Starting the day with a hot cup of coffee is a beloved (and sometimes necessary!) morning ritual for people around the world. But did you know your coffee grounds can be used for a lot more than just java?
Coffee can be used in your morning beauty routine as well! Caffeine has natural skin-tightening effects and acts as an exfoliant, which stimulates blood flow to reduce the appearance of acne, sun spots, fine lines, and more.
Find out more about the magical properties of coffee and how to make your own DIY coffee face mask!
Benefits of Coffee Scrub on Skin
Why is coffee a great ingredient to work into your skincare routine? Check out these amazing benefits of coffee scrub on skin:
Dark circles
With its ability to stimulate blood flow, coffee can reduce dark circles under your eyes and reduce puffiness.
Acne
Both the antioxidants and antibacterial properties in coffee can help unclog pores and reduce inflammation, making coffee an excellent ingredient for fighting stubborn acne.
Younger-looking skin
Caffeine protects skin against UV radiation and slows down photoaging, which makes skin look younger. It can also reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Exfoliation
The coarse texture of coffee grounds make them a great natural exfoliant. By using a DIY coffee scrub to remove dead skin cells, skin can appear more plump, tightened, and bright, reducing the appearance of cellulite.
Sun Protection
Coffee protects skin against harmful UV rays, and it can also be used as an after-sun treatment if you’ve already gotten sunburned. Its antioxidant properties help reduce the redness and discomfort that come from sun damage.
How to Make a DIY Coffee Face Mask
Now that you know all of the wonderful things coffee can do for the skin, let’s take a look at how you can make your own DIY coffee face mask!
While there are many different coffee face mask recipes you can try, here’s a super simple recipe with only three ingredients.
Gather your ingredients:
- ½ cup used coffee grounds
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (this quantity may need to be adjusted as needed — you just need enough to prepare a paste!)
Make your own coffee ground face scrub
- Mix the coffee grounds and cocoa powder in a bowl.
- Add the milk and stir until the texture is paste-like.
- Apply to your face and body, and leave it on for at least 15 minutes.
- Rinse off with warm water.
It really is that easy! You can also experiment with your DIY coffee face mask recipe by adding ingredients like lemon juice, oatmeal, or cinnamon. Take this basic recipe and make it your own!
Other Ways to Reuse Old Coffee Grounds
We are all about reusing and repurposing items that typically would have been thrown in the trash. In addition to making coffee face masks and body scrubs, you can repurpose coffee grounds for:
- Absorbing and neutralizing bad odors
- Repelling insects and pests
- Fertilizing your garden
- Composting
- Removing fleas from pets
- Scrubbing pots and pans
Need a new mug to enjoy your cup of morning joe before reusing the grounds? Check out our adorable bamboo mugs!
Are you a coffee fiend? Check out these posts on the Wholesome blog for more info on your favorite beverage:
