Are you a true connoisseur of coffee? Then you must also be a filter-coffee lover. The off-the-shelf instant variety is not for you, right? You love to grind the beans just so, brew it and enjoy that cup of hot coffee, right? Well, this is not an article about coffee – well, not exactly.

What we’re trying to say is, if you brew your own pot of coffee, chances are you’d be left with lots of coffee grounds. And that’s what this one is all about.

So, did you know that apart from giving you that perfect cuppa, coffee grounds can also help you look stunning, give your skin a glow and help reduce cellulite? No? Read on, then…

Coffee grounds can make for excellent body scrubs. They can elevate a simple shower to a spa status. Coffee beans’ antioxidant benefits also work for the skin. Which is why when applied on the skin, coffee stimulates blood flow, giving your skin a glow. It can help reduce inflammation, reduce swelling at the ankles and other joints and tighten skin.

This apart, scrubbing your skin with coffee grounds works as a natural exfoliator, making the skin appear smooth and supple. Plus, the antifungal and antibacterial properties of caffeine helps keep the skin infection free as well as heal wounds faster.

Need more reasons to replace that bath gel with coffee grounds? Here’s a simple way to make a great coffee body scrub…

Take two spoonsful of brewed coffee ground (this means you’d have already had an awesome cup of coffee). Add one tablespoon of ground cinnamon to it. Sprinkle some granulated sugar over this and mix well. Now, add coconut oil to mix the lot and make a firm mix that holds well. Transfer to a jar, and leave it for a half-hour.

While in the shower – wet your body with water. Now use the coffee scrub all over, rubbing it in with very gentle (this is important so as to not irritate the skin), circular movements. Pay attention to cellulite heavy areas like arms and thighs. Once you’re done with the scrubbing wait for about three minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water. The leftover coconut oil acts as a moisturiser – you don’t need to apply anything extra.

Do this twice a week and watch your skin turn lovely and young.

TNN/timesofindia.indiatimes.com