How To Make A DIY Coffee Scrub, Plus 5 Easy Recipes To Try

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How to Make a DIY Coffee Scrub, Plus 5 Easy Recipes to Try

Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — Written by Morgan Armstead on August 11, 2021

Coffee skin benefits
Safety
How to DIY a coffee scrub
Recipes
How to use
Expiration
Old vs. fresh grounds
Frequency
When to avoid scrubs
The bottom line

Ever thought of turning your coffee beans into a body scrub?

Learning about the different uses of coffee and its skin benefits might make you want to give it a try. (Besides, who said you had to limit your coffee use to your morning cup of Joe?).

Plus, there may be benefits to scrubbing it on your skin. Read on to find out what the benefits are and how to create your own coffee scrub at home.

Is coffee good for your skin?

Yes — or, at least, it’s possible the caffeine and other ingredients in it are.

In fact, a 2013 study found that caffeic acid, an antioxidant found in coffee, may increase collagen production, which may help reduce signs of skin aging.

A 2015 study found a correlation between coffee drinking and reduced “photoaging” effects — in this case, defined as pigmented spots and wrinkles.

One caveat: As we’ve written before, most coffee-related research focuses on either drinking coffee or using cosmetic products that contain caffeine, not necessarily coffee scrubs themselves. So it’s hard to generalize the results of these studies to coffee scrubs specifically.

However, there’s likely no harm in using a coffee scrub on your body, with one exception (more on that below).

And, like other kinds of exfoliation, it can:

slough off dead skin cells
help unclog pores
promote brighter skin
temporarily reduce the effects of cellulite

Is a coffee scrub safe to use on your body and face?

Robert Anolik, a board certified dermatologist, says coffee scrubs are safe to use on the face and body.

However, he cautions that some people develop allergic dermatitis from coffee grounds.

If you’re not someone who already makes or drinks coffee on a regular basis, it’s a good idea to do a patch test on your arm before using a coffee scrub.

How to do a patch test

Wash your arm from your wrist to your elbow, and pat it dry.
Rub a small amount of coffee grounds onto a small area of the underside of your arm.
Wipe the grounds off.
Wait 24 hours. If there’s no reaction, you’re good to go. If you experience redness, itching, or hives, you’ll want to avoid using a coffee scrub on your skin moving forward.

How to make a DIY coffee scrub

Dr. Dee Anna Glaser, a board certified dermatologist in St. Louis, MO, recommends including a few staple ingredients in your scrub, such as:

Coffee. You can’t have a coffee scrub without coffee! Plus, it serves as an antioxidant.
Oil. Glaser recommends coconut oil as a moisturizer, because it doesn’t contain any skin-irritating chemicals. But jojoba oil, olive oil, and grapeseed oil work as well.
Rolled oats. These can help reduce inflammation on the skin.
Vanilla extract. You can use this to cover up the coffee scent if you’re not a fan, or you can use it as a relaxing aroma.
Salt or sugar. These serve as the actual exfoliants in your scrub.

The instructions for the recipes below are the same:

Simply combine ingredients until you reach your desired thickness.
Then, gently scrub the mixture onto your face or body.
Rinse off with water.

Easy DIY recipes

Coffee and coconut oil scrub

If you’re looking for something quick and easy, or if you’re a beginner at DIY projects, here’s a good recipe for you.

Ingredients

1/2 cup coffee grounds
1/4 cup coconut oil
2 tbsp. water

Coffee and sugar scrub

Ingredients

1/2 cup coffee grounds
1/2 cup sugar (either brown sugar or granulated sugar works fine)
1/4 cup coconut oil
2 tbsp. water

Coffee and Himalayan salt scrub

Himalayan salt has many properties that are great for the skin, such as treating acne and psoriasis, and delivering magnesium.

Ingredients

1/2 cup coffee grounds
1/2 cup Himalayan salt
1/4 cup coconut oil
2 tbsp. water

Coffee and baking soda scrub

Baking soda is an alkaline substance that helps the body maintain its pH levels.

Ingredients

1/2 cup coffee grounds
1/2 cup baking soda
1/4 cup coconut oil
2 tbsp. water

Coffee and rolled oats scrub

Ingredients

1/2 cup coffee grounds
3/4 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup coconut oil
2 tbsp. water

How to add it to your routine

According to Glaser, the easiest way to apply your scrub is simply by stepping into your tub or shower.

Gently scrub the mixture over your body or face in a circular motion, and then rinse off with warm water. That’s it!

How long will my scrub last?

Since your DIY scrub will lack the preservatives that cosmetic products contain, Glaser recommends keeping your scrub for no longer than a week in an airtight container to eliminate the possibility of fungus and mold growing.

Can I use old coffee grounds for a scrub?

While you can use old coffee grounds to create your scrub, both Anolik and Glaser suggest using fresh grounds.

Glaser states that the older grounds could affect the texture of the scrub. Plus, fresh coffee grounds contain higher levels of caffeine and antioxidants, which may boost any skin-related benefits.

The bottom line: the fresher, the better.

How often should you exfoliate?

How often you should exfoliate depends on your individual skin type.

“Usually an exfoliation 1 to 2 times a week is most helpful and balances associated irritation,” Anolik says.

Glaser says if you have dry or flaky skin, you may benefit from exfoliating 3 to 4 times per week.

However, if you notice any redness, irritation, or cuts developing, stop exfoliating and speak with your doctor.

When not to use a coffee scrub

You shouldn’t use a coffee scrub if you have a coffee allergy or if you see that you’re having a bad reaction.

Glaser also cautions against using a scrub if you have acne, rosacea, or eczema, or if you’re using any retinoid-containing products, since they can make your skin more sensitive.

The bottom line

Coffee has many great uses in and out of your body. Creating your own DIY scrub is an easy way to achieve smooth, healthy skin.

Morgan Armstead is a senior at Johnson C. Smith University and an intern with Healthline, writing beauty and wellness material.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Anolik R. (2021). Personal interview.
Fukushima Y, et al. (2015). Skin photoprotection and consumption of coffee and polyphenols in healthy middle-aged Japanese females.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijd.12399
Glaser DA. (2021). Personal interview.
Magnani C, et al. (2013). Caffeic acid: A review of its potential use for medications and cosmetics.https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/getauthorversionpdf/c3ay41807c

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Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — Written by Morgan Armstead on August 11, 2021

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Skin Care

Is coffee good for your skin?

Is a coffee scrub safe to use on your body and face?

How to do a patch test

How to make a DIY coffee scrub

Easy DIY recipes

Coffee and coconut oil scrub

Ingredients

Coffee and sugar scrub

Ingredients

Coffee and Himalayan salt scrub

Ingredients

Coffee and baking soda scrub

Ingredients

Coffee and rolled oats scrub

Ingredients

How to add it to your routine

How long will my scrub last?

Can I use old coffee grounds for a scrub?

How often should you exfoliate?

When not to use a coffee scrub

The bottom line

How we reviewed this article:

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