Espresso Detox Bath

If you liked my Exfoliating Caffe Latte Face & Body Mask and Wake Up Glowing With This $3 Detox Ritual posts, you're going to love this simple Instructable for how to draw a detoxifying, energizing espresso bath. Your skin will benefit from the residual caffeine and antioxidants in the espresso grounds, and you can also use the grounds to physically exfoliate your skin. The Epsom salts will provide a boost of magnesium, and if you choose to add Blackstrap molasses (which I always do, since I love the health benefits) then you'll also gain magnesium, iron, calcium, and the mild exfoliating properties of the glycolic acid from the sugar.

You'll need:

• 4 c espresso grounds
• 4 c Epsom salts
• Optional: 1 c Blackstrap molasses

Why Espresso?

I initially tried a coarse French press grind -- as a physical exfoliant, that was way too rough, even for my feet. Espresso is fine enough for my face and body. One thing about espresso is it's a darker roast, meaning it has lower caffeine content than a lighter roast, which could work in your favor if you prefer to bathe at night. If you want more of the blood-vessel-constricting, cellulite-blasting effects, try a lighter roast and just get it finely ground. I'm sensitive to caffeine, so I only take espresso baths in the morning. Yes, your skin absorbs caffeine into your blood stream, so keep that in mind when deciding when to take your espresso bath!

Coffee: Friend or Foe?

Organic coffee beans are full of anti-oxidants and are anti-inflammatory -- and skin aging is the result of inflammation. It also temporarily dehydrates fat cells and improves blood circulation, reducing the appearance of cellulite when applied to your -- wherever you have cellulite. :)

If you stick to the good stuff, coffee is great for you. Like most foods, the quality of the coffee you're consuming is important. Look for organic, fair-trade coffee. Avoid pesticides and chemicals in your coffee as much as possible. This is possibly even more important when selecting coffee that is going on your skin. When you eat or drink something, whatever doesn't serve as fuel for your body gets filtered through your internal organs. When you apply something to your skin, the toxic crap does not get filtered, and if the molecules are small enough, they will absorb straight into your body through your skin. So don't put pesticides and preservatives on your skin. Common sense.

You've probably already heard of or personally experienced the healing properties of soaking in Epsom salt, which is actually pure magnesium sulfate - most commonly used for relieving muscular aches and pains. One symptom of magnesium deficiency is cramping and muscle tension - I became committed to elevating my magnesium levels when I learned that magnesium deficiency is largely responsible for PMS symptoms.

Guess what else has high levels of magnesium (as well as iron and calcium)? Yep, Blackstrap molasses. Blackstrap molasses is amazing because it actually contains all the plant nutrition that gets stripped from the sugar cane during refined sugar production. Now that I take a daily multivitamin with magnesium, at least one Epsom salt bath a week, and drink coffee with Blackstrap molasses daily (as well as a maintaining a generally balanced diet and regular exercise regimen), I literally do not have PMS symptoms anymore!

You'll also receive mild exfoliation benefits from the molasses. The acid in cane sugar is called glycolic acid, an ingredient used in isolation in cosmetic products for its exfoliating properties.

• Draw a tub full of the hottest water possible.
• Add espresso, Epsom salts, and molasses if you're using that.
• Let the water cool to whatever bathing temperature is comfortable for you.
• Soak and enjoy!

You'll want to shower and wash your tub out afterward. It shouldn't stain the tub, but you might see espresso ground residue.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to follow me on Instagram @KirikoKikuchi or shoot me an email at KirikoKikuchi@gmail.com if you want to nerd out about healthy beauty tips!