Coconut oil is having a major moment (one that’s lasted a few years & is still going strong), and I can’t help but admit that I’ve jumped on the bandwagon. I’ve been using this stuff in excess – adding it to my coffee, using it as lotion, cooking and baking with it…I basically go through it like water. I’ve been meaning to make my own body scrub out of this magical ingredient, and I took the plunge this weekend. I hit up Pinterest for some inspiration, and I combined a few recipes I found to create this amazing concoction – a coffee & coconut oil body scrub. Let me start by breaking down the ingredients and the benefits they provide for your skin.
Coffee
Coffee contains antioxidants, which means it will prevent your skin from aging prematurely. It also is an anti-inflammatory AND improves circulation. Improved circulation reduces the appearance of cellulite, temporarily (I know, disappointing, but it’s better than nothing).
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is loaded with saturated fats, and these fats keep your skin hydrated and moist. It also contains Vitamin E, which delays the appearance of wrinkles. Vitamin E also treats various skin conditions such as sunburn, eczema, and psoriasis. It can even help with bug bites, as it has antifungal and antiviral properties too.
Brown Sugar
Not only does brown sugar keep your skin hydrated, but it helps your skin cells regenerate faster. This means your body gets rid of those nasty dead skin cells more quickly, and brings those fresh new cells to the surface. The sugar particles themselves are also a great exfoliant.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is similar to coconut oil in the sense that it’s loaded with Vitamin E and also helps moisturize dry or irritated skin.
Sea Salt
Like sugar, salt has great exfoliating properties. It also helps detoxify your skin, along with removing dead skin cells. It reduces fluid retention (you know, what you feel after you go out for too many drinks or eat a super salty meal – a.k.a. story of my life), and improves circulation.
Convinced yet? Thought so. Here’s how you make it:
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup ground coffee (Tip: save the leftover ground coffee in your coffee pot and use it for the scrub!)
- 1/2 cup raw brown sugar
- 2-3 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp sea salt
Mix the dry ingredients first, and then add the oils. Voila! You now have an all natural, moisturizing, cellulite busting, anti-aging scrub. This scrub would also make an awesome gift – just wrap it up in a little mason jar and gift away.
