You might rely on your morning cup of coffee to boost your energy and metabolism on a daily basis. While coffee is most widely used as a beverage, it’s also gaining a reputation as an alternative remedy for the skin.
Does Coffee have any Benefits for you Skin?
You might rely on your morning cup of coffee to boost your energy and metabolism on a daily basis. While coffee is most widely used as a beverage, it’s also gaining a reputation as an alternative remedy for the skin. This is thanks to its antioxidants, which include phenols that help fight free radicals that can lead to skin damage. In fact, the American has found that coffee is the most popular source of antioxidants in the United States — even more so than other antioxidant-rich beverages, such as tea and wine.
While a cup of coffee can provide antioxidants internally, the purported skin benefits from coffee are primarily obtained topically. This involves making a mask, scrub, or paste from fresh coffee grounds and applying them to your skin directly.
Learn more about how coffee can directly benefit your skin, and whether these beans really live up to their hype when it comes to skin health.
Below are eight of the purported benefits that coffee may have for your skin, as well as suggested recipes for using them.
1. Cellulite reduction
Coffee may help reduce the appearance of cellulite on the skin. It’s thought that the caffeine content Trusted Source in coffee is the key to cellulite reduction by dilating blood vessels beneath the skin and improving overall blood flow. In turn, this may help decrease the appearance of cellulite.
This skincare method is thought to best be used via a coffee scrub because the exfoliation can also smooth your skin and provide an even appearance.
2. Calming effects
While coffee is renowned for its stimulating effects inside the body, it may provide the opposite effects when applied topically. This is thanks to the antioxidants in coffee.
3. Anti-aging benefits
Applying coffee directly to your skin may help decrease the appearance of sun spots, redness, and fine lines. In fact, one studyTrusted Source found a direct correlation between drinking coffee and a decrease in photoaging effects.
4. Vitamin B-3 for skin cancer
Coffee is a rich source of vitamin B3 (niacin), thanks to a breakdown of a key compound called trigonelline. However, trigonelline breaks down into niacin after coffee beans have been roasted. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, niacin may be helpful in preventing nonmelanoma skin cancers and can possibly prevent other skin growths.
5. Reduced inflammation
Anti-inflammatory effects may be attributed to chlorogenic acidTrusted Source (CGA) as well as melanoidins in coffee. CGA is also linked to reducing hyperpigmentation that may have a connection with inflammation.
6. Acne treatment
In the case of a wound or frequent skin infections, the regular use of coffee could help combat problems from harmful bacteria. The CGAs in coffee have both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Combined with the natural exfoliation of coffee grounds, all these benefits can collectively fight acne.
7. Dark circles
Coffee may also help treat stubborn dark circles under the eyes, according to Beverly Hills MD Cosmeceuticals. This is because the caffeine content in coffee is thought to help dilate blood vessels that contribute to dark circles.
To use coffee for dark undereye circles:
- Combine ½ tsp each of coffee grounds and olive oil. Add in a couple drops of water to make a small paste in your hand.
- Gently pat underneath your eyes without rubbing.
- Leave the mixture on for five to ten minutes.
- Rinse off with water or gently wipe the mask with a soft cloth. Repeat as often as needed.
8. After-sun care
The same anti-aging benefits from coffee can also be used for post-sun care. The key here is to make a soothing treatment that your sunburned skin will appreciate — not a mask or a scrub as you would for other skin ailments.
To make a coffee-based skin treatment for a sunburn:
- Brew a fresh cup of coffee. Then, dilute it with cold water.
- Place a soft cloth or a study paper towel in the water and wring out any excess.
- Gently dab the cloth on the affected areas of skin.
- Repeat several times a day until redness and swelling start to subside.
Get the Best Coffee for Face Masks
How to Make a Coffee Face Mask at Home
There are many different ways to make a coffee face mask at home. The best way is to mix coffee grounds with a noncomedogenic ingredient (meaning it won’t clog your pores). Following are few ways you can prepare coffee mask:
Coffee with oil (Coconut oil / olive oil):
- Mix together equal parts olive oil and coffee grounds.
- Apply to your face in a circular motion.
- Leave the mask on between 15 and 60 minutes.
- Rinse off with warm water. Repeat up to three times per week.
Coffee and Yogurt Mask:
- Mix yogurt and coffee until blended.
- Apply to face and massage with hands for 2-3 minutes. Leave on for 15 minutes.
- Rinse face with warm water and pat dry with a towel.
- Coffee powder-1 tablespoon
- Raw milk-1 ½ tablespoons
- Honey
- Mix the coffee powder , Honey and raw milk in a bowl.
- Apply the face pack on your cleansed face and neck.
- After letting it sit on your face for 10-15 minutes, wash it off with cold water.
Note: This can be done twice a week.
Coffee Face Pack for Skin Whitening
The vitamin C in turmeric removes dullness from skin and lightens dark spots while the Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) found in yogurt reduce acne and nourish skin.
You will need:
- Coffee powder-1 tablespoon
- Tumeric-1 tablespoon
- Yogurt-1 tablespoon
How to make and use this coffee face pack for fairness:
- Mix the coffee powder, turmeric and yogurt.
- Stir well to make it lump-free.
- Apply it on your cleansed face and neck (downward motion).
- Leave it on for 20 minutes to let it dry.
- Wash it with normal water.
Note: This can be done twice a week.
Coffee Face Pack for Pimples
As it contains antibacterial and anti-microbial properties, cinnamon is heaven-sent for people with acne-prone skin. Coconut oil helps in removing impurities and coffee removes the dead skin cells that cause acne.
You will need:
- Coffee powder-1 tablespoon
- Coconut oil-1/2 tablespoon
- Cinnamon powder-1/4 teaspoon
How to make and use this face mask:
- Mix the coffee powder, cinnamon powder and coconut oil to make a smooth paste.
- Apply it on your cleansed face.
- Rinse it off with regular water after 20 minutes.
- Apply moisturizer to soften the skin.
Note: This can be done once a week.
Coffee Face Pack for Tan Removal
Vitamin C found in lemon and the caffeine helps in removing tan and lightening up the skin.
You will need:
- Coffee powder-1 tablespoon
- Lemon juice -1 tablespoon
How to make and use this coffee face pack:
- Mix the coffee powder and lemon juice in a bowl.
- Stir well until the paste is lump-free.
- Apply it on your cleansed face and neck.
- Rinse it off with cold water after 15 minutes.
This can be done twice a week.
Coffee Face Pack for Pimples
The zinc present in gram flour helps in fighting pimples. Aloe vera is a natural antibacterial substance that helps in removing acne-causing bacteria.
You will need:
- Coffee powder-3 teaspoons
- Gram flour -1 teaspoon
- Honey- 3 teaspoons
- Essential oil
- Aloe vera gel-2 teaspoons
How to make and use this coffee face pack:
- Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.
- Apply the face pack on your cleansed face.
- Leave it on for 15 minutes.
- Rinse it off with lukewarm water.
This can be done daily.
Coffee Face Mask To Tighten Skin
Apart from various coffee face mask benefits, coffee has anti-aging properties that help in making the skin firm. This makes your skin look younger too.
You will need:
- Coffee powder-1 tablespoon
- Honey- 1 tablespoon
- Yogurt- 1 tablespoon
How to make and use this coffee and honey face pack:
- Mix coffee powder, honey and yogurt together in a bowl.
- Apply the face mask on your cleansed face.
- Leave it on for 20 minutes.
- Gently massage your face for 2-3 minutes while you rinse it off with normal water.
This can be done twice or thrice a week.
Coffee Face Pack for Dark Spots
Coffee is an excellent exfoliator and helps in removing dead cells and in reducing dark circles. The sulfur present in cocoa helps in fighting acne.
You will need:
- Coffee powder-1/2 cup
- Cocoa powder-1/2 cup
- Whole milk – 1 cup
- Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon
- Honey-1 tablespoon
How to make and use this face mask:
- Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.
- Stir until you get a smooth paste.
- Apply it on your cleansed face.
- After 20 minutes, wash it off with regular water.
This can be done once a week.
Coffee is a multipurpose product that can potentially offer a variety of skincare benefits. Still, it’s a good idea to follow up with your dermatologist if you’re not seeing the desired results after several weeks of treatment.
Be sure to give any new skin treatment at least a few weeks before moving on to another treatment, whether it’s coffee-based or not.
Last Words on Recipes for Homemade Coffee Face Pack and Masks
Before you apply the above-mentioned face masks or packs on your skin, make sure that you are not allergic to coffee or any of the other ingredients. Some of the symptoms include rashes or redness on the skin as well as itchiness.
