DIY Coffee Massage Bar Against Cellulite

With spring just around the corner, are you in the mood for a natural and energizing DIY coffee massage bar against cellulite?

I’ve created this recipe with exquisite moisturizing mango and cocoa butters, coffee beans and uplifting essential oils such as grapefruit that will melt straight into your skin, leaving you feeling alert, rejuvenated and stress-free. The coffee beans will help to massage your skin gently and get your lymphatic system moving. The combined scent of coffee and grapefruit essential oil has an acidic and citrusy smell that will leave you wanting for more, quite addicting!

I got inspired from LUSH percup massage bar but wanted a 100% natural alternative since it contains nasty perfume (or also called fragrance) as an ingredient. Just make sure that you stay away from on-the-shelf products because synthetic ingredients cause more harm than good. A much better alternative is to create your own massage bar that is free from any chemicals or synthetic additives.

The best part about this is that you will be saving a ton of money by not giving into the marketing tactics used by popular brands.

Why I Do Not Endorse LUSH?

Even though Lush advocates eco-friendly practices and claim not to test their final products on animals, I do not endorse it for the following reasons:

• It uses artificial dyes from petroleum, which are easily absorbed into the skin.
• The dyes may be contaminated with carcinogens (cancer-causing agents).
• Most of their products include artificial and synthetic fragrance/perfume.

 

What Exactly is a Fragrance?

Cosmetic companies do not mention how toxic some of these fragrant ingredients can be. Even the fragrances that LUSH uses are listed as an ingredient in their product range, which should hint you that there may be side effects.

• PEG-100 Stearate– Although in very small amounts it considered being non-toxic, you never know the exact amount an off-the-shelf product contains. It can also be contaminated with other high risks ingredients such as ethylene Oxyde and dioxane. Best to stay clear of it!
• Propylene Glycol – FDA ranks it higher on the toxic list. It is a skin irritant, you can read more here.

Ingredients DIY Coffee Massage Bar

• Whole Coffee Beans

Coffee beans belong to the coffee plant and are referred to as “Cherry”. The beans are native to tropical Africa, with its main origin in Sudan and Ethiopia, extending to Madagascar, Mauritius, the Indian Ocean and the Comoros.

Skin Benefits: Cellulite reduction, anti-aging effects, supplies Vitamin B-3 that protects from skin cancers, treats acne, reduces inflammation, treats dark circles and serves as after-sun care.

 

• Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter is extracted from the vegetable fat of cocoa bean. It is native to the Amazon Basin and was first domesticated by the Mocayas and Olmecs.

Skin Benefits: prevents skin dryness, treats cracked skin, anti-aging effects, heals chapped lips, soothes burns and rashes, clears acne and reduces scars.

 

• Mango Butter

Mango butter is derived from the seed of the mango and therefore, it doesn’t have that sweet mango fragrance. The tropical fruit tree Mangifera is native to South Asia.

Skin Benefits: Fights off wrinkles and fine lines, treats dry skin, heals scars, clears blemishes, delays wrinkles and treats eczema.

 

• Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is extracted from the coconut shell and pulp. It is native to the islands in Southeast Asia.

Skin Benefits: Hydrates the skin, soothes eczema, relieves psoriasis, treats acne and heals wounds.

• Essential Oil Juniper Berry

Obtained from Gin, the essential oil belongs to the Juniper Berry and was developed in the 17th century in Netherlands.

Benefits Against Cellulite: The detoxifying effects of the Juniper Berry essential oil helps reduce fluid retention. It boosts the growth of slow tissues that improve the skin texture.

 

• Essential Oil Grapefruit

Known as the Shattuck in the 19^th century, grapefruit comes from the island of Barbados.

Benefits Against Cellulite: The anti-inflammatory Bromelain in grapefruit essential oil breaks down cellulite, which prevents skin sagging.

 

• Essential Oil Geranium

Derived from the perennial shrub called Pelargoniums, the plant of Geranium is native to South Africa. The use of this oil dates back to ancient Egyptians.

Benefits against Cellulite: Helps balance our hormones, which prevents lumping and curdling of the skin. The Catecholamine hormone secreted in the body is stabilized by this essential oil, which prevents sagging from physical activity or exercise.

What Is Cellulite?

Cellulite is a skin condition, which causes a dimpled and lumpy appearance on the skin’s surface. It resembles the texture of an “orange peel” and consists of a combination of fibrous bands and fat cells bunched underneath the skin.

How to Get Rid of Cellulite?

• Massage

A promising remedy that takes care of cellulite is an effective massage. By using essential oils and massage creams, the skin area that has cellulite can be massaged, which will improve the lymphatic drainage. This will stretch the skin tissues and the cellulite dimples too.

 

• Healthy Diet

Another way to get rid of cellulite is to lose weight with help of a balanced diet. The combination of wholefoods, fresh fruits and veggies for ultimate body nourishment and exercise will help tighten the skin and even reduce the appearance of cellulite.

 

• Dry Skin Brush

Last but not least, a dry skin brush will give the cellulite the final push. The brush’s firm bristles exfoliate the skin through pressure and stimulate circulation. This boosts lymphatic drainage and eliminates toxins.