Oh, what is this you think? Why this is a new series for Fridays that I’m starting, that is inspired by Tom from Parks and Rec. But unlike Tom, this is more than 1 day of the year. I believe that hey it’s okay to indulge yourself a little bit, so this week I’m starting out with a banging coffee scrub recipe.

It’s estimated that around 83% of American adults drink coffee, which is up from 76% the year prior. So we love our coffee. I am one of those people that has coffee every day. It’s my breakfast; 16 oz. of Pike Place by Starbucks, with 1 sugar cube (I have to switch to stevia but I keep forgetting), 3 pumps of Starbucks’ Sugar-Free Vanilla Syrup, and a splash of cashew milk. But that’s beside the point. Coffee is great for us. It contains a boatload of antioxidants and does a lot of other great things for our bodies. It helps with muscle performance and stamina due to the caffeine which stimulates the nervous system so it increases your heart and breathing rate. And when caffeine is consumed with carbs, can aid in replenishing muscle glycogen concentrations faster after exercise.

So coffee is good for your insides, but it’s great for your skin as well. The same caffeine that stimulates muscles when consumed can help in reducing inflammation and puffiness when applied to the skin. It also combats the free radicals that our environment is chock full of. The antioxidants in coffee protect the skin from those free radicals and this helps combat premature aging. Caffeine, along with helping reduce inflammation, protects your skin from UV carcinogens, so your skin will have less UV ray damage. That also will help it stay preserved longer, so say goodbye to premature wrinkles! And since we are scrubbing our skin with this, it will help with blood circulation and that gives a killer glow.

Another thing that is killer for your skin (in a totally rad kind of way) is coconut oil. Coconut oil is the MVP of everything; it can be used for cooking, hair, and skin. It protects against bug bites, but if you happen to already have some then it’s okay because it helps heal them. It also helps heal sunburn, which is great for ya girl because I’m pale (you can see in my about me, you should read it I’m pretty gnarly) so I get a little burnt here and there. But it is full of things that are great for you. Like coconuts, I mean duh it comes from coconuts, coconut oil has so many proteins that help keep your skin healthy and revitalized. It also contains a boatload of vitamin-E which is crucial for the healthy growth of skin, alongside repairing wear and tear. Vitamin-E also keeps skin smooth and protects the skin from cracking. Like the coffee, it helps combat premature aging and wrinkling with all the antioxidants. Hey, you want to know what else coconut oil has that’s gnarly for your skin? It has saturated fats that are medium chain fatty acids, triglycerides, which also keep skin soft. But because of these fats, they help you retain moisture in your skin and this helps eliminate moisture loss from your skin. Other fatty acids that coconut oil contains are the Capric, Caprylic, Lauric acids. These acids have disinfectant and antimicrobial properties. So that’s pretty groovy.

You’re probably wondering ‘Jane why are you telling me all this?’ Well the reason is, is I’m giving you guys a secret on how I keep my skin soft and glowing and healthy. The secret is my coffee scrub, which honestly smells and makes you smell just like a vanilla latte and it’s amazing. It’s a crazy easy recipe with ingredients you probably already have in your house.

Here are the things you will need:

– Food scale, set to grams

– 40 grams coconut oil

– 30 grams ground coffee

– 25 grams light brown sugar

– 2 grams vanilla extract

– Airtight container (I would have used a mason jar but mine are all too big)

I suggest in getting your coconut oil in the container first, so that way you can microwave it so it’s easier to mix. Next, I added my coffee, then my light brown sugar, finally the vanilla extract. I actually made it too dry at first so I added more coconut oil, for the total of 40 grams. And if the mixture that I use is too abrasive for your skin, just add more coconut oil. This smells honestly like Starbucks and like a vanilla latte and I’m obsessed with the smell of this. But if you want to add additional essential oils, go for it. A friend that I gave this recipe to adds lavender oil so it has a lavender vanilla scent that aids in relaxation.

With much love,

PbandJaney