Dull, tired skin? This quick lemon and honey scrub brings instant glow with simple pantry ingredients. It gently buffs away dry patches, wakes up your complexion, and leaves skin feeling soft and smooth — perfect before a night out or when your skin needs a pick-me-up.

The best part? It takes under 5 minutes to make. With fine sugar for gentle exfoliation, raw honey for hydration, and fresh lemon for brightness, this DIY scrub is a natural, budget-friendly way to reveal radiant skin at home.

DIY lemon and honey body scrub in glass jar with open lid

Ingredients List

  • 3 tbsp fine granulated sugar (or caster sugar for a gentler scrub)
  • 1 tbsp raw honey
  • 1 tbsp light carrier oil (sweet almond, jojoba, or olive oil)
  • 1–2 tsp fresh lemon juice (adjust to skin sensitivity)
  • Optional: 1/2 tsp lemon zest for fragrance
  • Optional: 1–2 drops vitamin E oil (extra nourishment)

Homemade sugar scrub with lemon slices and honey dipper

Recipe

  1. In a small bowl, combine sugar and honey until evenly coated.
  2. Stir in the carrier oil to form a scoopable paste.
  3. Add lemon juice gradually (start with 1 tsp). Mix, then adjust to a texture that holds together without dripping.
  4. Optional: Fold in lemon zest and vitamin E oil.
  5. Spoon into a clean, dry jar with a tight-fitting lid.

Brightening lemon sugar scrub recipe in small bowl

Application

  1. On clean, damp skin, scoop a small amount into your palm.
  2. Gently massage in circular motions for 60–90 seconds. Avoid broken or irritated skin.
  3. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. Follow with a lightweight moisturiser or body oil.
  4. Use 2–3 times per week for best results.

Natural exfoliating scrub with honey and lemon for glowing skin

Benefits

  • Lemon: Helps brighten the look of dull skin and even tone for a fresh, radiant finish.
  • Honey: Naturally humectant — draws moisture in for soft, comfortable skin.
  • Sugar: Fine physical exfoliation to smooth rough texture without being too harsh.
  • Carrier oil: Cushions the scrub and leaves a silky feel after rinsing.

DIY beauty flat lay with lemon, honey, and sugar body scrub

Variations & Tips

  • Sensitive skin: Reduce lemon juice to 1 tsp or swap for 1 tsp aloe vera gel.
  • Ultra-dry skin: Replace 1 tbsp sugar with 1 tbsp finely ground oats for extra softness.
  • Shelf life: Best used within 2 weeks. Keep water out of the jar; use a clean spoon to scoop.
  • Patch test: Always patch test new recipes on a small area first.

Helpful Tools

Want perfect ratios each time? Try the Body Scrub Calculator for quick, balanced mixes.

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Hi, I’m Hershey — a lifelong natural skincare enthusiast with a love for creating simple, homemade beauty solutions that actually work. Inspired by my grandmother’s herbal remedies and my own sensitive skin journey, I started DIY Beauty Corner to share effective, affordable skincare recipes made from ingredients you already have at home.