DIY coffee body scrub recipe (in a jar and cubes)

Learn how to make two easy recipes for a homemade DIY coffee body scrub that stimulates circulation, gently removes dry skin and cleanses the pores. 

What is a coffee body scrub?

While we take good care of our faces, we tend to forget to deliver the same to our bodies. The coffee body scrub goes beyond the skin surface to remove dead skin and reveal new healthier skin underneath. A coffee scrub is great for exfoliating your skin but also gentle.

DIY coffee body scrubs are made with abrasive coffee grounds, oils, and butter that nourish, hydrate, and naturally exfoliate our skin, leaving it fresh, moisturized, and brand new.  Rubbing the coffee body scrub over our body enables lymph nodes to drain and stimulate blood circulation.

DIY coffee body scrub ingredients

organic coffee beans

As the main ingredient in this recipe, I used fresh organic coffee grounds. . Use fresh unbrewed coffee grounds  not brewed coffee grounds. Fresh contain antioxidants and caffeine that are beneficial for the body. 

Used coffee grounds contain less caffeine that is responsible for the firming/toning which will affect the final result.

If you decide to use used grounds, let them dry first before using them in this recipe.

What is the best oil to use in a sugar coffee scrub?

DIY coffee scrub without coconut oil

While most of DIY coffee scrub are using fractionated coconut oil, I decided to use a shea butter instead. Shea butter provides hydration, nutrition, and necessary skin lubrication without clogging pores or causing acne. Shea butter is very well tolerated by the skin and is practically non-comedogenic.

Using coconut oil on your face or in scrubs makes many people feel bad about their skin, especially if their skin is oily.

If you want to use this homemade sugar coffee scrub specifically for cellulitis, I suggest using aloe vera oil in addition to shea butter. Aloe oil is made by the maceration of aloe vera leaves in a carrier oil of your choice. This herbal infusion enables aloe vera to extract its medicinal properties into the oil.

Other oils you may consider are grapeseed oil which is extremely nourishing without leaving a greasy residue on the skin, as well as jojoba, almond or just simple olive oil will do.

I also used Vitamin E  in this recipe for extra nourishment. I’ve been creating a variety of bath and body recipes with vitamin E such as DIY deodorant, foaming bath butter or whipped mango body butter and always appreciated its properties.

If you have oily skin and you prefer to skip the oily part in this recipe, you can  make a sugar coffee scrub without oil and use honey instead.

What type of sugar to use in this homemade sugar scrub?

In this brown sugar coffee scrub, the right sugar coffee scrub consistency should be somewhat sandy, not soupy. To properly exfoliate the skin, we need to use grainy ingredients that scrub and exfoliate. As we avoid using any chemicals and focus on natural ingredients, we used ground coffee, brown sugar and rosehip powder. For gentle and soft exfoliation, opt for more ground coffee. 

Regarding sugar crystals, there are 4 types you can choose from depending on your skin type and the size of the granules.

The least processed sugar with the most minerals and large granules is Turbinaro sugar, which is suitable for normal skin types. Brown sugar with smaller granules is less abrasive and more suitable for sensitive skin. Try several types to see what works best for you.

For our project, I used brown sugar, which is an accessible ingredient that does a great job of removing dead skin cells.

To add some fragrance, I used vanilla and coffee extract. Both extracts add a delicious vanilla and coffee scent with additional medicinal benefits. Their anti-inflammatory and calming properties aide smoothe the skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Rosehip powder

Packed with antioxidants, fatty acids, and vitamin E makes a great addition to skincare products. In our case, it helps to exfoliate the skin. 

Why use Castilian soap in this recipe?

You might go for easy coffee and brown sugar scrubin a jar that looks beautiful in the picture however, its use is not so idyllic. The greasy component of the coffee scrub in a jar that nourishes your skin leaves the entire bathtub oily and slippery.

So I thought to add Castilian soap, a non-perfumed liquid soap base that gets along well with the other ingredients. 

Castilian soap gently removes impurities from the skin, making it easier to wash off the coffee and other nourishing components. Mooreover, It ensures that grease does not settle on the bathtub.

How to make coffee sugar scrub in a jar

First step

mix all loose ingredients – ground coffee,  brown sugar, and rosehip powder.

Second step

In a water bath, heat up the shea butter, add aloe vera oil and Castilian soap to the melted and slightly colled shea butter

Third step

Pour the liquid ingredients into the loose ones and mix thoroughly.

Fourth step

Adjust the consistency by adding more sugar or more oil if needed.

Fifth step

add a few drops of vitamin E oil, vanilla extract and coffee extract. 

If desired, add one or two drops of your favorite essential oil, and stir it into the mixture. Apply to your face and body and scrub gently.

How to Make a DIY coffee scrub in cubes

To turn coffee sugar scrub into cubes, you can use either grated unscented soap or melt and pour soap base. The soap topping is combined with a milky, exfoliating scrub base to create a scrub that exfoliates, moisturizes, and cleanses skin in one step.

Rather than applying a coffee body scrub with a spoon, grab one cube and massage all over your body. 

Cubes are not too messy and can be carried elsewhere. 

First step

Mix all loose ingredients in a bowl – ground coffee  brown sugar and rosehip powder

Second step

Chop Goat Milk Melt and Pour Soap Base into small pieces and melt it in a water bath or microwave using 30-60 second bursts.

Third step

Add shea butter and aloe vera oil to the melted base and mix in thoroughly. Add coffee and vanilla extract to the mixture.

Fourth step

Pour  the liquid ingredients into the loose ones and mix thoroughly.

Fifth step

Fill each mold cavity and spritz the soap with isopropyl alcohol to help get rid of bubbles. Allow the soap to cool and fully harden for several hours.

Sixth step

Remove from the mold and enjoy. You can wrap each bar individually in a plastic wrap to prevent glycerin dew.

Do coffee body scrubs work for cellulite?

According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, massages can help lymphatic drainage and stretch skin tissue to improve cellulite appearance. While a coffee body scrub for cellulite can help to reduce the appearance of cellulite, though it will not eliminate it completely.

Benefits of coffee include smoother and healthy skin.

Ground coffee, when applied in a circular motion together with the caffeine, stimulates blood and lymph circulation and may also tighten the skin, making your skin appear firmer.

DIY Coffee body scrub contains antioxidants such as phenol that promote overall healthier skin tone, have an anti-inflammatory effect, and brighten the skin.

Coffee scrub recipe makes a Perfect gift for coffee lovers

Underlined with the perfect aroma of vanilla and coffee, make this coffee and brown sugar scrub an excellent gift for coffee lovers.

If you have a coffee lover around you who deserves a little pampering, make a simple coffee and sugar scrub full of coffee and vanilla. Everyone loves coffee! And don’t forget to think about yourself and keep at least one glass for home!

Vanilla and coffee seem to be the perfect match. In addition, the vanilla scent has a beneficial effect on our minds and senses. It evokes calm and relaxation, can deal with bad moods and anxieties, and even acts as an aphrodisiac. So vanilla is made for evening rituals!

How to use the sugar body scrub

1. Use 2 tablespoons of the coffee body scrub and apply all over your body to exfoliate your skin.
2. Rub it gently in a circular motion to massage into your skin.
3. Rinse off thoroughly with warm or hot water, be careful if using the scrub in the shower, as the oil can make the floor slippery. Additionally, consider incorporating shower steamers for an enhanced aromatic experience.