5 Ways Coffee Benefits Your Skin (Includes Scrub and Mask Recipes)

It surprises me how versatile coffee can be. Not only is it a superior tasting beverage - it also has health benefits to boot. I must admit I wasn't to aware of the skin benefits until I did a bit of research. Below are my top 5 seven skin benefits of Coffee:

1. Coffee Reduces Inflammation & is Packed with Antioxidants - Caffeine, plus polyphenols and hydrocinnamic acids means it packs a serious anti-inflammatory effect (see this study). This helps soothe red and inflamed breakouts on your skin. The polyphenols in coffee are strong antioxidants. In fact in most western countries - coffee is the number one source of antioxidants in people's diets. Even in wine loving Spain - coffee ranks highest amongst beverages consumed in terms of antioxidant exposure. The polyphenols in coffee work to fight free radicals and can help slow down the process of aging due to DNA damage. When applied to the skin coffee has also been shown to help protect against UV radiation and slow down aging of the skin caused by heavy sun exposure (see this study). Lastly the antioxidants in coffee can also revive dull, tired skin by transporting needed nutrients into the skin pores. Alongside its ability to increase circulation (thanks to its caffeine content), topical coffee has the ability to quickly brighten your complexion when used as a mask or scrub.
2. Coffee Gently Exfoliates the Skin - Finely-ground coffee makes an excellent skin exfoliator helping to slough away dead skin cells. Although research is limited, has been said to help stimulate lymph drainage and increase blood flow. Both of these benefits help you to achieve glowing skin whilst removing toxins.
3. Coffee (Scrubs) May Help to Reduce Cellulite - The caffeine contained in coffee may be one of the best contenders in the topical fight against cellulite (think a coffee scrub). Caffeine can increase circulation (helps smooth the appearance of cellulite), and can help to break down fat cells (lypolytic effect). This study said: “..Emulsion with caffeine caused a reduction of 17% on the diameter of the fatty cells compared with the control … and emulsion … was considered to promote the lipolytic action on fatty tissue, acting as a complement to treat cellulite..." Excess fat beneath the skin layer tends to protrude in an uneven manner (which is what leads to cellulite’s rumpled appearance). The less protruding fat tissue you have, the less chance for cellulite appearance (see this study). Please Note - caffeine can actually enter your body through the skin, so if you have a sensitivity or high blood pressure, you might want to use a coffee scrub sparingly and check with your doctor!
4. Coffee May Help to Reduce Skin Puffiness - Not only will a cup of coffee heighten your spirits, it can also help reduce skin puffiness when applied topically. Caffeine and various compounds within coffee like methylxanthine have a diuretic effect. This can aid in reducing swollen tissues due to excess fluid retention (termed edema). See this study for more information.
5. Coffee May Minimize Dark Circles Under the Eyes - Studies have shown that topical applications of caffeine “increase the microcirculation of blood in the skin,” effectively pushing along stagnant blood from dark, tired eyes. If you’re going to apply coffee as an eye-opener, you may want to do it in the morning, as caffeine can be absorbed into circulation through the skin. If done too late in the day it can possibly affect your sleep at night.

Here are 3 recipes for Coffee Scrubs and Masks for you to try:

Coconut Coffee Mask

Coffee Mask to Reduce Puffiness