Wondering how to make your own scrub using ingredients from your kitchen? Check out how I make a DIY lemon and baking soda scrub at home.
I love things that are good for me, easy to make, and made of things I already have. This exfoliating face wash meets all three of those things. Before discovering this homemade mix, I used Modern Friction by Origins for my twice-a-week exfoliant. To exfoliate, brighten, and soothe, Modern Friction contains rice starch bits, lemon oil, and aloe, among other ingredients.
But although I love Origins, I thought Modern Friction felt a little rough on my face, and I also didn’t like the price. These days, I’m using a homemade mix modeled after Modern Friction to mimic the effects of a store-bought exfoliant wash.
Quick recipe card: lemon and baking soda scrub
- Makes: one use (mix it fresh each time)
- You need: 1 tbsp baking soda, 1/2 tbsp lemon juice, 1/8 tbsp coconut oil, optional 2 drops tea tree essential oil
- Time: about 1 minute to mix, 2 minutes on the skin
- How often: no more than once or twice a week
- Before first use: patch test on a small area of skin
Why baking soda and lemon?
For my exfoliating granules, I use baking soda. I like using baking soda as an exfoliant because it’s a very fine grain that doesn’t cause my face much irritation. For body scrubs, I use sugar- and salt for an exfoliant, but sugar and salt aren’t great exfoliants for my face. I like to think of sugar and salt as sanding, while using baking soda is more like buffing. I don’t want to sand my face.
For brightening, cleansing, and removing dead skin cells, I add lemon juice, which contains citric acid. Citric acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid, many of which have become popular skincare ingredients. According to the Cleveland Clinic, alpha-hydroxy acids may help with fine lines, irregular pigmentation and age spots, and enlarged pores.
Skin safety first
Important: lemon juice can irritate skin, and it can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Always patch test on a small area first, skip this scrub on broken or sensitive skin, and wear sunscreen afterward.
Some articles advise against using citric acids in homemade skincare products because they cause short-term increased sun sensitivity and could irritate sensitive skin. But while I agree that it’s best not to rub straight lemon juice on your face, I don’t think you should overlook citric acid’s benefits.
If you’re worried, do a test spot to gauge your skin’s reaction, diluting your lemon juice with water, or chatting with a dermatologist. All skin types should avoid direct sunlight or slather on the sunblock for the 24 hours after application.
For moisture, I add coconut oil, which prevents my skin from getting too angry after being exfoliated and negates the need for additional lotion after the scrub. Adding a few drops of tea tree oil is optional, and I only add them when my skin is in the midst of a particularly problematic phase.
Like this DIY lemon scrub? Check out my DIY eucalyptus salt scrub recipe, my baked bath salts recipe, and my DIY honey and beeswax lip balm!
What you need for a lemon and baking soda scrub
- 1 tbsp baking soda
- 1/2 tbsp lemon juice (from a bottle is okay if you don’t have lemons).
- 1/8 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 drops tea tree essential oil (optional—good if you are prone to breakouts)
- Small bowl, stirring spoon, and measuring spoons
(Don’t use any ingredients you’re allergic to, and always spot test new ingredients to make sure you don’t have a reaction to them. Do not use any homemade products without consulting with an appropriate medical professional first.)
How to make a lemon and baking soda scrub
Step 1: First I mix 1/2 tbsp lemon juice with 1 tbsp baking soda. It will fizz. I stir until it becomes a paste. If it’s too thick to spread, add a few drops of water until it reaches a spreadable consistency.
Step 2: I add coconut oil—preferably in liquid form. If I’m adding tea tree oil, I add now. Honestly, both of these are optional, but I like adding a bit of coconut oil to help with moisture.
Step 3: Finally, I stir well and apply. I put a layer on my dry face, let it sit for about 1 minute, add a bit of warm water and gently scrub into my skin using small circular motions for another 1 minute. Keep it well away from your eyes and any sensitive areas.
Step 4: Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water, pat dry with a soft towel, and follow with your usual moisturizer if your skin feels tight.
Note: I find it’s easier to make a new mixture each time I want to use this scrub. Remember that over-exfoliating will irritate the skin. Most store-bought exfoliants recommend exfoliating once or twice per week. And I always apply extra sunscreen if I’m going outside after using citric acid on my skin!
For more fun DIY beauty recipes, check out my DIY whipped body butter recipe, my stress-relieving lavender bath soak, and my DIY shower steamers.
Storing the scrub
I don’t store this one. Baking soda and lemon start reacting as soon as they’re mixed, so the fizz and texture are at their best right away. The recipe is small enough to make fresh in a minute, so mix only what you’ll use and toss any leftovers.
Using it on your hands or body
You can use the same mix on rough patches like hands or elbows. For larger areas I prefer a coarser sugar or salt scrub, like my eucalyptus salt scrub. The same rules apply: patch test first, don’t use it on broken or irritated skin, and don’t over-exfoliate.
Is a lemon and baking soda scrub good for your skin?
It works well for my skin. I find the fine baking soda gives a gentle buff, and I like how my skin feels afterward. But skin is personal: lemon juice can irritate and make skin more sun-sensitive, so this scrub isn’t for everyone, especially if you have sensitive skin or a skin condition. If in doubt, skip it or ask a dermatologist.
But remember that this is a DIY blog where I share what works best for me, and what works for me might not work for everyone. I’d encourage you to read many blogs and recipes that inspire you to find what’s best for you, and always remember to test any ingredient mixture on a small part of your skin first.
Speaking testing on a small part of your face, you also want to test to see how long you should keep it on your face. I only let mine sit on my face for about 1 minute and then scrub it for another minute. Others might want to let the mixture sit on their face for longer, but my skin is pretty sensitive.
Last updated: October 14, 2026. This is a DIY recipe I use at home, not medical or skin-care advice.