I love the smell of coffee and I love drinking coffee (with butter!). But it turns out that coffee grounds also make a great body scrub. Not only does it remove dead skin cells, but it can help reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Coffee Scrub For Healthier Skin
Coffee beans are full of antioxidants and also have benefits when used externally. I’ve even made a coffee infused under eye cream to perk up tired eyes. So, how can a coffee body scrub help with your skincare routine?
Massaging the skin helps stimulate blood and lymphatic flow. This increase in circulation can help reduce cellulite, improve circulation and cellular detox, and make skin feel smoother. Coffee also has antioxidants that help with excess free radicals and has a tigthening effect thanks to it’s astringent properties.
If you have dry skin, you’ll want to be sure to drink hydrating minerals, but scrubs can still be part of your body care. The oils in this coffee scrub are moisturizing and a great way to get more self care in. If you’re dealing with acne, keeping the skin exfoliated and moisturized can help prevent breakouts. However, diet is still the best way to address the root cause of acne!
If you have acne prone skin and want to use this as a face scrub, you can swap out the coconut oil for something less comedegenic, like jojoba or grapeseed oil. The scrub won’t be as solid, but it will still work.
Coffee Scrub Ingredients
This sugar scrub combines some of my favorite natural beauty ingredients. Here’s what they are and how they help your skin
- Coconut Oil – For naturally nourishing skin. Since coconut oil is solid at room temperature, it gives the scrub more body. Some people find coconut oil really drying, but you can swap it out for something like olive oil or sweet almond oil for your skin type. Be careful as stronger smelling oils can affect the final scrub scent!
- Castor Oil – A naturally astringent oil that’s great for skin tone. I also sometimes use it in my facial cleansing regimen… and by regimen, I mean a super-simple one-step process that leaves skin feeling amazing. Castor oil is great for blemishes and detoxing skin.
- Coffee- The caffeine has a tightening and stimulating effect on skin. You’ll often find it in anti-aging products.
- Sugar– Bad inside the body, but great on the outside as it naturally exfoliates. Either brown sugar or cane sugar works well and is hydrating. You can swap the sugar out for finely ground sea salt if preferred, but be sure to not use salt on damaged skin (ouch!).
- Vanilla – Because it smells good and is also a powerhouse for skincare. Naturally antibacterial to help with blemishes and antioxidant to help with aging.
This simple scrub smells like a vanilla latte (thus the name) and leaves skin silky. It smells and looks sophisticated, but is incredibly simple and inexpensive to make.
DIY Coffee Scrub
A simple coffee scrub that smells like a vanilla latte! Use it on the face or body to gently exfoliate skin.
Yield: 1 cup
Place the coffee, sugar, and vanilla in a medium-size bowl and mix well.
Add the oils and stir with a fork or the back of a spoon until well mixed and moistened.
Store in an air-tight container away from moisture and heat. Use as desired for soft skin, especially on the legs to help with cellulite.
- Use a clean, dry hand when scooping out the scrub if you plan on storing it or use it all at once.
- You can add a 1/2 teaspoon of vitamin E oil when mixing to add extra antioxidants. Vitamin E is also great for healthier skin.
How to Use a Coffee Scrub + Precautions
Using a scrub is a simple process, but it can be a little messy! Be careful when using this in the shower as it can make the floor slick. You can also put a drain strainer over the tub drain if you’re worried about the scrub clogging your drains.
Apply a handful of the scrub to wet skin and use circular motions to exfoliate. Rinse off with warm water when done. This works well as a body scrub, but you can also use it as a face scrub to help improve fine lines and prevent blemishes. It even works over the tummy area to help with stretch marks.
I find that the natural ingredients work well for sensitive skin, just don’t scrub super hard. If you have really sensitive skin and notice irritation though, then discontinue use.
Final Thoughts on Coffee Scrubs
I absolutely love how this scrub smells and how it makes my skin feel silky smooth! Using it in the shower is an aromatic experience that helps me feel calmer and more alert at the same time. It’s quick to make and even makes a great gift.
What are your favorite ways to use coffee? Leave a comment and let us know!
