Two things that every exhausted moms wants and/or needs: Coffee and a Facial. So why not blend them into one? Well, I got you mama! A few months ago I discovered this super easy DIY facial and I never went back to my store bought face scrub. It's 3 ingredients and can be done while you are taking a shower. All you need is coffee grinds from your morning brew (cooled), coconut oil, and your fav essential oil.
Were you weirded out by the ingredient of coffee grinds? If you said yes, I felt the same way when I first stumbled upon this mix. It sounded strange and to put yesterdays coffee grinds on my face, just made no sense. But don't get scared away - this mix is legit and has so many health benefits.
Coffee Is High in Antioxidants
My beloved coffee is packed with antioxidants - who knew? Not me! This stuff will help protect your skin from damage with those antioxidants PLUS it helps fight aging - mamas need this support to help slow down all those stress wrinkles from our wild toddlers!
According to VeryWell "some studies have shown that coffee (specifically coffee oil) has similar effects on the skin as the anti-aging skincare ingredient hyaluronic acid. Coffee seed oil can increase collagen and elastin, making the skin look and feel firmer." I had to quote that one, because I had no clue on how to explain that fun fact.
Another benefit that is important to me living in the north is the hydration benefits - it can help reduce the transepidermal water loss, (a fancy way of saying the way moisture evaporates from the skin).
And finally, there is one last benefit that is outside of just that lovely roasted bean. Extracts made from coffee silverskin (a solid by-product of roasting coffee beans) were shown to have antifungal and antimicrobial qualities, plus they are another good source of antioxidants.
Coffee May Protect Skin From the Sun UV Rays
OK, so you probably don't have a supply of coffee silverskin just sitting in your kitchen, I definitely don't. But you probably have coffee grounds leftover from your morning or afternoon pot. For a little extra protection from those UV Rays, spent coffee grounds may also have skincare benefits.
I have found several studies that have shown spent coffee ground extract helps protect the skin against damage from UV-B rays. So, when you use this ingredient in one of your skincare routines , the coffee extract may help protect your skin against wrinkle formation and sun damage.
Oh, and for you all you coffee lovers, drinking coffee may also help protect the skin from the sun - HUGE positive to those 3 cups of coffee I had yesterday. They say that coffee-drinkers are less likely to develop skin cancer, especially melanoma. Now I'm not 100% sure on that melanoma fact, so don't bank on that one - I had melanoma at 21, but then again that was before my true love of coffee developed.
Now please know that I am not advertising putting coffee on your face or drinking coffee to be a substitute for sunscreen. I would never say that because sunscreen is just as important and loving and protecting the skin you are in.
Your Morning (brewed already) Coffee Grounds for Skin Care
If you have a wondering mind like myself, you may ask "Will the coffee grounds leftover from your morning cup of java give you the same results as coffee extract?" The answer is - probably not. Coffee extract (like any extract) is much more potent than what's left behind in your filter. This is kind of a no brainer point.
But those lovely spent grounds you used in your recent pot of coffee can be used in some awesome DIY treatments and can have great benefits for your skin. Use those grounds and incorporate it into handmade scrubs to help exfoliate, smooth, and soften your skin naturally. When winter strikes up north, this is my favorite go-to treatment to help out with dry face, rough elbows, knees and feet.
I think I mentioned this earlier, but it's important to say again - caffeine in coffee grounds can also improve the look of the skin. That lovely dose of caffeine thats naturally in coffee constricts the skin, making it look firmer and tighter (temporary, this isn't a forever fix). The tightening effect can help fight those puffy tired mama eyes and can make cellulite look less obvious in the short-term.
Coffee Scrubs Won't Magically Clear Acne
So everything I have already shared is probably getting you super pumped to try this out, but I want to share another fact about this - coffee scrubs won't magically clear acne. Say what??? I know! Annoying fact. With that amazing smell, naturally energy booster and how it can leave your skin super soft, why can't it include the magic fix of clearing those dam acne spots?
Well the truth is scrubs, even all-natural ones from the cosmetic store, won't clear acne themselves. While scrubs can remove the surface layer of dead skin, they don't actually penetrate the skin's pore which is the home of those dam acne blemishes.
The oil and dirt on the skin's surface isn't the cause of acne. Look a little deeper (not literally look) and it's the blockage inside the pore (technically called the pilosebaceous unit). So when you combine this and the fast growth of acne-causing bacteria and inflammation (yuck), those dam pimples we all know and hate and thought it ended when we became adult starts to appear.
Soooo scrubbing, no matter how often, won't get rid of those other annoying factors from acne. And I hate to say this, but coffee grounds scrub (or any scrub) can be to much and aggressive and can irritate those already flared up breakouts.
The best thing I do for breakouts is to rub a little Tea Tree essential oil on the spot and then once it's cleared up, I'll do a scrub on it, but not hard scrub - just a little something.
DIY Mama Coffee Skin Care Mix
As a mom, you don't have much time for self care, but this DIY mix is easy, fast and fun! Treat yourself one night, the time is nothing and the outcome is everything!
2 minutes to mix up
30 seconds to rub on your face
2-5 minutes to sit on your face (or how every long you want to let it sit)
30 seconds to wash off
Like any skin care thing you do, be careful if you have sensitive skin. Coffee grounds can be fairly harsh on delicate skin, so you may want to skip the DIY coffee ground scrub if your skin is super sensitive.
Oh and just like any scrub, don't go overboard with the intensity of your scrubbing - this is only a face scrub, not a face peal. Scrubbing hard can irritate your skin and that isn't the purpose of the fun relaxing facial! Redness, stinging, and sensitivity are all signs that you're overdoing the scrub.
My fav. Coffee Scrub mix or the other ones listed should be made fresh every time, and discard any leftovers. And of course, make sure your coffee grounds and coconut oil are cooled down first (burning yourself isn't part of the process.)
Exfoliating Facial Mask
1/4 teaspoon spent coffee grounds (finely ground)
1 tablespoon of coconut oil or almond oil
A few drops of your favorite essential oil (I used Lavender + Frankincense)
Gently massage over your face and neck and let sit five minutes. Rinse well with warm water to reveal bright, soft skin. Blot your face with a towel to dry off. Use it no more than once or twice per week.
Coffee and Sugar Body Polish
Mix 1/2 cup granulated sugar (white or brown)
2 tablespoons spent coffee grounds
1/4 cup sweet almond oil
optional ingredients:
1 tsp vanilla extract w/o alcohol
few drops of vitamin E oil
½ small lemon, juice of
or a few drops of your favorite essential oils such as spearmint, lavender, grapefruit, etc (see notes)
In the shower, massage over your entire body. Pay attention to those rough and dry areas like elbows and knees. Rinse well. Doesn't your skin feel silky smooth?
The oils in this recipe can make your shower floor or tub slippery, so please take care.
Exfoliating Foot Scrub
Feet need a little extra TLC and can handle a more aggressive scrubbing than other areas of the body.
1/4 cup each of spent coffee grounds
Dead Sea salt or Epsom salts
Drizzle some olive oil.
Use this as a scrub to give your feet a nice treat.
Lip Smoother
Dry lips? Mix a small amount of spent coffee grounds with a dab coconut oil. Massage the mixture lightly over the lips and remove with a damp washcloth.
Reduce Puffy Eyes
A teaspoon of spent grounds in a dampened paper towel and laid over the eyes for 20 minutes or so will help reduce puffiness.
Do you have a different coffee scrub recipe? Let me know! I am always wanting to try new mixes.