At Eden's Kiss, one of my favorite morning pleasures is to make a fresh latte. I enjoy the aromatic skunky scent of freshly ground espresso beans, the phtting of the steam transforming the milk to a delightful froth inside the rim of my favorite coffee mug. These days, coffee is gaining increasing popularity not only as a beverage that is rich in antioxidants, but also as a beauty treatment. At some ritzy spas in Japan, one can literally swim in a rejuvenating pool of coffee. In addition to soaking in our own tubs filled with coffee, we can also consider what remains.
What’s great about warm coffee grounds? As an all-natural beauty ingredient, caffeinated coffee can function an astringent, antioxidant, detoxifier and exfoliant. This means our freshly brewed coffee grounds can be incorporated into a cellulite-busting body scrubs and body masks.
Finely ground coffee functions as a gentle exfoliant that smoothes away dry, dead skin cells, while supporting improved circulation to the skin and temporarily reducing the appearance of dimpled skin. How so? Beauty experts say the caffeine in the grounds constricts blood vessels, causing skin to temporarily appear tighter, firmer and smoother.
When we add seaweed to the brew, we get additional detoxification support. Although seaweed generally has a strong, inherent “ocean” scent, the coffee in the recipes below masks the seaweed scent. Hence, we can enjoy the additional benefits seaweed offers our skin without having to hold our breath.
Eden's Kiss offers recipes for two simple spa quality coffee beauty treatments below that can be used to treat arms, buttocks and thighs. We’re don't claim that coffee will produce instant miracles. However, we do believe these all-natural coffee beauty treatments can complement healthy eating habits and daily exercise. (As with trying any new product, please patch test the recipes below to rule out any unexpected allergies).
(Note: coffee and seaweed products may stain light colored linens--including wash cloths and bath mitts!)
Coffee-Seaweed Smoothing Scrub
In a small glass bowl, blend together:
½ cup of warm, freshly brewed coffee grounds (finely ground)
½ cup of sea salt
3 T. honey
2 T. olive oil
¼ c. kelp powder
25 drops pure coffee essential oil (optional)
¼ c. to 1/3 c. of warm water
Gradually add water to the blended ingredients to form a smooth thick paste that will easily spread upon the skin without dripping. Aim for the consistency of “mud.”
Warm your bathing area. Apply the coffee scrub to your arms, buttocks and thighs. Use gentle stroking motions that move upward in the direction of your heart. Massage your limbs and dimpled areas to improve circulation and to help break up cellulite deposits. Think loving, healing thoughts for all the work your wonderful body does each day. Rinse your body with warm water and pat dry. Your skin will be blissfully soft.
(Please note: the oil in this scrub can cause your shower or tub to become slippery; please be careful to avoid slipping. Also, although this scrub rinses away easily, you will have to rinse some residual grounds from your tub or shower).
For those who, don’t want to deal with having to rinse away coffee grounds from the shower, we can quickly mix together this instant coffee treatment below.
Instant Coffee Cellulite Treatment
In a small glass bowl, blend together:
1 T kelp powder
2 T. instant espresso coffee powder
Gradually add approximately 2 T. of warm water to form a smooth paste that will easily spread upon the skin without dripping.
Apply coffee paste to arms, buttocks, and thighs. Allow the coffee paste to remain on the skin for 10-15 minutes. Rinse away with warm water. Pat skin dry. Apply your favorite Eden’s Kiss all-natural hand & body balm to moisturize as necessary.
With love,Michelle TuckerEden's Kiss All-Natural Skin Care