Decadent cream of coconut and coffee bean powder facial mask cum scrub

Hmmm...Yummy...I am tempted to eat what I have put on my face! As I write this, my face is enjoying the luxury of my newly discovered skin food - cream of coconut and coffee bean powder facial mask with a hint of pure Tasmanian cinnamon honey. Seriously I am in a bliss world. 

Coffee, coconut and cinnamon are my favorites and I thought - "why not use these lovely 3Cs to make a facial mask". And it works in both ways - Facial mask cum scrub! The aroma of the 3Cs combined together with honey is so inviting that I almost took a dollop on a spoon and tasted it and it was so bitterly good (coffee bean powder has a bitter taste). Some of you who are not a coffee fan, a good substitute for coffee is raw cacao powder (there will be a new DIY skin care recipe with raw cacao powder once I settle back in Melbourne!)

Store your facial mask in the fridge and use it within a week since it does not contain any preservative. It is quick and easy to make this facial mask in small batches.

This facial mask is suitable for normal, oily and dry skin. If you have a sensitive skin, don’t add cinnamon powder and use finely powdered oats instead of coffee powder as oats is less abrasive in nature.

Main Ingredients used in this recipe:

Coconut cream

 I extracted the coconut cream from the scrapings of the fresh coconut meat. Scrape the coconut with the help of a coconut scraper and blend the desiccated coconut in a blender with 2 tablespoons of warm water and blend it for few seconds. Squeeze the milk by pressing the blended coconut mixture in-between your hands.  I extracted one small cup of coconut milk from it. Put the freshly extracted coconut milk in your refrigerator’s freezer compartment for 15-25 minutes until you see a thick layer on the top of the coconut milk. Skim off the top thick layer which is the coconut cream. If fresh coconut is not available, you can use frozen fresh desiccated coconut to extract the milk. Thaw the frozen coconut before you blend it.

Benefits of coconut milk/coconut cream for your skin:

Coconut milk/ coconut cream is rich in lauric acid (exactly the same as that in human breast milk, which helps us ward off intrusive viruses and bacteria) and rich in medium chain fatty acids (Medium-chain breaks down easily and converts to energy (like carbohydrate) instantly). Coconut cream absorbs excess oil on the face, and makes the skin more brilliant. Coconut cream can be used to moisturize the skin. Natural moisturizer contained in it will make your skin soft. Besides it helps your skin to attain its natural elasticity. Coconut milk/ cream when used regularly on your skin will lighten your skin tone naturally.

 Coffee bean powder

Who doesn't love the aroma of freshly grounded coffee? For my facial mask, I used freshly ground coffee powder. There are numerous benefits of using coffee bean powder for your skin. It fights cellulite, acts as a good exfoliant, fights against signs of aging . 

Please read on the benefits of coffee bean powder here - http://www.livestrong.com/article/257722-what-are-the-benefits-of-coffee-scrub/. Coffee bean powder is abrasive so may not be suitable for sensitive skin. Because of its abrasive nature, it can be used as a scrub too.

Cinnamon powder

I love the aroma and the beneficial skin qualities of cinnamon powder. It is so addictive and energizing. I used a good brand of Tasmanian cinnamon infused honey. You can also add a pinch of cinnamon powder to plain honey and mix it well with other ingredients.

Benefits of cinnamon powder for your skin:

Cinnamon provides warmth to your skin. Cinnamon--in both grated and essential oil forms--is beneficial to the skin because it brings blood and nutrients to the skin surface. It's best to avoid the eye area as cinnamon can cause burning if it gets in your eyes. After you have applied the facial mask, you will feel a little tingle for few seconds. Don’t be alarmed. It is the cinnamon king that is stimulating your facial skin and bringing more blood flow to your skin.

Caution: Use not more than ½ teaspoon of cinnamon powder to the recipe as cinnamon powder may irritate sensitive skin.

Recipe for Decadent cream of coconut and coffee bean powder facial mask:

*Coconut cream: 1 tablespoon

*Coffee powder: one to one and a half tablespoon

*Cinnamon powder: ½ teaspoon

*Honey: 2 teaspoon

Note: If your recipe turns runny add a bit more coffee powder. If it runs dry, add a bit more coconut cream.

How to make it:

In a dry bowl, mix all the above ingredients well. Cleanse your face and apply this facial mask. Leave it on for 30 to 35 minutes and wash it off with warm water. Is this not a delicious indulgence for your skin?            

When you can make a facial mask that is easy, aromatic and effective, why then visit a beauty parlor?

Did I miss – This facial mask is delicious too?

Bye for now. With love from PD – Nature’s nurture