By Stacy Karen, contributing writer
Coffee and cocoa are a delightful combination when it comes to a warm beverage. Turns out, it’s a great mix for natural body care, too!
Body scrubs are a fantastic way to remove dead skin cells and brighten skin, giving it a more youthful and vibrant appearance and a softer smoother feel.Coffee body scrubs are especially invigorating and enjoyable to apply.
Most body scrubs are made by mixing two parts sugar and one part oil. This createsan excellent and effective sugar scrub, but today I want to share a different method of preparing body scrubs that makes them even more nourishing and unique.
Instead of using oil alone, we will be adding cocoa butter. (Other butters would also work well too, but will have different consistencies due to varying degrees of softness/hardness.)
Cocoa butter is a solid butter, so it needs to be melted prior to mixing with the sugar. This adds a little extra work, but I think you’ll findit worthwhile.
By using cocoa butter in the place of oil, we are creating a body care product that is both exfoliating andextremelymoisturizing.Cocoa butter also helps the scrub hold together much better than when using oil alone.
This simple coffee sugar scrub recipe would make a wonderful gift.
If you don’t enjoy the smell of coffee, simply leave it out. The sugar scrub will still be successful and luxurious.
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- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 ounces coconut oil (where to buy)
- 2ounces avocadooil (where to buy –-can be replaced with grapeseed, sweet almond, or sunflower oil)
- 1.25 ounces cocoa butter (where to buy)
- 1 tablespoon ground coffee beans
- Seeds of one vanilla bean (optional) (where to buy)
- Ice (for cooling cocoa butter after it has melted)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 275 degrees F. Measure the cocoa butter and coconut oil into an oven proof dish, bowl, or loaf pan and place in the oven. Leave until butter has melted (this will only take a few minutes). Carefully remove from the oven.
Fill a large bowl with ice and place the bowl (or pan) with the melted cocoa butter and coconut oil into the ice. Add the avocadooil and stir to combine. Leave to cool for a few minutes.
Don’t forget to tun off the oven!
Let cocoa butter/coconut oil mixture cool until it is slightly warm, but not hot (about 100 degrees). Be careful not to allow the oil/butter mixture to cool completely as it may harden and it should have a thick liquid consistency when adding the sugar.
Begin adding the sugar a little at a time, stirring until it is thoroughly incorporated.
Add the ground coffee and stir to distribute evenly. Then add the vanilla bean seeds, if using.
One you have incorporated all of the sugar and coffee, your coffee sugar scrub recipe is complete. It will continue to thicken as it sets.
If you would like to make the sugar scrub have more of a “whipped” texture and appearance, you may use a handheld beater to beat the mixture a few times as the cocoa butter is cooling. You will need to do this reasonable quickly so it does not harden before you have the chance to put it in a jar.
Package in a pretty jar and add a label.
Notes and warnings
- Please be aware that this homemade sugar scrub is intended for use as a body scrub. It is not to be used as a facial scrub. Scrubs should not be used on windburned, sunburned, or broken skin.
- This coffee sugar scrub recipe can be made even more “chocolatey” by adding 2 teaspoons of cocoa powder.
- White sugar may be used in place of brown, but it will have a different scent. You may also use a combination of white and brown sugar, if desired.
- If you enjoy making scrubs, you might likemy ebook, Simple Scrubs to Make and Give; acomprehensive guide to DIY all-natural body scrubs.
- For other homemade skin care recipes, here are recipes forpeppermint citrus sugar scrub, whipped body butter, and silky DIY lotion for hard-working hands.
Stacy is a preacher’s wife and mom to three children. She is slightly obsessed with DIY projects, especially when they involve herbs or natural body care. She blogs at A Delightful Home, where she shares tips on natural, family living and is the author of Simple Scrubs to Make and Give and DIY Face Masks and Scrubs.
FAQs
To make a body scrub, mix ½ c (115 g) of finely-ground coffee, ½ c (115 g) of white sugar, and ¼ c (60 ml) of coconut oil into a medium-sized bowl. For the face scrub, mix 3 tbsp (15 g) of finely-ground coffee, 2 tbsp (30 ml) of olive oil, and 1 tbsp (14 g) of brown sugar into a bowl.
How to make coffee and sugar scrub at home? ›
To make a body scrub, mix ½ c (115 g) of finely-ground coffee, ½ c (115 g) of white sugar, and ¼ c (60 ml) of coconut oil into a medium-sized bowl. For the face scrub, mix 3 tbsp (15 g) of finely-ground coffee, 2 tbsp (30 ml) of olive oil, and 1 tbsp (14 g) of brown sugar into a bowl.
What are the disadvantages of coffee sugar scrub? ›
You're running the risk of damaging your skin. You see ladies, coffee grounds can be sharp and rigidly shaped. And when you scrub yourself with these grounds, you can scratch and damage the surface of your beautiful skin.
What is the best sugar for coffee scrubs? ›
You need:
- coffee grounds (you can either ground the coffee fresh, or use pre-used grounds like I do)
- sugar (I used turbinado, but any sugar will work. I would recommend a more finely-ground sugar, like brown sugar, if your skin is sensitive.)
- oil (coconut oil and olive oil are my two favs)
This homemade face and body coffee sugar scrub is easy to make and a great way to smooth and soften your skin! Gather your base ingredients: ground coffee, brown or white sugar, coarse salt (for the body scrub) and coconut oil.
Does coffee and sugar scrub lighten skin? ›
With regular use, the blend of antioxidant-rich coffee, sugar and coconut deeply penetrates, detoxifies and re-energizes the skin, helping it to slough off dullness, tan as well as scars while also reducing dark spots and pigmentation by 80%.
How long does homemade coffee sugar scrub last? ›
If prepared and stored properly, homemade scrubs should last approximately two months. However, there's a lot of prep time involved for a proper DIY coffee scrub recipe. Used coffee grounds must be thoroughly dried out before you begin mixing them with other ingredients to make a scrub.
Do coffee scrubs clog drains? ›
"Even if you use a finely-ground coffee scrub just once a week, it will eventually mix with the oils in your pipes and coagulate." And no, Drano won't cut through this beauty clog.
How often should you exfoliate with coffee scrub? ›
If you have extra dry skin or want to see some serious results, scrub 2-3 times a week. If you're simply doing it to feel smoother or you have sensitive skin, 1-2 times a week. And it's not just a winter sport or summer activity: you should scrub all year long.
Does coffee scrub reduce cellulite? ›
Another benefit of a coffee scrub is the natural exfoliating effects from the coffee grounds themselves. Like other exfoliating scrubs, this can help remove dead skin cells and yield a smoother, more even look to the skin. While exfoliation itself can't get rid of cellulite, such effects may reduce its appearance.
Unlike the coarse texture of coffee grounds, sugar granules are finer and gentler on the skin. Imagine a sugar scrub as a delicate dance, gracefully removing dead skin cells without harsh abrasion. This makes sugar scrubs an excellent choice for those with sensitive or delicate skin.
What oil to use for sugar scrub? ›
Coconut oil takes a couple of minutes to work into the sugar. But if you use an oil that is liquid at room temperature like jojoba, you can stir this scrub together in less than 1 minute! Some people also like to use sweet almond oil or olive oil as well.
What oil is good for exfoliating? ›
Here are the best essential oils for body scrub:
- Rose Essential Oil. ...
- Tea Tree Essential Oil. ...
- Jojoba Essential Oil. ...
- Carrot Seed Essential Oil. ...
- Lavender Essential Oil. ...
- Geranium Essential Oil. ...
- Chamomile Essential Oil. ...
- Jasmine Essential Oil.
Instructions
- Mix together 1/2 cup fresh ground coffee and 1/2 cup brown sugar.
- Add 1/2 cup coconut oil into the coffee mixture and 1 tsp. vanilla extract.
- Mix until well combined.
- Gently rub the mixture over your body—avoid areas around the eyes. Leave it on for several minutes. Rinse thoroughly.
Using a coffee scrub works great for skin brightening as it helps reduce dark spots and promotes an even skin tone.
Can I use brewed coffee for scrub? ›
Exfoliation
Coffee grounds make a great exfoliant. The grounds do not dissolve in water, which makes them good at scrubbing away dead skin cells. Results of a study from 2013 suggest that substances in coffee also help to promote healthy skin.
What does sugar and coffee do in a body scrub? ›
The coffee grounds and sugar are excellent exfoliants. The sugar helps prevent bacteria, and the caffeine in the coffee tightens your skin and helps reduce puffiness. It may also, according to some research, help prevent skin cancer. It definitely reduces some skin discoloration.
How to make a coffee scrub for cellulite? ›
This simple body scrub for cellulite uses only two ingredients: coffee and olive oil. Preparation: Mix 1 tablespoon of used coffee grounds with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and stir until the paste is even and smooth. Apply the mixture on cellulite-affected areas and massage in circular motions for five to ten minutes.
Is coffee scrub good for the face? ›
Coffee's caffeine content and potent antioxidants give it powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Coffee Face Scrub is also a great face wash for oily skin in summer. So, if you've shied away from coffee scrubs because of acne, don't. It can actually improve the appearance of your skin.
Which is better sugar or coffee scrub? ›
Unlike the coarse texture of coffee grounds, sugar granules are finer and gentler on the skin. Imagine a sugar scrub as a delicate dance, gracefully removing dead skin cells without harsh abrasion. This makes sugar scrubs an excellent choice for those with sensitive or delicate skin.
