There’s something quite comforting about that first cup of coffee in the morning. The smell alone feels like a small act of self care before the day begins. It’s warm, familiar and a little indulgent, like pressing pause before the world wakes up. And when you’ve finished your cup, those leftover coffee grounds can have a second life too. They make the most wonderful natural exfoliator, leaving your skin smooth, soft and gently polished.
You’ll need:
Two tablespoons of used coffee grounds
One tablespoon of coconut oil or olive oil
One teaspoon of dark brown sugar (optional for extra scrub)
One teaspoon of demerara sugar (optional for extra scrub)
Half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon (optional)
If you’re using fresh grounds straight from your morning brew, you can use them as they are, but for a smoother and longer lasting scrub, it’s best to dry them first. Simply spread your used coffee grounds onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper and let them air dry for a day, or place them in the oven on the lowest setting for about ten minutes until they feel dry to the touch. Once cooled, they’re ready to mix with your oil and sugar.
If you fancy adding a little ground cinnamon to the mix, go for it. Cinnamon is wonderful for promoting collagen and boosting blood circulation, which helps the skin look healthy and naturally radiant.
Mix everything into a paste and gently massage it into damp skin using circular motions. Rinse thoroughly. It wakes up your skin as well as your senses and leaves you smelling faintly of a fancy café.
Doing a gentle facial or body scrub once a week is a lovely way to detox, remove dead skin cells and help your complexion glow.
If you don’t fancy making your own coffee scrub, I hand make one that contains a little extra magic. It’s blended with care, packed with natural goodness and ready to give your skin that same fresh, polished glow. You can find it here: The Clean Slate face mask and clay.
Vegan friendly: Entirely, as long as your coffee and oil are plant based.