How to Use Coffee Grounds as a Body Scrub

Co-authored by Diana Yerkes

Last Updated: July 26, 2023 Approved

Coffee contains caffeine, which may help reduce the appearance of cellulite when used as a scrub. It can also help tighten your skin, and stimulate blood flow as well.^{[1]
X
Research source} While you can always buy a coffee scrub from the store, you can make a simple, cheaper one at home using ingredients from your cupboard.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Diana Yerkes
Skincare Professional

Expert Interview. 16 April 2019.}

Ingredients

Simple Scrub^{[3]
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1 cup (112 g) coffee grounds
1/4 cup (50 g) brown sugar
1/4 cup (52 g) coconut oil

Luxurious Scrub ^{[4]
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1/2 cup (56 g) coffee grounds
1/2 cup (115 g) coconut palm sugar
1/4 cup (52 g) coconut oil
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 tablespoon (7.5 mL) vanilla extract

Coffee Scrub Cubes^{[5]
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1/2 cup (56 g) coffee grounds
1/2 cup (105 g) coconut oil

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making a Simple Scrub

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1
Mix together the coffee grounds and brown sugar.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Diana Yerkes
Skincare Professional

Expert Interview. 16 April 2019.} Pour 1 cup (112 g) of coffee grounds into a bowl. Add 1/4 cup (50 g) of brown sugar. Stir the 2 ingredients together with a spoon or fork.
- You can use fresh or used coffee grounds, but make sure that they are dry.
- The sugar is there for exfoliation. The coarser the sugar is, the more exfoliating the scrub will be. For example, if you want a super-exfoliating scrub, try turbinado sugar.^{[7]
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- If you have sensitive skin, even normal sugar may be too harsh for you. Try brown sugar instead; it is much softer than other types of sugar.^{[8]
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  Expert Source
  
  Diana Yerkes
  Skincare Professional
  
  Expert Interview. 16 April 2019.}
2
Melt the coconut oil, allow it to cool, then stir it in. Melt 1/4 cup (52 g) of coconut oil in the microwave or over the stove in a double-boiler. Allow the oil to cool to room temperature, then stir it into the coffee-sugar mixture. Do not add the coffee-sugar mixture into the oil while it is still hot, or it will dissolve.
- Coconut oil is very nourishing and moisturizing for skin. If you can't find any coconut oil, or simply don't want to use it, you can try olive oil instead; you don't need to heat it.
- Coconut oil melts quickly; it should only take 10 to 15 seconds in the microwave, or 1 to 2 minutes over the stove.
- Coconut oil can clog drains. If you are concerned about this, consider using fractionated coconut oil; it is already in liquid form and doesn't harden.^{[9]
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3
Transfer the scrub into a glass jar. A short jar with a wide mouth will be the easiest to use and reach into. Avoid using plastic jars, as chemicals from the plastic can leach into the scrub.
- Keep a lid on the jar when you are not using the scrub. It does not matter if it is a latch-hook lid or a screw-on lid.
4
Use the scrub in the shower or bathtub 1 to 2 times per week.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Diana Yerkes
Skincare Professional

Expert Interview. 16 April 2019.} Scoop out about 1 tablespoon (7.5 g) of the scrub, and rub it over your arms and legs using a smooth, circular motion for about 60 seconds. Rinse the scrub off when you are done.
- You will probably need to use 3 to 4 tablespoons (30 to 45 g) total in order to exfoliate your entire body.
- Focus on the areas that have cellulite.^{[11]
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- Coffee scrubs tend to be harsher than other types of scrubs, so limit yourself to once or twice per week.^{[12]
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The scrub may last longer than that, but if you notice it starting to look or smell off, you should discard it.^{[13]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making a Luxurious Scrub

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1
Combine the coffee grounds with the coconut palm sugar. Pour 1/2 cup (56 g) of coffee grounds into a bowl, then add 1/2 cup (115 g) of coconut palm sugar. Stir them together with a spoon or fork.^{[14]
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- The coffee grounds can be used, but they must be dry.
- If you can't find coconut palm sugar, you can use other types of sugar, such as organic cane sugar or brown sugar.
- The sugar is there for exfoliation. The larger, coarser the grains are, the more exfoliating the scrub will be. If you want a gentle scrub, stick with brown sugar.
2
Heat the coconut oil, allow it to cool, then add it in. Melt 1/4 cup (52 g) of coconut oil in the microwave or in a double-boiler over the stove. Wait for it to cool to room temperature, then stir it into the coffee mixture. Don't add it in while it is still hot, or it will dissolve the coffee mixture.
- Coconut oil can melt quickly, so this should only take 10 to 15 seconds in the microwave or 1 to 2 minutes on the stove.
- Coconut oil can clog drains. If this of a concern to you, choose fractionated coconut oil; it is already in liquid form.
- If you can't get coconut oil, you can use another oil, such as olive oil. You don't have to heat it first.
3
Add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Not only will this help make your scrub smell great, but it will also help improve blood circulation and reduce wrinkles. Cinnamon also has antibacterial properties, making it great for acne.^{[15]
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- For a more fragrant scrub, add 1/2 tablespoon (7.5 mL) of vanilla extract in addition to the cinnamon. Note that this won't have any benefits for your skin.^{[16]
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4
Scoop the scrub into a glass jar. The best type of jar to use is a short jar with a wide opening because it will be easier to reach into than a tall jar with a narrow opening. Don't use a plastic jar, however, as the plastic can leach chemicals into the scrub.
- Keep the jar tightly sealed when you aren't using the scrub. It can have a screw-on lid or a latch-hook lid.
5
Use the scrub in the shower or bathtub. Use your fingers to scoop out about 1 tablespoon (7.5 g) of the scrub. Massage the scrub over your arms and legs using smooth, circular motions for about 60 seconds. Rinse the scrub off afterwards.
- This scrub contains coarse ingredients, so use it no more than once or twice per week.^{[17]
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You may be able to keep the scrub around longer than 2 weeks, but watch out for signs of mold. If the scrub starts to look strange or smell rancid, discard it.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making Coffee Scrub Cubes

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1
Melt the coconut oil, let it cool, then add the coffee grounds. Melt 1/2 cup (52 g) of coconut oil for 10 to 15 seconds in the microwave, then let it cool to room temperature. Stir 1/2 cup (56 g) of coffee grounds into the oil. You can use either fresh or used coffee grounds, but they need to be dry.^{[18]
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- Don't add the coffee grounds while the oil is still hot, or they will dissolve!
- Do not use any other type of oil for this, including fractionated coconut oil. You want the coconut oil to harden, and liquid oil won't do this.
- Be aware that coconut oil can clog drains. If this happens, simply run hot water down the drain to melt and clear the coconut oil.
2
Transfer the scrub into a muffin tin with a spoon. You can use a mini muffin tin or a regular-sized muffin tin. Keep in mind that you will be using only a small amount of the scrub at 1 time, so smaller is better here!
- There is enough scrub to fill up all of the compartments on 1 regular-sized muffin tin or 2 mini muffin tins.
- You will get about 12 large cubes from a large muffin tin, or 24 small cubes from 2 mini muffin tins.
- Silicone baking and ice cube molds are a great option, especially if you desire a cute shape!
3
Leave the scrub in the freezer until it's frozen. Place the muffin tin(s) into the freezer, then leave them there until the scrub hardens. This should only take 5 to 15 minutes, but it may take longer.
- The coffee grounds may separate from the coconut oil, which is fine.
A plastic Tupperware container or Ziploc bag would work great for this. This way, you will free up your muffin tin and will have more space in the freezer.
5
Use 1 to 2 coffee scrub cubes at 1 time. When you are ready to use the scrub, take 1 to 2 cubes into the shower with you, then rub them over your body using smooth, circular motions. The heat from the shower and your skin should cause them to melt quickly. Rinse the scrub from your skin when you are done.
- Plan on using 1 large cube or 2 small cubes.
- Like other types of coffee scrubs, this scrub is harsh, so don't use it more than once or twice per week.
6
Store the scrubs in the freezer when you are not using them. Not only will this help them keep their form, but it will also keep them dry. Even if you leave them in the fridge, you may get moisture into the coffee grounds, which can result in mold!
- The cubes can last several months in the freezer.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Can I exfoliate with coffee grounds?

Diana Yerkes
Skincare Professional
Diana Yerkes is a Skincare Professional and the Lead Esthetician at Rescue Spa in New York City, New York. With over 15 years of experience, Diana helps others with their skin care needs by incorporating natural and high-performing products and treatments into their routines while providing nutrition insights and educating clients on better skin care habits. Diana is a member of the Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) and holds certifications from the Wellness for Cancer and Look Good Feel Better programs. She received her esthetics education from the Aveda Institute, the International Dermal Institute, and the Biologique Research Academy.

Diana Yerkes

Skincare Professional

Expert Answer

A coffee scrub with sugar can be an amazing exfoliating or tightening treatment. Try a one-to-one mixture with coffee grounds and brown sugar. Apply it in the shower gently on your legs, thighs, stomach, and arms, and follow it with a body moisturizer after you've rinsed it off.

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Do coffee grounds help with baggy eyes?

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Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Staff Answer

Coffee is a diuretic and this quality can help in reducing baggy eyes temporarily. Mix 1 egg white with 2 teaspoons of coffee grounds to form a paste. Gently pat on the eye bag area; do not scrub or press it, as this eye area is delicate. Let it set, then gently wash off after 10 minutes. The combination of egg and coffee grounds should tighten the area nicely.

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What can you do with used coffee grounds?

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Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Used coffee grounds have many possible uses, not just as a body scrub. These other uses include improving compost and soil, feeding plants, deodorizing and making potpourri. This is just a few of the possible uses, you can find some ideas for uses of used coffee grounds here: How to Use Old Coffee Grounds Around the House.

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Tips

Consider using a tub stopper. This way, you can just remove the stopper and discard the grounds into the trash can.^{[19]
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If the coconut oil clogs the drain, run hot water for about 5 minutes to melt and clear the oil.^{[20]
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Scrub your entire body with a dry body brush before you step into the bath or shower. This will help stimulate your blood circulation make the scrub more effective.^{[21]
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Warnings

Be realistic in your expectations. While the scrub may improve the appearance of cellulite, you should consult a doctor if you wish to eliminate it completely.

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These scrubs may dry your skin, so be sure to use moisturizer afterwards.

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