How to make your own Coffee Ground Scrub?

Did you know that the spent coffee grounds you’re left with after brewing coffee, can still be used?

Well, not for another round of brewing, of course.

Here at Alliance Coffee, we tend to collect spent coffee grounds generated by our coffee cart and drop them off at our community garden’s compost bin. That said, not everyone has a compost bin nor maintain a garden at home, especially in Singapore.

This could be a (perhaps) better way to increase the lifespan of your spent coffee grounds – make your own coffee ground scrub!

What’s a Coffee Ground Scrub?

As its name suggests, it’s a scrub made with coffee grounds. It is usually composed of coffee grounds and olive oil (or water).

Coffee ground scrubs can be used on the hair, body and face. It is believed to be useful for skin exfoliation, promoting blood circulation and helps reduce cellulite, stretch marks and acne.

Although the benefits have been highlighted by many beauty publications, do note that there is currently a lack of scientific studies backing such claims.

Sounds like something you’d try?

If so, you’d probably be wondering: “How to make my own coffee scrub?”

Simple DIY Coffee Ground Scrub Recipe

There are many DIY coffee ground scrub recipes and most of them are fairly simple.

Instead of using fresh coffee grounds, our recipe focus on the use of spent coffee grounds instead.

Ingredients

• Used coffee grounds
• Coconut oil, cold-pressed olive oil or water

Instructions

1. Measure out equal parts used coffee grounds and coconut oil or olive oil
2. Mix well

Simply mix them well in equal proportion and you’re ready to go.

You can use this coffee ground scrub on your face, body and even hair.

How to Use Coffee Scrub on Your Face or Any Other Part of Your Body

It’s really simple to use as well:

1. Rub coffee ground scrub onto your face or body. Do this gently, there’s no need to rub till your skin turns red.
2. Leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Rinse off thoroughly with warm water.

Try to do this in a sink or a bathtub as the coffee grounds could make a mess in the shower.

Coffee Ground Scrub Recipe Variations

To spruce up your coffee ground scrub, consider adding:

• Honey: this is usually added if you plan to use the scrub on your lips. Honey is also known for its antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
• Scent like vanilla or lavender: these will immediately upgrade your scrub into a spa-like experience.

3 Benefits of using Coffee Ground Scrub

1) Exfoliation

Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells to reveal new healthy cells beneath. Some people believe this will improve their skin’s appearance, but do note that if done incorrectly, it could make your skin worse.

Coffee ground scrubs are commonly used as an exfoliator that penetrates into the pores of the skin to remove dead skin cells. You’ll find body scrubs and face scrubs made from coffee grounds.

The coarse texture of the coffee grounds helps to remove dead skin. This provides a deep cleanse which can help with certain skin conditions such as acne or clogged pores.

Compared to store-bought beauty scrubs, coffee ground scrubs are said to be a relatively more gentle way to exfoliate your skin while reducing the potential of physical and chemical damage as compared to harsher ingredients.

2) Reduce Cellulite

Used coffee grounds retain a good amount of caffeine in them. According to a publication in the American Chemical Society, spent coffee grounds contain between 3.59 to 8.09 milligrams of caffeine per gram of used coffee grounds.

The caffeine content in coffee ground scrubs is said to be useful in dilating blood vessel and promote blood circulation which helps reduce the appearance of cellulite. It also helps reduce inflammation and redness of the skin, eliminate excess water and prevent acne.

That said, please manage your expectations and do not expect the coffee ground scrub to work miracles. Users have reported a reduction but not complete removal of cellulite. You can see some before and after comparisons of using coffee ground scrubs on YouTube here.

3) Antioxidants and other nutrients

Other than caffeine, coffee grounds are said to contain antioxidants like phenols which help to rejuvenate the skin and reduce free radicals in the skin which slows down ageing.

Spent coffee grounds are also rich in magnesium, potassium and manganese which are said to be great for the skin.

Are there any downsides to using coffee grounds as a scrub?

Nothing is perfect. So yes.

Firstly, homemade coffee ground scrubs can be messy to apply. You’ll want to get a filter for the drain in your bathroom and be prepared to clean up after using the scrub. The coffee ground and oil mixture might clog up your drain if not cleared properly.

Secondly, it is not suitable for all skin types. Those with sensitive skin might suffer from acne breakouts after using scrubs. You should understand your own skin type before using any beauty products.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of day to use coffee grounds scrub on my skin?

Simply use it just before you shower.

Do note that you do not need to use it daily. Once a week or even once a month is sufficient.

Can I make a coffee ground scrub without coconut oil?

Yes you can. Simply mix the used coffee grounds with equal parts water for a simple scrub.

What is the best way to use coffee grounds on my skin?

Rub gently, leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes then rinse off with warm water.

Would you give it a go?

A common way to maximise used coffee grounds would be to would dump them in the compost bin or use them as fertilisers. However, not everyone has access to one.

Making your own used coffee ground scrubs could give your spent coffee grounds a second lease of life. Would you give it a go?

p.s. looking for more ways to reuse your coffee pucks or grounds? Here’re 7 ideas.