Best Homemade Body Scrub: Coffee, Sugar, Coconut Oil and Vitamin E

I can’t wait to share this next recipe with you. But it’s not something you would eat (although you could), it’s actually for a natural, healthy skin product – saving you TONS of money vs. buying all kinds of skin products over the counter.  

It’s the best homemade body scrub: coffee, sugar, coconut oil and Vitamin E make the perfect combination and I will share why below! 

I absolutely love this recipe because I get to use my leftover coffee grinds. I love that I can get a second life out of those grounds in this super healthy Coconut Coffee Body Scrub recipe. 

And it’s not just using  your leftover coffee grinds, but a couple of other cheap staples like sugar and coconut oil and a fairly inexpensive super skin nutrient – Vitamin E oil. 

So before I tell you how to make the BEST homemade body scrub, let me first tell you why it’s the best homemade body scrub! 

Why rub used coffee grounds all over your body? 

This is one of my favorite parts of this recipe – using coffee grinds in homemade body scrub! It’s my favorite use of used coffee grinds too! Exfoliating

Coffee grinds are a softer exfoliating scrub that sloughs off dead skin with antioxidants and the caffeine that can improve collagen production in the skin. 

Skin Brightener

Because coffee contains antioxidants, it’s a perfect solution for a skin brightener to reveal younger looking, healthier skin – ridding of the dull, tired skin. 

Temporary Cellulite Reduction

I wish the word “temporary” wasn’t included here, but like the effects of the caffeine in coffee are only temporary for inside of your body, the cellulite reduction effects are also temporary. The main reason it works is because the caffeine increases circulation in the skin, temporary reducing the appearance of cellulite. 

In fact, it has been scientifically proven that coffee reduces the diameter of cellulite fat cells by 17%. Every little bit counts! 

Great for dry, tired, achy feet

This is one of my favorite uses! I love at-home pedicure/foot treatments. They are expensive to have done, but so easy and refreshing to do at home on a dime. 

The coffee foot rub is no exception. It’s AH-Mazing.  Your feet get a refreshed and achiness and tiredness is reduced. 

Protect skin from sun damage

Some sources say that rubbing coffee on your burned skin will help to heal and prevent skin cancer. This is because, “Caffeine helped protect against some skin cancers at the molecular level by inhibiting a protein enzyme in skin.” 

It’s certainly an aspect to point out! 

There are so many ways to use coffee grinds, but in the end, this beats them all for me! 

 Why rub coconut oil all over your body? 

Coconut oil is one of my favorite household supplies. We use it for everything from cooking, homemade beauty and personal care, eczema, oil pulling and so much more. We buy them by the 5 gallon tubs from Tropical Traditions when they have their big sale every once in a while. 

So of course we would include it with our favorite beverage – Coffee, in this recipe. But I want to share some reasons why coconut oil is good for your skin too. 

Soothes dry skin (and skin ailments)

Coconut oil is like the ultimate moisturizer. So it only makes sense to include it in a body scrub, especially for those living in very dry, desert climates like us. In addition, if you have skin conditions, coconut oil can help nourish to help your body complete the repair needed for things like eczema and psoriasis. 

Repairs skin and gives a healthy glow

Continuing on with added emphasis on the previous point, it helps to repair skin and skin damage, plus provides your newly brightened skin with that finishing glow. 

Protects skin from microbial bacteria

Coconut oil has antibacterial properties. That’s why it is used for so many other uses besides a cooking oil. Coconut oil is a medium-chain-fatty-acid in which Lauric Acid is the primary medium-chain fatty acid.

According to this article,”Approximately 50 percent of the fatty acids in coconut fat are lauric acid.  Lauric acid is a medium chain fatty acid, which has the additional beneficial function of being formed into monolaurin in the human or animal body.  Monolaurin is the antiviral, antibacterial, and antiprotozoal monoglyceride used by the human or animal to destroy lipid coated viruses such as HIV, herpes, cytomegalovirus, influenza, various pathogenic bacteria including listeria monocytogenes and helicobacter pylori, and protozoa such as giardia lamblia.”

What about sugar all over the body?

Everybody loves a bit of sugar in their lives. I mean why not outside the body instead of inside? There are far better benefits to applying sugar externally than ingesting it internally. Putting it on the outside is so popular that songs were even written about the benefits….

You know…. Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar On Me.” They were onto something in the 80’s. 😉 

But in all seriousness, including sugar in this homemade scrub has some incredible benefits that I have to mention. You can use either regular sugar, brown sugar or both! 

Extra Element of Moisture

Sugar is a natural humectant. What does that mean? 

According to Wikipedia, a humectant, “Attracts and retains the moisture in the air nearby via absorption, drawing the water vapor into or beneath the organism’s or object’s surface.” 

In other words, it pulls moisture out of the air and pulls it into the skin and keeps the moisture in your skin. 

Natural Source of Glycolic Acid

Yes, sugar is a natural source or glycolic acid, which is an alpha hydroxy acid. What is an alpha hydroxy acid? 

The cosmetics industry generally uses synthetic AHA because of the positive effects on the skin such as wrinkle reduction, softening defining lines, and in chemical peels to reveal prettier skin. 

Gentle Exfoliator

This is probably the primary reason you would assume sugar scrubs exist or that sugar is a leading ingredient in body scrubs and that is because it is a good exfoliator. Not too harsh, not too gentle – just right for the skin without causing discomfort or further issues to your skin. 

For our recipe, the exfoliator factor is the least important as the coffee is a primary source of exfoliating with the brightener ability. But it is still worth mention. I like using sugar for the other benefits mentioned. 

What about vitamin E all over the body?

We have shared three common ingredients that you probably have on hand. You can make this recipe with just the first three ingredients and have a wonderful skin treatment. But if you want to kick it up a notch, then you will want to add pure vitamin E oil to your recipe. 

And surprisingly, vitamin E in liquid form is not that expensive. 

So what are the benefits of vitamin E oil for the skin? 

Lightens scars and treats stretch marks

Vitamin E oil helps to regenerate new skin cells and can lighten brown spots or scars found on the face with a quicker skin cell turnover or rejuvenation. 

Nourishes the Skin

It is an oil and provides a different and deeper level of moisture. It is heavy, so only a little bit is needed to get the deep nourishing benefit. 

Minimizes Wrinkles

Vitamin E oil is a perfect natural solution for wrinkle prevention. According to this article, “Vitamin E oil prevents the formation of wrinkles by blocking free radical damage. It treats wrinkles by boosting collagen production, a connective tissue that keeps skin elastic. Vitamin E oil also treats wrinkles by supporting new skin cell growth and speeding up cell regeneration.” 

In The End

By using all of these ingredients together, you have created a powerhouse of skin care in one, frugal, diy, natural formula – Vitamin E oil or not! 

And once you try this, you will probably find that this might become one of your top preferred skin care products. I also have super sensitive skin, but because of these natural ingredients, this is a treat for my very sensitive skin. I generally can’t use a lot of products I buy because of how it affects my skin, so this is a nice treat for my skin…and my wallet too. 

Enough about all of the details, let’s get right into the recipe for Coconut Coffee Scrub. 

How to make the Best Homemade Body Scrub: 

 Coffee, Coconut Oil, Sugar and Vitamin E Scrub

Ingredients for the Best Homemade Body Scrub: Coffee, Coconut Oil, Sugar and Vitamin E

• 1 cup coffee grinds (used is perfect)
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 2-3 drops Vitamin E oil
• Optional – 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions for the Best Homemade Body Scrub: Coffee, Coconut Oil, Sugar and Vitamin E

1.   In a medium mixing bowl, add the coffee and both sugars.
2.   Mix in the coconut oil and stir until well incorporated.
3.   Add the vitamin E oil and vanilla (optional) and stir to mix.
4.   Transfer to an airtight container for use up to 6 months.

Use generously in the shower to get your legs and arms ready for summer!!

Along with this delicious recipe for the body – consider also trying out the Lemonade Sugar Scrub for Lips:

We have also made a cucumber mint body scrub which has different benefits too! 

You can print this recipe below! 

Pin this picture to Pinterest so you can remember this recipe!