5 Fall DIY Body Scrubs to Slough Off Summer

Whenever one season ends and a new one begins, it’s a wonderful opportunity to take advantage of the seasonal produce available, and even incorporate them into your beauty routines. Farmers markets, seasonal pop ups, or just grocery store selections during the fall provide a brand new list of various items to create beauty recipes.

I’ve whipped up these fall themed DIY body scrubs that will slough off the dry skin of summer and have you ready to welcome autumn with renewed vigor. And you’ll smell just like fall!

How to make a DIY Body Scrub

Homemade scrub recipes are super simple (and cheap!) to make at home. Grab some sugar, salt or coffee and add a bit of carrier oil to soften and hydrate and you’re all set.

Body scrubs can be used several times a week depending on skin sensitivity. Just store the extras in a lidded container and do your best to avoid introducing water to the mixture and it will last 2-3 weeks if no fresh ingredients (like a mashed fruit) are used.

For an evening of pampering, I prefer the following order for application: 10-20 warm water bath soak, towel dry, scrub, and then shower to rinse off. Follow with a hydrating body moisturizer for optimal hydration. 

1. Chai Pear Sugar Scrub

Chai tea has numerous health and beauty benefits due to the high antioxidant content in black tea leaves. Chai also contains spices such as fennel, clove and ginger, which are anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and rich in vitamin C.

• 5 chai tea bags
• ¼ pear (peeled and mashed)
• 1 cup brown sugar (finely granulated or white granulated sugar if you plan on using this on your face only)
• ½ cup grapeseed oil
• Dash of cinnamon

Cut open the tea bags and empty the contents into a bowl, adding the brown sugar, oil and cinnamon. When you’re ready to use the scrub, stir in the pear.

Since the pear is the only perishable item in this scrub, you can prepare all of the other ingredients and keep them on hand, adding in the pear for individual use. 

2. Vanilla & Cinnamon Sugar Body Scrub

This body scrub is perfect for all skin types and ages. The scent is pleasant and not too sweet. 

• 1 cup sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup jojoba or avocado oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine both sugars, cinnamon, oil and vanilla in a small bowl and mix thoroughly. Depending on the desired consistency you can add more oil or less sugar. Use the scrub on damp skin, concentrating on rough areas like elbows and knees.

Store the scrub in an air-tight container and use within 2-3 weeks. If you plan to gift this scrub, a little ingredient list attached to the lid or dangling from some twine would make it even sweeter than it already is. 

3. Clove & Coffee Body Scrub

With the autumn months come the onslaught of cold and flu season, and clove is just the addition you’ll want for your body scrub. Clove is known for it’s anti-infectious, antibacterial and anti-viral properties. Not to mention the scent is heavenly with woodsy hints of both spice and sweetness.

• 1/2 cup coffee beans
• 1/3 cup raw sugar
• 1 teaspoon cloves
• 1/4 cup olive or jojoba oil

In a coffee grinder, combine the beans, sugar and cloves, and grind until it reaches your desired coarseness. In a small bowl, add the oil slowly to the coffee bean mixture and stir to combine. Store in an air-tight container. 

Use the scrub on damp skin, concentrating on rough areas like elbows and knees. Rinse and towel dry. Follow with a hydrating body moisturizer for optimal hydration. 

4. Citrus Salt Body Scrub

One of my favorite things during fall is the amazing citrus fruit selection. From oranges to grapefruits to tangerine varieties, you cannot beat the market offerings during the early autumn months.

Made using the seasonal autumnal produce found, this next salt scrub is both relaxing and immune boosting. The natural uplifting fragrance from the citrus zest will also keep you energized.

•  1/2 cup sea salt
• 1/2 cup jojoba, almond, or olive oil
• 1 teaspoon orange or grapefruit zest

Combine the sea salt and oil, mix well in a bowl until the salt is saturated with oil. Then add the teaspoon of zest and mix. Store in a covered jar and use as needed all over your body. Rinse and towel dry.

Follow with a hydrating body moisturizer for optimal hydration. Sea salt can be grittier than sugar, so be sure you use light pressure, and never use on the face or neck. 

5. Pumpkin Cinnamon Body Scrub

Pumpkin is packed with alpha hydroxy acids that help with cell turnover and rapid exfoliation. If you clean out or carve some pumpkins this fall, or even plan to roast some seeds, save the pumpkin “meat” for this delicious smelling scrub.

These ingredients are perfect to brighten skin and can help reduce those rough areas on our body. This recipe is super quick and easy to make, and great for exfoliating and moisturizing your legs at the same time.

• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon jojoba, almond or olive oil
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder (optional)

Mix the sugar and pumpkin puree into a bowl until completely combined. Stir in the pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon, if using, until blended. If the scrub looks a little loose or runny, add more sugar to the mixture until it has a thick, paste-like consistency.

Apply the scrub in circular motions and let the mixture stand for one minute before rinsing with warm water. This scrub is best applied to dry skin.