If you’ve hung around here any time at all, you will know that I love skincare and self-care. I am constantly paying attention to the new trends in skincare and in the forefront of beauty. I also love to be a guinea pig when it comes to testing out new products. Having said all of that, in this economically (and quite frankly, everything else ) unstable time, I feel like it isn’t the right priority to be focusing on spending money on products. So, what better time than now to utilize ingredients that we have in our homes to beautify ourselves and give our minds & bodies the TLC that we deserve.
Today’s DIY recipe is a cellulite reducing and skin firming coffee scrub. More than likely you have these few ingredients at home (one of which you have probably been tossing in the trash daily), and if not, add them to your grocery list, or delivery order!
First, let’s talk the science behind why this recipe is beneficial:
Coffee Grounds
As we know, coffee contains caffeine…which is why so many of us drink it. In the case of why we use coffee grounds on our body, it is thought that the caffeine can help to dilate the blood vessels, which in turn, reduces the appearance of cellulite and skin dimpling. Coffee is also rich in antioxidants, which can help to improve overall skin tone & ward off free radicals in the body. Another benefit comes from the exfoliation that the coffee grounds give: the natural removal of dead skin cells. So, although coffee grounds won’t magically get rid of our cellulite, it may help to reduce the appearance!
Not sure about you, but knowing the power punch that coffee grounds pack, it’ll be hard to toss them aside moving forward.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is like the holy grail in our home. We use it for so many things– cooking, polishing & moisturizing the fiddles, all over body moisturizer (I don’t know the last time I used lotion from a bottle) and if you didn’t already know, coconut oil makes a great natural lubricant 🙂 you can thank me later.
Anyway, coconut oil is known for reducing inflammation, keeping the skin moisturized and helping to heal wounds. Another beautiful thing about coconut oil is that it is antimicrobial, meaning it can help to treat skin conditions as well as protects the skin from harmful bacteria. Disclaimer: I do NOT use coconut oil on my face. I have acne prone skin and I find that coconut oil clogs the pores on my face. I DO use coconut oil for removing my eye makeup though, it’s fantastic, and gentle and also helps to moisturize and grow lashes!
Olive Oil
The vitamin content in olive oil is insane: A, D, E and K. Some of which are shown to be soluble by the skin. These vitamins work together to help reduce the appearance of scarring!
Vitamin E Oil
I slather myself in pure vitamin E & coconut oil from my neck to my toes the day I find out I’m pregnant, until the day I give birth. Fingers crossed I don’t jinx my last weeks of this pregnancy, but I don’t have any stretch marks from any of my pregnancies so far. It is super moisturizing and healing. Vitamin E has been used throughout the course of history to treat a range of skin conditions.
Okay, so now that you know why the ingredients are used, let’s learn how to make this.
WHAT YOU NEED:
- 1 cup Coffee Grounds: if you want to pack even more of a caffeine punch, use fresh grounds that haven’t been brewed yet.
- 3/4 Sugar: you can use brown or white.
- 1/2 cup Coconut Oil (melted).
- 1/4 cup Olive Oil
- **2 tbsp Vitamin E Oil: not totally necessary, but I add it just for the extra benefits.
- ** Essential Oil for fragrance, if you want.
WHAT TO DO:
- Combine coffee grounds and sugar in a small bowl.
- Pour in olive oil, melted coconut oil, vitamin E oil & essential oils (if you’re using).
- Using a fork, mix until well combined
- Transfer to an air tight jar for storage. I have used baby food jars, as well as old jelly jars. You can literally use whatever you have on hand. In an airtight container your scrub will last roughly a few weeks. If the temp is above 76 degrees the coconut oil will start to melt. If you want to make it last even longer, or keep it’s solidified form, store it in the fridge
HOW TO USE:
Get in the shower. Scoop a bit into your hand, massage your body in circular motions. Rinse off, pat your skin dry and marvel at how healthy and glow-y you are. Side note: oil and coffee grounds aren’t things that your shower/drain are used to handling…so, use only as much as you need, and be sure to run really hot water for a minute or two after your shower to help drain! Enjoy!
One woman’s trash, is another’s beauty secret . xo, G
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