COFFEE AND SKINCARE

Yes–you read that right!

 

Your favourite morning pick-me-up is actually a stellar skincare ingredient. Coffee grounds are naturally soft, which means they are great natural exfoliants and are forgiving to those with sensitive skin. And if you’re a true coffee lover, you’ll agree it smells ah-mazing!

 

So why is coffee used in skin and body care, anyway? Here are a few reasons why:

 

EXFOLIATION

 

As mentioned, the most popular way to use fresh coffee grounds on the skin is as an exfoliator. Wet coffee grounds can be used to gently scrub the skin, sloughing away the dead skin cells over the body that can lead to keratosis pilaris (those dry, bumpy skin patches) and clogged pores.

 

Some people report that coffee exfoliation helps reduce the appearance of cellulite, stretch marks, and scarring––most likely due to the way it smooths the skin, increases cell turnover, and boosts blood flow.

 

Also, because coffee is naturally acidic, applying coffee grounds to the scalp can be a great way to help rebalance its pH levels. Its blood flow boost is even known to help increase the speed of hair growth, similar to regular head massages!

 

EYES

 

Tired (no pun intended) of dealing with puffy eyes? Coffee’s got you covered.

 

Because caffeine naturally dilates the blood vessels, a gentle under-eye coffee scrub may contribute to the reduction of fluid buildup under the eyes (which results in smooth, de-puffed, and awakened eyes).

 

Other compounds in coffee, such as chlorogenic acids (CGAs) may also reduce inflammation around the eyes. Anti-inflammatory effects are attributed to chlorogenic acids–a phenolic acid that has biological properties as an antioxidant. It is found in caffeine, which means it contributes to the reduction of inflammation as well as hyperpigmentation.

 

ACNE TREATMENT

 

Because these marvellous CGAs in coffee have antibacterial properties, the regular use of coffee-based products could help combat the harmful bacteria that cause acne. The gentle exfoliation of coffee grounds can help clear away dead skin cells, unclogging pores and even helping to accelerate the repair of the darkened acne scars.

IN CONCLUSION

 

Of course, there are many DIY recipes on how to make your own coffee masks at home. While coffee itself is safe for topical usage, be sure to always think twice before applying household products to your precious skin. We recommend opting for caffeine-infused products, such as a few of our favorites:

 

PHYSIODERMIE BODY SCULPTING GEL $176.66

 

AQUAFOLIA ANTI-CELLULITE CREAM $182

 

COMFORT ZONE BODY ACTIVE BOOSTER $56

 

SWISS LINE CELL SHOCK EYE ZONE BOOSTER $105

 

COMFORT ZONE SUBLIME SKIN EYE CREAM $94

 

On that note–take care of the skin you are in!

 

Until next time,

 

Your BSE team