Coffee Scrubs appear to be the new kid on the block on social media as a way to get your skin looking it’s best. It seems I can’t go a day without my timeline on Instagram or Facebook showing me an image of someone covered in ground coffee grinning at me from a shower. So I figured the time was right for me to talk about why they have become so popular as part of a regular skincare routine.
Coffee scrubs exfoliate and nourish your skin leaving you feeling so silky smooth. I love a good coffee scrub, but at first wondered how they could work. I mean, how can coffee be good for your skin … surely the only benefits are from drinking it!! I did a bit of research and found the following information for you science types out there, as to why it’s so good.
Caffeine is effective in reducing the appearance of cellulite when rubbed on the body because it can actually reduce the fat content within our cells. It reacts with a specific enzyme within our cells known as phosphodiesterase. Our body uses phosphodiesterase to stop fat breakdown, but caffeine reacts with those enzymes, and by suppressing the phosphodiesterase, caffeine actually helps our body burn fatty tissue deposits that cause cellulite.
Sugar, another ingredient in coffee scrubs, contains naturally occurring Alpha Hydroxy acid which is well known in the beauty industry for its anti-wrinkle and moisturising properties. Sugar can also be used as a skin exfoliator and could also be helpful for reducing acne, eczema and psoriasis as it gently removes dry skin while unblocking the skin pores to remove dirt to reveal silky smooth skin.
Oils are also added to body scrubs and are rich in Vitamin E, antioxidants and naturally occurring fatty acids including oleic, linoleic and palmitic acids. These work to nourish and soften the skin and prevent moisture loss to relieve dry itching skin and also works on reducing redness and scarring.
So, Caffeine + Sugar + Oils = one amazing package of goodness for your skin. Yay!
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Benefits Of Exfoliating With A Coffee Scrub
Exfoliating regularly is a great way to maintain healthy, beautiful looking skin. But when you use a coffee scrub, there are even more benefits than you would get from just exfoliating alone. Not only will you be in love with the appearance, but you’ll also enjoy the following benefits:
- Exfoliating removes dead skin. This means that your body will get rid of toxins more quickly and result in a radiant glow.
- Coffee scrubs improve blood flow circulation.
- You’ll enjoy a more even tone using this type of scrub.
- Your skin will be soft and supple.
- Have stretch marks? Exfoliation can help reduce the signs.
- It’s great for anti-aging.
Another great benefit of exfoliating is that it’s quick, easy, and enjoyable. No matter your skin type, you will receive an instant glow! While it can make a mess, it can be very fun to apply! It will also give your bathroom a coffee smell that you’ll love.
As you can see, using the best coffee scrub brings so many benefits that go beyond appearance. You can purchase coffee scrubs online or at stores. You can even make your own coffee scrub if you’d like!
Recommendation
I recently tried Amber Ward’s All Natural Robusta Coffee Scrub Original which uses, fresh Robusta Coffee, Sweet Almond Oil, Himalayan Pink Mineral Salts, Brown Sugar, Orange Oil and Vitamin E. Amber’s coffee scrub does not use water as an ingredient, so in addition to the fact all the ingredients are natural, there are also no preservatives. The smell of this product is wonderful, a heady mix of fresh coffee, with a chocolatey oranges fragrance (could quite happily keep a packet open as a room fragrance!) I liked the packaging, which is reminiscent of a fresh ground coffee packet.
This coffee scrub is slightly finer than others I have used, which I found was far better to use for my face, it was also richer in texture, perhaps due to the fact there is no water in the ingredients, but I prefer this mix to others I have tried. I used the scrub all over my body and face. I left it on for five minutes before washing it all off and my skin instantly felt smooth, so so smooth. In fact, I called my girlfriends and said “Come over and feel how smooth my skin is!” Be prepared to spend an evening stroking yourself after using it. Seriously, it makes that much of a difference.
Yes, it gets a little messy in the shower when using it, but nothing in life worth having comes easy …… and this is worth having for the wonderful silky smooth skin you have after using it.
Although I don’t have sensitive skin, it is also fine for people who do, Amber herself formulated the recipe for his skin because she has problems with preservatives used in many products.
Amber Ward Coffee Scrub is not tested on animals which is a huge plus point for me, it is handmade in England, and contains only natural ingredients. This coffee scrub is suitable for body and face and the recommended use is 3 – 5 times per week.
How To Use
Using your coffee scrub can get a little messy. That is why you want to use it in the shower. Begin by wetting your skin. After it’s wet, turn off the shower (or jump out) and begin scrubbing in circles. Start at your feet and work your way up. Be sure you don’t press down too hard as that could irritate the skin.
Next, you want to let the scrub dry. Leave it on for about 10 minutes before rinsing off. Be sure to get all the material off your body before drying off. Experts recommend only exfoliating skin up to 3 times a week – doing more than that can be damaging.
Please note that if you have dry skin, you should stick with enzymes as they will be safer for exfoliating. Using sugar scrubs can be painful and damaging.
How Often Should You Exfoliate?
Is everyday too much? YES. Exfoliating with or without a coffee scrub every single day can be very bad for you. It will strip your skin of its natural oils, cause breakouts, and irritation. Think about it – you are removing the top layer of skin before it has enough time to heal.
Consequently, if you exfoliate every single day, you can thin out your skin. Thinner skin will lead to more noticeable wrinkles at an earlier age.
For this reason, it’s important that you don’t overdo it. Only exfoliate 2-3 times a week. When you’re done exfoliating, it’s a good idea to sooth the skin afterword. Apply a serum or your favorite lotion to moisturize and attain supple, youthful looking skin.
If you have sensitive skin, speak with your dermatologist about your options. If you have any negative reactions to the scrub, stop use immediately.
Additional Tips
First things first, check the ingredients. You want to be sure your coffee scrub contains sugar as this is essential to maintaining healthy skin. Sugar contains natural glycolic acid, which is great to nourish, moisturize, and protect skin from harsh toxins.
Consider the price. As with most people, your budget probably plays a major role in all your shopping decisions. Coffee scrubs are relatively cheap so don’t spend more than you need – the best coffee scrubs out there don’t cost too much.
If you happen to be breastfeeding, don’t apply the scrub to close to your breasts as your little one may not like the smell!
Lastly, don’t overdo it! We can’t stress this enough. Never exfoliate more than 3 times a week as this will cause premature aging when the whole point is to avoid it!
Conclusion
If you’ve never tried using a coffee scrub, we highly recommend it! It’s such a great way to relax after a long day and enjoy soft, healthy skin. Keeping the above in mind will allow you to use one correctly and choose a scrub that works. Let us know what you think after trying it!
