There is a chance that you rely on a daily cup of coffee each morning to boost your metabolism and energy. Despite the fact that coffee is most typically used as a beverage, it has developed a reputation as a skincare alternative.

This is largely due to antioxidants which offer phenols to aid the body in fighting free radicals, which result in skin damage.

The American Chemical Society has discovered that coffee is one of the most popular antioxidant sources in the United States, surpassing that of other common beverages like wine and tea.

Although cups of coffee provide internal antioxidants, benefits to the skin are mainly achieved topically.

Examples of topical applications include making masks, paste, or scrubs from fresh grounds of coffee, then applying them directly to the skin.

Read this article to understand more about coffee benefits for skin and whether or not the coffee grounds truly live up to the hype when it comes to health for blood vessels.

Benefits of coffee for the skin

There are innumerable benefits of coffee for the skin. Here are some examples in addition to recipes that may help you use them.

1. Reduction of cellulite

Coffee has the potential to reduce the concentration of cellulite, which are fat cells that press the skin, pulling the connective cords down and creating an uneven surface.

Researchers believe that the caffeine content present in coffee is the key to reducing cellulite. This is because caffeine improves blood flow overall by dilating blood vessels underneath your skin.

Consequently, cellulite becomes less visible.

2. Calming

Although coffee is primarily labeled as a stimulant, it is capable of providing the opposite effects with a topical cosmetic slimming product, primarily due to the antioxidants.

3. Anti-aging

By applying coffee to your skin, you're likely to lower the appearance of fine lines, sun spots, and redness.

As a matter of fact, there was a study that analyzed a correlation between decreased photoaging and drinking coffee.

4. Combat skin cancer

Coffee is rich in niacin, also known as vitamin B3, thanks to the breakdown of trigonelline, a key compound.

This dissolves into niacin once the coffee beans are roasted. In accordance with the Skin Cancer Foundation, vitamin B3 helps to prevent skin cancer, known as nonmelanoma, and can likely halt other skin growths as well.

5. Lower inflammation

Coffee offers anti-inflammatory properties in the form of melanoidins and chlorogenic acid (CGA). This is linked to the reduction of hyperpigmentation that connects with inflammation.

6. Treating acne

In the case of frequent infections or skin wounds, regular consumption of coffee helps deal with problems stemming from harmful bacteria.

Furthermore, the CGAs offer both anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

When you combine these with the natural exfoliating effects of coffee grounds, you can easily fight acne.

7. Dark circles

Coffee is also able to treat stubborn dark circles beneath the eyes, as the caffeine content helps dilate blood vessels contributing to the circles. In order to use coffee for this specific purpose: 

• Combine half a teaspoon of olive oil and coffee grounds, then include several drops of water to create a paste.

• Pat the paste gently below the eyes (do not rub)

• Allow five to ten minutes for the fixture to stay on

• Rinse with water, then gently wipe your mask with a cloth, repeating as often as necessary until dark circles disappear

8. Sun

Similar benefits from anti-aging and blood circulation can be utilized during post-sun care.

The key is to create a soothing treatment for sunburns outside of relying on a scrub or mask that would normally work for other types of ailments and achieve glowing skin.

To create a sunburn skin treatment using coffee:

• Brew a fresh cup of ground coffee, then dilute it with cold water. 

• Place a paper towel or soft cloth in the water, wringing out excess

• Gently dab this cloth on the affected regions of the skin

• Repeat several times each day until swelling or redness starts to subside

Ground coffee offers protection from ultraviolet radiation that emanates from the Sun.

This is because research has proven that the oils selectively filter light between 280 to 320 nanometers of wavelength, letting the skin tan while being shielded from erythema.

9. Healing wounds

Fortunately, fresh coffee grounds are chock full of linoleic acid, which plays a key role in maintaining the permeable barrier in healthy and energised skin.

Various other components like tocopherols and phenolic compounds provide antioxidants that are able to modulate processes like wound healing, inflammation, and homeostasis.

10. Hair growth

The anti-inflammatory properties of coffee allow the stimulation of hair growth as they can soothe inflammation of follicles on your skin.

This is one of the primary causes of premature hair loss.

By implementing coffee into your hair care routine, coffee leaves things voluminous and shiny.

11. Anti-depressant

Certain studies have shown that one of the benefits of coffee includes the ability proactively stop depression, which can have a significant impact on your skin.

These effects stem from the ability to increase the amount of dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain, which serves to counteract symptoms of depression like low mood and low concentration.

Another reason why coffee may help combat depression is due to the acids which reduce nerve cell inflammation.

12. Feet

Coffee is quite effective in cleansing your feet and softening and smoothing the lower regions of your body.

These grounds are capable of scraping away dead skin cells, and the stimulating caffeine effects will improve blood circulation and flow.

To create a bath for your feet:

• Brew several cups of coffee

• Add the used grounds and liquid mix to a small tub

• Let the coffee cool down to not burn the skin

• Soak your feet in the coffee, using the grounds to scrub away the dead cells

How to create a coffee face mask

There is a multitude of options for creating a DIY coffee face mask.

In particular, one of the better ways is to mix non-comedogenic ingredients with the grounds (to avoid clogging pores).

Below is one of the best recipes to try:

• Mix together coffee grounds with an equal portion of olive oil

• Apply to the face in circles

• Leave your mask on for up to 30 minutes

• Rinse with warm water. Repeat the process three times each week

Takeaway

Coffee is a product that fulfills many purposes, including a variety of skincare benefits. Still, it's good to follow up with a professional dermatologist if you do not see the desired results after treating yourself for several weeks.

Ensure that you give your new skin treatments this amount of time to view improvements before moving on to something else, regardless if it uses coffee or not.