Easy Lemon Balm Sugar Scrub Recipe
A Simple Herbal Sugar Scrub Recipe for Soft, Glowing Skin
If you’re anything like me, you love a good DIY recipe that feels both indulgent and practical. This lemon balm sugar scrub checks both boxes—and then some.
Whether your skin needs a little pick-me-up or you’re just looking for a moment of calm in the chaos, this scrub brings the gentle magic of herbs into your everyday routine. It’s simple to make, shelf-stable, and customizable—and it smells like sunshine in a jar.
Why Lemon Balm?
A member of the mint family, lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, which makes it incredibly supportive for the skin. It’s often used to help soothe:
- Minor skin irritations
- Insect bites and stings
- Cuts, scrapes, and cold sores (Source: Pub Med)
- Acne and oily skin (Source: Future You Cambridge)
It contains plant compounds like rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid, all of which help neutralize free radicals (those pesky particles from pollution and UV exposure that can speed up skin aging). These antioxidants not only protect the skin from damage but also help reduce inflammation and redness.
Lemon balm’s natural astringent effect—thanks to its tannins—can also help tone the skin, tighten pores, and promote healing. Some herbalists use it to boost circulation, while others swear by it for reducing the discomfort of sunburn and acne breakouts.
And let’s be honest: it just smells amazing. That clean, citrusy scent is enough to lift your mood in the shower all by itself.
Easy Lemon Balm Sugar Scrub Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 to 1.5 cups sugar (adjust depending on how scrubby you like it)
- ¾ cup sweet almond oil
- ¾ cup apricot kernel oil
- ½ cup dried lemon balm
- 1 tbsp vitamin E oil (natural preservative)
Instructions:
1. Infuse your oils.
Combine the sweet almond oil, apricot oil, and dried lemon balm in a clean, dry jar. Cap tightly and store in a dark place for about 6 weeks. Give the jar a shake every few days to keep things moving.
2. Strain the herbs. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please visit my privacy policy page for more details.
After 6 weeks, strain out the lemon balm using a fine mesh strainer
3. Mix the scrub.
In a bowl, combine your sugar, infused oil blend, and vitamin E oil. Stir well until everything is fully incorporated.
4. Store it up.
Spoon the scrub into small, dry containers—preferably single-use jars or tins. This helps prevent water from getting in and spoiling the batch when you use it in the shower!
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How to Store + Use
- Shelf Life: About 6 months
- No refrigeration needed, but keep it in a cool, dry spot
- Avoid getting water in the container, as that can cause mold or bacteria growth
- I recommend storing in individual-use containers so you can keep a scrubby stash in the shower without worrying about contamination
- To use, simply scoop out a small amount and gently massage onto damp skin in circular motions. Rinse off and enjoy your silky smooth glow! No need to lotion up after this shower.
Want to Switch It Up? Try These Other Herbs:
Lemon balm is a favorite, but this recipe plays well with others. If you’re looking to try something new, here are a few herbal options:
- Lavender: Calming, floral, and classic for bedtime routines
- Rose petals: Luxurious and great for mature or dry skin
- Calendula: Soothing for sensitive or irritated skin
- Peppermint: Cooling and invigorating—great for tired feet!
- Chamomile: Ultra-gentle, ideal for babying your skin
Feel free to mix and match! Just be sure your herbs are completely dried before infusing, to avoid any moisture sneaking into your oils.
Frequently Asked Questions
This lemon balm sugar scrub is one of my favorite ways to use homegrown herbs in my daily life. It’s quick to make (once the infusion is ready), makes a beautiful gift, and turns an everyday shower into a moment of calm.
Let me know if you try it in the comments—and if you tweak the recipe with your own garden herbs, I’d love to hear what you come up with! If you want to keep things even easier, make this lemon balm and lavender body oil!
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About the Author
Brittany Gibson is a modern suburban homesteader and the founder of The Homestead Challenge. She empowers women to adopt a simpler, more self-sufficient lifestyle, feeling confident to grow, create, and thrive on their own terms with joy and balance.
Read more about my transformation and join me in building our lives from scratch.
Lemon Balm Sugar Scrub
Equipment
- 1 jar with air tight lid
- 1 Mixing Bowl
- 1 Fine Mesh Strainer
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please visit my privacy policy page for more details.
or cheesecloth
Ingredients
- 1-1.5 cups sugar raw, cane
- 3/4 cup sweet almond oil
- 3/4 cup apricot kernel oil
- 1/2 cup dried lemon balm
- 1 tbsp vitamin e oil
Instructions
- Infuse your oils.Combine the sweet almond oil, apricot oil, and dried lemon balm in a clean, dry jar. Cap tightly and store in a dark place for about 6 weeks. Give the jar a shake every few days to keep things moving.
- Strain the herbs. After 6 weeks, strain out the lemon balm using a fine mesh strainer
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please visit my privacy policy page for more details.
or cheesecloth. You now have a beautifully infused base oil! - Mix the scrub. In a bowl, combine your sugar, infused oil blend, and vitamin E oil. Stir well until everything is fully incorporated.
- Store it up. Spoon the scrub into small, dry containers—preferably single-use jars or tins.
Notes
- Shelf Life: About 6 months
- No refrigeration needed, but keep it in a cool, dry spot
