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Ready to give your skincare routine a jolt? Then you may want to add a caffeine scrub to your beauty ritual. Generally made with coffee grounds and moisturizing oils like coconut and sweet almond, they’re excellent for brightening, tightening, and smoothing the skin.
They also help to increase circulation to your epidermis while reducing the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks. So whether you’re a coffee drinker or not, you may want to add this antioxidant powerhouse to your external beauty regime to enjoy the perks.
To help get you started, we’re going to fill you in on the different types of caffeine scrubs and their benefits. We’ll also let you know about a few of our favorites. But first, let’s talk about what you can expect to find in one of these scrubs.
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The Different Types of Coffee Scrubs
Coffee scrubs come in two types: face scrubs and body scrubs. And there is an important difference.
Coffee body scrubs generally contain coarser grounds of coffee along with oil for moisturizing and sometimes salt, sugar, or even walnut shells for extra exfoliation. While these work great on the rest of your body, they may be a little too intense for the more delicate skin on your face.
Caffeine scrubs for the face, on the other hand, usually contain finer grounds of coffee and leave out rougher ingredients like walnut shells and unrefined sugar, which could potentially cause microtears in the skin.
So tempting as it may be to buy one scrub for both areas, it’s better to invest in different scrubs for the face and body in order to fully enjoy the benefits. And speaking of the benefits, let’s go over what a caffeine scrub can do for your skin in more detail.
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The Benefits of Caffeine Scrubs
If you’re a neophyte when it comes to caffeine scrubs, here are a few things you should know about the great things they can do for your skin.
Coffee Scrubs Eliminate Dead Skin Cells and Improve Texture
Because coffee grounds are an effective physical exfoliant, they help to slough off dead skin cells and other impurities. The result? Brighter and smoother looking skin.
But that’s not the only way they improve your skin’s texture. Because coffee scrubs also contain antioxidants, they can help to rejuvenate your skin by promoting new cell growth!
Coffee Scrubs Improve Circulation
Yes, all face and body scrubs help to improve circulation. But because of the caffeine content, coffee scrubs will help to stimulate blood flow even more. And that, in turn, helps to nourish and rejuvenate your skin.
Coffee Scrubs Help to Tighten the Skin
Because caffeine improves circulation while eliminating excess water, coffee scrubs also have a tightening effect on the skin.
Coffee Scrubs Are Anti-Inflammatory
Coffee scrubs also contain polyphenols and hydrocinnamic acid, which help to reduce red and inflamed skin.
Coffee Scrubs Can Help Reduce the Appearance of Cellulite
Coffee scrubs won’t eliminate cellulite, but they can reduce its appearance. First of all, they help to dilate blood vessels and improve blood flow which helps combat cellulite formation.
Secondly, they contain antioxidants that fight free radicals and promote smoother plumper skin.
Finally, coffee scrubs help to reduce the appearance of cellulite dimples by eliminating excess water, which, in turn, tightens the skin.
Coffee Scrubs Can Reduce the Appearance of Stretch Marks
As with cellulite, coffee scrubs are not a cure for stretch marks; but they can reduce their appearance by eliminating dead skin cells and promoting collagen production. Still, don’t expect an overnight solution. You may have to use a coffee scrub for a few months before you notice a difference.
Coffee Scrubs Help to Fight Acne
Like many scrubs, caffeine scrubs will help to fight acne by removing dead skin cells and unclogging pores. But because they contain coffee, there are added benefits. Specifically, the chlorogenic acids they contain help to fight acne-causing bacteria.
And as mentioned above, because they are anti-inflammatory, coffee scrubs also help to decrease the redness and swelling associated with acne.
Coffee Scrubs Can Help Slow the Signs of Ageing
Chock full of antioxidants, coffee scrubs can help to protect your skin by fighting fine lines, dull or dry skin, sunspots and large pores.
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Our Favorite Caffeine Scrubs for the Face
Up for trying a coffee scrub? Here are a few of our favorites which we’ve separated into face scrubs and body scrubs.
Made without harsh exfoliants, these scrubs are the perfect combination of gentle and tough for that delicate skin on your face.
1. Frank Body Original Face Scrub
Frank Body also makes a wonderful caffeine scrub for the rest of your body, but this creamy scrub is made specifically for the delicate skin on your face. Formulated with a finer grind of robusta coffee, it also contains bamboo and walnut shell powder (instead of shells) to gently buff away dead skin.
Plus, the addition of almond, coconut and rosehip oil helps to moisturize and recondition the skin while fighting fine lines. What’s not to love?
2. Natural Elements Botanicals Moisturizing Facial Polish
This gentle face scrub combines the antioxidant power of coffee with bamboo powder to buff and energize the skin without harsh exfoliants. The addition of aloe vera, hyaluronic acid and shea butter also helps to make it moisturizing and super nourishing.
We also love that this scrub is vegan, cruelty-free and has no added fragrance. Plus, it has a 90-day money-back guarantee. A sure bet all around!
3. The Outset Exfoliating Caffeine Micro Polish
Not jazzed about rubbing actual coffee grounds on your face? Then try this caffeine infused micro polish that uses fine perlite to gently exfoliate the skin without being abrasive. Plus, your skin will still get the shot of caffeine for improved circulation, brightness and all of the other benefits that its antioxidants deliver.
This product also has the Sephora Clean + Planet Positive seal, which means it’s formulated without certain ingredients that are harmful to your health and the planet. A beautifully healthy choice!
Our Favorite Caffeine Scrubs for the Body
Want to smooth and rejuvenate the skin on your body while reducing the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks? Then give these body scrubs a try!
4. Frank Body Original Coffee Scrub
This 100% natural and vegan coffee scrub works magic on your skin with the power of robusta coffee grounds. It also contains antioxidant rich sweet almond oil, vitamin E for extra protection from free radicals and salt to tackle dry flakey skin without irritating it.
What it doesn’t have? Harmful parabens or phthalates! Your skin will drink up the love.
5. PureSCRUBS Arabica Coffee Scrub
We love the list of organic ingredients in this handcrafted, vegan, cruelty and chemical free scrub. And as an added plus, it comes with several sweet gifts. Inside the package, you’ll find a wooden spoon for stirring the scrub, an organic oatmeal soap and a 3-inch loofah pad.
Organic arabica coffee combined with aloe vera, argan oil and other organic ingredients will help you to exfoliate, nourish and moisturize your skin. This particular scrub has a mild coconut scent, but you can also opt for vanilla, peppermint or the original just plain coffee version with no added essential oils.
Whichever one you choose, your skin will love you for it!
6. Brooklyn Botany Arabica Coffee Scrub
Brooklyn Botany’s arabica coffee, salt and vitamin-E-rich sweet almond and jojoba oil formula make a powerfully rejuvenating combination for your skin. And at only about $10, it’s also great for your budget.
Added plus? It’s made in the USA, cruelty free and contains no sulfates or parabens.
7. Majestic Pure Coffee Scrub
Made with organic Kona coffee, dead sea salt and moisturizing ingredients like organic shea butter and organic almond, olive and grape seed oil, this scrub is perfect for purists and clean beauty fanatics who want to up their skincare game.
8. First Botany Arabica Coffee Scrub
Another organic option on our list is this high-caffeine scrub from First Botany. Rejuvenate, moisturize and exfoliate your skin with ingredients like organic Kona coffee, organic shea butter, and organic almond, olive and grape seed oil.
Dead sea salt also gives this scrub extra exfoliating powers.
9. Brazilian Belle Coffee Scrub
The main ingredient of Brazilian Belle’s non-GMO, paraben and cruelty free formula is Kona coffee. It also contains dead sea salt for extra exfoliation and moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil and olive oil. And for a little extra love for your skin, this formula also boasts hydrolyzed collagen.
No wonder it gets glowing reviews! Just be aware that you will pay a little extra for all those skin-nourishing ingredients, as this scrub clocks in at about $30 for 8 ounces. And because it contains hydrolyzed collagen, it’s also not vegan.
10. Baaww Arabian Coffee Scrub
We love a scrub with organic ingredients and couldn’t resist adding another one to our list. This formula contains organic Arabian coffee, organic olive oil, organic sweet almond oil and organic shea butter, as well as dead sea salt and a few other natural ingredients.
And if you want to indulge your skin a little further, this scrub also contains hydrolyzed collagen. Of course, if you’re vegan, you’ll want to try a different option.
11. Betty Rose Botanicals Coffee Scrub
All of the ingredients in this vegan and cruelty-free scrub made from Arabica coffee seed powder have a molecular weight of under 500 daltons which helps it to better penetrate the skin. It’s also paraben, sulfate and silicone free.
12. Milaganics Coffee Scrub
This coffee scrub is the creamiest on the list and has a consistency almost like body butter. The main ingredients are robusta coffee powder and brown sugar. And for extra moisturizing, it also contains honey, olive oil, rice bran oil, aloe vera and vitamin E.
A Few Coffee Scrub Need-to-Knows
Before you try a coffee scrub, here are a few things to keep in mind.
Don’t Over Do It
Like any physical exfoliant, you don’t want to overuse coffee scrubs as they could end up irritating the skin. Depending on your skin type and how sensitive your skin is, that means you don’t want to use them more than 1 to 3 times a week at most.
Use gentle circular motions to get a deep scrub without causing irritation. You don’t need much pressure to leave your skin feeling softer and smoother.
Also, be sure to patch test before you slather one all over your body and choose a scrub that’s specially made for faces if that’s an area you plan to use it.
Coffee Scrubs Smell Like Coffee (Duh)
If you love the smell of coffee, then you should have no problem with the aroma of a coffee scrub. But in case you’re averse to strong smells, you may want to keep that in mind before you buy one.
Be Prepared for a Little Clean Up
Because they usually contain actual coffee grains and moisturizing oils, coffee scrubs can be a little messy to use and clean up. But for many fans, it’s totally worth the little bit of extra work they involve considering all of the great benefits.
Be Sure to Read the Label
No matter which coffee scrub you choose, be sure to read the label to ensure there are no harsh chemical ingredients to irritate your skin. And if the product is cruelty free and organic, even better. Your skin will thank you for your clean beauty choices!
Wrapping Up
Keeping all of the above in mind, a coffee scrub can be an aromatic way to brighten, tighten and help you achieve smoother skin texture overall. So even if you don’t drink a cup of coffee to pick you up in the morning, you may want to consider a caffeine scrub for a bonafide beauty boost.
You may also be interested in: Our 7 Favorite Caffeine Sleeping Masks
The 12 Best Caffeine Scrubs for Face and Body:
- Frank Body Original Face Scrub
- Natural Elements Botanicals Moisturizing Facial Polish
- The Outset Exfoliating Caffeine Micro Polish
- Frank Body Original Coffee Scrub
- PureSCRUBS Arabica Coffee Scrub
- Brooklyn Botany Arabica Coffee Scrub
- Majestic Pure Coffee Scrub
- First Botany Arabica Coffee Scrub
- Brazilian Belle Coffee Scrub
- Baaww Arabian Coffee Scrub
- Betty Rose’s Botanicals Coffee Scrub
- Milaganics Coffee Scrub