DIY Cranberry Sugar Scrub
This week I decided to use fresh cranberries to make a DIY Cranberry Sugar Scrub, because I’ve seen really lovely looking one in the shop, but I wanted to make it myself.
I travel a lot between London and Prague and we can have long, harsh winters that are rough on the skin. Some of my family members have eczema, others just really dry skin. I also have dry skin, and I’ve found that Sugar Scrubs help me.
I like to experiment and create my own DIY scrubs, so I was very excited to get these fresh cranberries, and try them in a scrub!
Sugar and coconut oil are staples in my pantry, so I pulled them out and tried a few combinations until I got one that was just the right consistency.
Because this has fresh fruit in it, I store mine in the refrigerator. I wash my hands frequently throughout the day, usually in the kitchen sink, so I just grab the jar and use it after the hand soap on my clean hands, and it keeps my hands looking great.
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Why You’ll Love Fresh Cranberry Scrub
Cranberries are naturally packed with antioxidants, Vitamin C, and fruit acids that help brighten dull winter skin. Paired with fine granulated sugar for gentle buffing and rich coconut oil to seal in moisture, this fresh scrub is just the ticket for soothing dry hands and rough patches during the chilly months!
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Is This Scrub Right for Your Skin Type?
- Best for: Normal, dry, and rough body skin (especially hands, elbows, and feet).
- Use caution on: Sensitive or active eczema-prone skin. Avoid using granulated sugar scrubs on your face, as the sugar crystals can be too abrasive for delicate facial capillaries. Stick to gentle brown sugar or oatmeal options for facial exfoliants.
How Much Does This Recipe Save You?
High-street sugar scrubs and artisan soaps can easily cost £10 to £20 a jar or bar. Making your own at home using simple pantry staples like sugar, coconut oil, and a few drops of essential oils works out to roughly £1.50 to £2.50 per batch. It is a fantastic way to enjoy luxury natural skincare without the boutique price tag!
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Cranberry Sugar Scrub Recipe Ingredients
Cranberry Puree
White Granulated Sugar
Coconut Oil
Essential Oils or Spices (optional)
This DIY recipe is very easy, you just need equal amount of cranberry puree, sugar and coconut oil. Don’t forget that to make 1/3 cup of cranberry puree, you will need at least 1/2 cup of fresh cranberries or even more.
Cranberries are easy enough to buy before Christmas, but if you are thinking of making this recipe outside the festive season, head for the frozen section in your supermarket. I’m sure you will find some there.
Step by step instructions
- Puree cranberries in food processor (or mash them with a fork, until nice and smooth)
- Heat coconut oil in microwave for 20 seconds, to make it easier to mix.
- Combine remaining ingredients with coconut oil in a small bowl and mix well.
- Scoop into a mason jar and seal.
A Quick Note on Fresh Ingredients & Sensitive Skin
- Mind the fruit acids: Fresh cranberries contain natural AHA acids. While brilliant for exfoliating healthy skin, they can sting if applied to cracked skin or active eczema flare-ups. Always stick to unbroken, dry skin, or do a quick patch test first!
- Strict shelf life: Because of the water content in fresh cranberries, this scrub must be kept in the fridge. Use a clean spoon to scoop it out so you don’t introduce bacteria, and toss out any leftovers after 1 to 2 weeks.
Makes 1 jar of homemade cranberry sugar scrub, should last about 1-2 weeks. I store mine in the refrigerator between uses since I used fresh fruit.
Eco-Friendly & Zero-Waste Packaging Ideas
- Reuse Glass Jars: Clean and upcycle old jam jars, honey pots, or clip-top spice jars rather than buying new plastic containers.
- Biodegradable Wrapping: Wrap soap bars in unbleached parchment paper, recycled kraft paper, or compostable cellophane.
- Natural Decor: Skip plastic ribbons for gifts—use natural jute twine, cotton baker’s string, pressed garden flowers, or dried fruit slices instead.
How to package this as a festive gift
This DIY Cranberry Sugar Scrub is the perfect gift for Christmas. If you want to make the recipe extra festive you can add a teaspoon of cinnamon or mixed spice or if you have essential oils, orange would compliment the cranberries beautifully.
Package your sugar scrub into smaller jars, add pretty labels and ribbons and you have the perfect homemade gift.
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Stay in touch
Hope this post inspires you to make your own natural cosmetics and if you do, I’d love to what you think! Let me know in the comments below or find me on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter and add the hashtag #practicalfrugality so that I can see your post.
Or why not subscribe to my weekly newsletter with frugal living tips and recipes straight to your mailbox.
Magdalena
Cranberry Sugar Scrub Recipe
Equipment
- 4oz Mason Jar
Materials & Ingredients
- 1/3 Cup Cranberry Puree
- 1/3 Cup Sugar
- 1/3 Cup Coconut Oil
Instructions
- Puree cranberries in food processor (or mash them with a fork, until nice and smooth)
- Heat coconut oil in microwave for 30 seconds, to make it easier to mix.
- Combine remaining ingredients with coconut oil in a small bowl and mix well.
- Scoop into a mason jar and seal.
Notes
This blog post was originally written on 20 October 2020 and last updated on 26 August 2026
I learned that by 1683 cranberry juice was made by the settlers!
I learned by 1620 Pilgrims learned how to use cranberries from the Native Americans!
I saw a recipe for Chewy Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies that I would really love to try! 🙂
I learned the earliest record of cranberry cultivation dates to 1816 when a man named Captain Henry Hall, of Dennis, noticed that the wild cranberries in his bogs grew better when sand blew over them!
Cranberries require sandy soil, abundant fresh water and a growing season from May to October!
I have never tried to make a Sugar Scrub myself before. This recipe entices me very much to do so.
I learned There are more than 100 varieties of cranberries that grow in North America!
Indians used the juice as a dye!
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Friendsgiving is the perfect way to enjoy cranberry dishes, drinks and décor with your besties!
I read that you can decorate your Friendsgiving party place with colorful fresh cranberries.
What a nice idea, a refreshing scent for a scrub!
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I have not tried any kind of sugar scrub before. Would love to try this one
I learned they have recipes on their site. I would love to try the Cranberry Almond Bread Recipe
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I learned Native Americans used the cranberries as a staple as early as 1550!
Cranberry sugar scrub would make a nice gift, especially part of a gift basket. I’d love to try making it!
Cranberries are the original super fruit. Frozen cranberries can be substituted for fresh in any recipe.
Cranberries have long been a favorite part of the holiday season for me. I love them so much that I am always looking for more ‘excuses’ to have them (no pun intended) on hand. Your sugar scrub looks really amazing. The weather here has been really bizarre and my skin is seriously paying for it. I am going to whip-up a batch after my next grocery trip. Thanks!
I learned that there are three different categories for the contest: Food, Drink, and Decor.
I like that it is made with coconut oil, makes it so healthy for your skin!
I like how simple this recipe is! I love sugar scrubs!
I learned that this year is the 200th anniversary of cranberry farming in Massachusetts.
This scrub sounds awesome! I love how easy it is to make.
I learned that This fall, Wisconsin’s cranberry industry is once again projected to produce more cranberries than any other state, with an estimated crop of approximately 5.2 million barrels of fruit