How to Make the Best DIY Coffee Scrub for the Body, Face, and More!

Check Out This Coffee Scrub Guide with Tips and Helpful Facts for Radiant Skin All Over the Body!

Coffee is the perfect way to perk up in the morning, power through the afternoon, or compliment your favorite dessert. However, did you know that coffee can also help your skin? Coffee has many antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties such as antioxidants and chlorogenic acid. Not to mention, the consistency of coffee gives it the ability to unclog pores, which can help it reduce breakouts, minimize inflammatory redness, clear skin, soothe skin, and more. 

If that’s not enough, the caffeine in coffee has also been known to have lifting and rejuvenating effects that can be great for people seeking natural anti-aging methods for younger-looking skin. For these reasons, coffee is a fantastic ingredient to use in an exfoliating DIY scrub. Here are some tips on making your own at-home exfoliation coffee scrub. We will also discuss some of the benefits that using a coffee scrub may have for healthier skin. 

How to make a DIY coffee scrub

Ready to make your own DIY coffee scrub for skin exfoliation? Here's how! 

DIY Coffee Scrub Ingredients: 

• Ground Coffee - Coffee is the main antioxidant exfoliator in this scrub. Click here for organic Arabic coffee sourced responsibly from small coffee farmers in South America. About 1 cup should do the trick.
• Oil - Preferably, coconut oil. Olive oil and jojoba oil will work for the scrub as well. However, coconut oil is recommended due to its hydrating properties. You will need about half a cup of your preferred oil. 
• Rolled Oats - Rolled oats can help to reduce skin inflammation. All you need is around ⅓ cup of rolled oats.
• Salt or Sugar - Salt or sugar will be the polishing exfoliants in this scrub. Although coffee can help to reduce part of the upper dermal layer, salt or sugar will penetrate more deeply and effectively in correlation with the coffee grounds. About ½ half a cup of either will be enough to scrub down your body. 
• (Optional) Vanilla Extract / Cinnamon - If you don't like the scent of coffee, vanilla can help to cover up the smell. One or two drops are enough. Cinnamon has many amazing benefits for your skin as well. 

Coffee Scrub Instructions:

All you need to do is combine these ingredients to the desired viscosity. Then, do a patch test to make sure that your skin will not be irritated by using an exfoliating scrub like this. If the patch test checks out (see below), wet your skin with warm water. Use about a half-dollar-sized amount of scrub for each segment of your body. Gently scrub the skin in circular motions for 10 seconds to 30 seconds per area. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. Use all the exfoliation mixture per scrubbing session instead of trying to store it for later. This scrub is most effective when freshly prepared. 

How to do a Patch Test

Everyone's skin needs are slightly different. Conducting a patch test can help you avoid irritating your skin or having a negative reaction to a scrub of this kind. To do a patch test, first, wash off your arm from the wrist to the elbow and gently pat it dry. Then, rub a dime-sized amount of the coffee scrub onto the underside of your arm. This is where your skin will be most sensitive. Wait about 1 minute and then wipe the grounds off. If you do not notice a reaction to this scrub, you should be good to go. If you experience redness, hives, or itching, you will want to avoid using coffee scrubs on your skin. If you are prone to allergies or suspect that you may have a reaction to a scrub of this kind, you may want to wait 24 hours after your patch test before using this coffee scrub on your whole body. 

Tips for Using a Coffee Scrub Effectively on Cellulite 

You should gently massage the coffee scrub against your skin in a circular motion that matches the direction of your lymphatic flow. This means that you should make circular motions upwards towards the direction of your heart. This will improve the circulation of your skin and remove any excess water. When this happens, your skin becomes firmer and can reduce the appearance of cellulite or other deposits of fat beneath the skin. 

How Often Should You Exfoliate with Coffee Scrub?

To reap the full benefits of a coffee body scrub or any other exfoliating scrub, you will have to adjust consistency to your unique skin needs. The optimal frequency for using a coffee scrub like this will depend on your age, skin issues, skin type, and other individually specific factors. Consider implementing this method of exfoliation into your regular skincare routine based on your skin type. If you have dry or sensitive skin, you may want to try using this scrub twice a month at first. Monitor your results and adjust as needed. If you have oily or combination skin, you may want to try using this scrub weekly or even two times per week. 

Is Coffee Scrub Safe to Use on Your Body and Face?

According to board-certified dermatologists such as Robert Anolik, coffee scrubs are safe to use on your body and on your face. With that being said, some people experience a reaction known as allergic dermatitis from coffee grounds. So, if you don't drink coffee regularly, you might want to do a patch test before using a coffee scrub anywhere on your skin. This is especially true if you plan to use this scrub on the sensitive skin of your face. 

Benefits of Coffee Scrub

Coffee scrubs can be incredibly beneficial in reducing the appearance of cellulite and smoothing the skin all over your body. Indeed, coffee is widely recognized throughout the beauty industry as a beneficial ingredient in various skin care products. Moreover, body skin exfoliation is a critical step in skincare. 

The benefits of coffee scrub include: 

• Deep smoothing and buffing exfoliation 
• Inflammation reduction
• Pore unclogging effects 
• Blood-flow and circulation 
• Reduction in the appearance of cellulite 
• Antioxidants to help heal skin and even skin tone 
• Caffeine for a skin-tightening effect 
• Fluid retention reduction in skin 
• Acne reduction