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 Chemical Society 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.
How coffee can benefit your skin
Below are eight of the purported benefits that coffee may have for your skin, as well as suggested recipes for using them.
- Cellulite reduction
Coffee may help reduce the appearance of cellulite on the skin. It’s thought that the caffeine content 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.
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- 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.
- Anti-aging benefits
Applying coffee directly to your skin may help decrease the appearance of sun spots, redness, and fine lines. In fact, one study found a direct correlation between drinking coffee and a decrease in photoaging effects.
- 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.
- Reduced inflammation
Anti-inflammatory effects may be attributed to chlorogenic acid (CGA) as well as melanoidins in coffee. CGA is also linked to reducing hyperpigmentation that may have a connection with inflammation.
- 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.
- Dark circles
Coffee may also help treat stubborn dark circles under the eyes. 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.
- 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 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.
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.
