The leftover coffee grounds from your favorite morning brew are too good to go to waste – with just a few add-ons, they make for an excellent body scrub. Here’s how to make your own DIY coffee scrub and why you should.
62% of Americans drink coffee every day (says the National Coffee Association). As you can imagine, this also means that every day, tons of coffee grounds go to waste, and with them their many valuable nutrients. But it doesn’t have to be that way!
How Coffee Benefits Your Skin
There is a long list of Surprising Coffee Grounds Uses to help you reap the benefits of coffee beyond your morning cup. One of our favorites is an effective DIY coffee scrub that is really easy to make and doesn’t require many ingredients. But what are the benefits of applying fresh coffee grounds to your skin?
- Coffee grounds can be used as a natural exfoliant to remove dirt and dead cells from the skin
- Caffeine contains antioxidants, a substance that protects your skin cells from damage caused by UV radiation and free radicals, thereby preventing premature aging of the skin
- Chlorogenic acids contained in caffeine have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that can be helpful in treating acne
- May reduce the appearance of cellulite: research found that caffeine stimulates the microcirculation of the blood and prevents excessive accumulation of fat in cells
- As opposed to many store-bought peelings, coffee scrubs contain no harmful chemicals or micro-plastics
And don’t forget about the financial and environmental benefits: a DIY coffee scrub is an inexpensive alternative to cosmetic peelings you can buy at the store. Also, you will be reusing the coffee grounds that might otherwise be headed straight for the trash and you’ll even reduce plastic waste by avoiding store-bought products.
How to Make Your Own DIY Coffee Scrub
- Brew yourself a cup of coffee – preferably using organic and Fair Trade coffee.
- Mix about 4 tbsp. of the spent fresh coffee grounds with 1 tbsp. of olive oil. If you like, you can also use coconut oil instead.
- Additionally, you can add 1-2 tsp. of fine grain sea salt or brown sugar
- If you want (and have healthy skin) you can add a few drops of essential oils of your choosing.
- Whisk together until you get a thick paste.
- It’s best to use up the scrub right away or store it in the fridge for only a brief period until you use it.
How to Apply Face and Body Scrub Made From Spent Coffee Grounds
If you have used other peelings before this one, you’ll know that exfoliating your skin now and then may give it a certain glow and can improve skin irritations, however, this is not necessarily the case for everyone. If you’re unsure whether your skin type is right for exfoliation, see a dermatologist or take a look at the American Academy of Dermatology’s (AAD) tips for safe exfoliation.
So, how do you use the DIY coffee scrub?
You can safely exfoliate your skin by applying your DIY coffee scrub in small circular motions for about 30 seconds, then rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Or you can let it soak in a bit longer, giving the skin some time to take in the full effect of the coffee grounds. After rinsing off the coffee scrub and drying your skin, make sure to moisturize it.
Note: You can use this scrub for your face and body but we recommend testing it on your body first to see how your skin reacts to the peeling. Although this scrub is made from all-natural ingredients and is less aggressive than chemical scrubs, if you have very sensitive skin, using it may still irritate your skin rather than calm it.
Don’t use the scrub if you have open wounds, if your skin is damaged in other ways or if you have a skin condition that requires treatment.
In general, you should not over-exfoliate your skin – according to the AAD, excessive exfoliation may do your skin more harm than good. You can safely exfoliate once a week. They also advise against peelings for people with very dry skin.
Read more:
- How to Make Cold Brew Coffee at Home: Recipe in 4 Easy Steps
- Homemade Sugar Lip Scrub: An Easy DIY Recipe
- Review: These Reusable Nespresso Pods Make Better Coffee
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