I usually don't fiddle with too many diy lotions and potions, but this coffee scrub takes just minutes to make and leaves my skin feeling silky and smooth.
We have all heard that it is important to exfoliate. But why?
When old skin cells start to pile up on the epidermis, your skin is left looking dull and flaky. As I mentioned in my post about sebum, this build-up of dead skin cells can result in clogged, angry pores. Exfoliating removes the dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. This process encourages the cells that are generated down in the dermis to replace the cells that have been sloughed off. As a result, the skin’s appearance is refreshed as its natural clarity and brightness is restored. Exfoliation can be performed mechanically, by using abrasive scrubs, such as this delicious coffee one, or chemically with specific enzymes or acids.
Recipe
1/4 cup of ground Coffee (you can use fresh or recycled grounds)
- Coffee is rich in antioxidants. Although it has not been conclusively determined, caffeine is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties that make your skin look tighter. Remember that the courser the grounds, the rougher your scrub will be.
1/2 cup of Coconut Oil
- Coconut oil is incredibly moisturizing and packed full of vitamins and minerals. Not to mention, this oil also has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. Feel free to warm up your coconut oil to make this scrub easier to mix together.
1/4 cup Coconut Palm Sugar
- This sugar acts as an additional exfoliant. If you have sensitive skin, feel free to leave this ingredient out.
Optional Additions
- Vanilla (I added 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to this batch of scrub, but vanilla bean, vanilla paste, or vanilla powder will also work well)
- Cinnamon
- Essential Oils
Mix all of these ingredients together and you're done!
Yield: About 1 cup
How to Use: On damp skin, massage this scrub in circular motions all over your body, focusing on any dry patches. Rinse with warm water and follow up with the moisturizer of your choice. I use this scrub 2-3 times per week, but be sure to pay attention to the needs of your skin and use it accordingly.
Expiration: This scrub will last for approximately 2 months in a sealed container. If it starts to separate, just give it a quick stir and you'll be good to go.
You can tailor this recipe however you would like. If you prefer a creamier texture without as much grit, you can decrease the coffee and the sugar, and increase the coconut oil. You can also skip the sugar altogether and just use the coffee as your exfoliant.
Beware that this scrub is messy and will make your shower quite slippery. Also, if you are a fan of light-colored towels, make sure that you rinse well because this coffee scrub will stain.
I hope that you enjoy this project! Have fun inventing your own coffee scrub creations!
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