How to: DIY Body Scrub with Caffeine

We’re giving coffee lovers another reason to be obsessed with all things java! There are numerous studies that tout the benefits of sipping a daily cup of coffee, but did you know that coffee (and caffeine) have amazing skin benefits? Besides the extra jolt to your morning routine, caffeine, when applied topically, can help curb the effects of inflammation, slough away dead skin cells and boost overall circulation. We’re huge coffee fans in the office and were overly excited to share our DIY body scrub recipe creations with our favorite coffee (and body scrub) loving cubemates. Follow along below while we go step-by-step to create a natural body scrub that’s made from our favorite drink: coffee!

1. Boosts Circulation

   Caffeine is a dream machine when applied to our skin via a DIY body scrub. When it's applied topically, caffeine has been shown to improve overall circulation. Not only does it put a little more pep into our body’s circulation, but it’s also improving the flow of nutrients in our skin’s tissue which results in plumper, healthier looking skin. This undercover agent is responsible for that extra glow you’re seeing because caffeine is forcing the movement of blood instead rather than slowly passing through or pooling in certain areas, resulting in a dark or muddy complexion.

2. Full of Antioxidants and Anti-Inflammatory Properties

   This entire list is an open love letter to coffee and specifically caffeine. Another added benefit in our DIY body scrub are all the amazing anti-inflammatory and antioxidants this tiny little bean holds inside. These key ingredients help to reduce swelling, nourish our skin, and help defend our skin by flushing out toxins. Green tea is another natural skin care ingredient packed with caffeine that comes with anti-aging benefits too.

3. Removes Dead Skin

   If you’re a purist, you're always buying whole beans to grind on demand. If you’re go-go-go barely making it out the door, you’re fine with ground coffee to speed the whole AM process up. The size of the grind, whether super coarse or powdery fine, depends on your end need. If you’re looking to use coffee grinds for a DIY face scrub, we’d recommend going for a finer, smoother grind so the grit doesn’t tug or scratch your sensitive skin. When making a homemade body scrub, a coarser grind like your daily coffee brew would be great for tougher areas like legs, feet, and arms. Either way, grounded coffee is the perfect addition to a DIY body scrub recipe for its amazing ability to slough away dead skin cells, and to leave your skin smooth and silky with a light coffee scent.

4. Helps Reduce Cellulite

   Those pesky little dimples showing up here and there are known as cellulite. While it is hard to completely eliminate cellulite without advanced invasive treatments, you can use a DIY body scrub to help lessen their unevening effects. Caffeine in coffee has been found to help diminish the appearance of cellulite by helping to dilate the blood vessels to reduce the depth of the dimples. Take time to gently massage the DIY body scrub to help stimulate the blood flow and boost the skin tightening effects.

5. Helps Reduce Redness

   A recent study has found that by consuming caffeinated coffee, you can reduce your risk of rosacea or other chronic inflammatory skin diseases that cause red or flushed skin. The beneficial properties also extend to topical application of caffeine via a DIY body scrub. The caffeinated coffee grounds can help to reduce the rush of blood to the skin’s surface, the main culprit when we turn red or flushed.

If you’re brewing at home, save your fresh coffee grinds, or if you’re an afternoon latte addict, maybe pick up a bag of beans next time you’re out. Fresh organic coffee grinds are the perfect skin exfoliator and if using them after a morning brew, you’re giving them a second life! Our DIY body scrub recipe is super easy, so there’s no excuse to not make it!

Ingredients Needed:
1 Cup of Used or Freshly Ground Organic Coffee
6 Tablespoons of Organic Coconut Oil

Directions:
Gently warm up the organic coconut oil in a sauce pan on low heat. After it’s fully melted, mix in the organic coffee grounds. Gently stir to incorporate. Store your DIY body scrub in a sealed jar at room temperature. Bring this diy body scrub into the shower for an energizing scrub down. One to two times a week will help to remove dead skin cells and improve overall circulation.

Caffeine in coffee has powerful benefits for the skin, but it’s important to remember that--as with any DIY body scrub or beauty product--it may take some time to start seeing full results. When we do something beneficial for our skin, it can take time to really notice the benefits. Taking care of your body, including your skin, usually requires being in it for the long haul and disciplined application. Thankfully, our DIY body scrub recipe is super simple to make on demand, so it makes it a breeze for you to take care of your skin.