY recipes, and although I knew better, this step in the recipe got past me in development. I have made sure to update the recipe to what it currently shows: using dry green tea leaves. I do love your suggestion of infusing them in the oils though, and may very well try that method the next time around! My goal as a #LifeFromScratch DIY’er is to always be gaining knowledge and improving my skills with each and every recipe I create.
~ All My Best, Amanda
I am crazy about ylang ylang too. I can’t wait to make this!
Hi Kylie,
I hope you love this scrub as much as I am loving it. The recipe makes a decent amount, and I am almost through my 2nd jar of it. My skin is feeling fabulous! And there is something about the tropical, yet not overpowering scent of ylang ylang that makes it a spa-like experience.
~ Amanda
Thanks for this nice and informative blog, Glad to come on this blog..
We are so happy that you found the Scratch Mommy blog!