Coffee has proven to have wonderful effects on the skin. It contains powerful anti-oxidant agents, protecting the skin against free radicals and reducing the risk of skin cancer. Coffee tightens pores and removes dead skin cells, making the skin looking younger. It also displays anti-wrinkle properties. Because of all these benefits, coffee has become a common ingredient of numerous luxury beauty products and spa therapies, especially anti-ageing and anti-cellulite ones.
Many of coffee drinkers do not realise that used coffee grounds contain the same anti-oxidant and other beneficial compounds that are used in the luxury skincare products. Used coffee grounds and are just too good to be wasted! They cost nothing and can improve your skin appearance just after a single use!
However, the level of anti-oxidants in used coffee grounds depends on the way coffee is brewed. The best coffee grounds are those collected at the bottom of the cup, but those left in a coffee-making machine can also do the job. Accordingly to scientists from the University of Navarra in Spain, plunger, filter and espresso coffeemakers left the highest levels of anti-oxidants in coffee grounds, while mocha-style coffee makers − the lowest.
Coffee grounds can be used for face and body peeling and for hair treatment. Just chose your favourite recipe and enjoy your ‘new’ healthy looking skin and shiny hair!
Coffee Grounds Face Peelings
Below, there are few very simple recipes for coffee face peeling. Remember – for face applications, use only finely grinded coffee grounds. Some people find grinded coffee too rough, and prefer to use it on hands and body only.
‘Economic’
The simplest recipe for coffee peeling mask contains just one ingredient – used coffee grounds. The first part of the job is simple: brew a coffee and drink it. Then remove the excess of the liquid from the grounds. Spread the leftover all around your face avoiding the area of eyes.Coffee grounds should be slightly warm when applied on the skin. Keep spreading the mixture for a couple of minutes, as this action removes dead skin cells and make the skin look softer. Do not press too hard. Rinse your face with warm water.
Below there are few more recipes, but it is a good idea to start first with the grounds only, so you can see for yourself how wonderful coffee is on the skin just after one use!
‘De lux’
Prepare coffee grounds as above then mix them with an egg’s white. Massage softly into the skin and let the mixture to dry. Wash your face with warm water. Effects guaranteed!
‘De lux plus’
Mix 1 spoon of coffee grounds with one quarter of brown sugar. Add six coarsely grinded hazelnuts to the mixture. Mix two teaspoons of almond oil, jojoba oil, olive oil and few drops of orange extract. Combine all the ingredients and apply on face, avoiding the area of eyes and neck. Keep the mixture on for a couple of minutes then rinse with warm water and a soft soap.
Coffee Grounds Body Scrubs
Just chose your favourite body scrub recipe.
Coffee Plus Olive Oil
This is the simplest, but effective combination. Just mix coffee grounds with 2-3 spoons of olive oil. Apply on the skin, particularly on the cellulite-affected areas. Massage the skin gently for a couple of minutes than rinse it with warm water.
Coffee Plus Sea Salt Plus Natural Oils
Combine two cups of coffee grounds with half a cup of sea salt of ordinary sugar. Add 3 spoons of natural oils to the mixture – these could be sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, etc. You may also like to add a couple of drops of vanilla or almond extract to add some scent and make the treatment more enjoyable. Massage the mixture into the skin then wash it out with warm water and a delicate soap.
Coffee Plus Salt Plus Yoghurt
Mix 2 cups of coffee grounds with half a cup of coarse salt (or sugar) and with 3 teaspoons of yoghurt. Mix all the ingredients to create a thick mass. Take a hot shower to open your skin pores then apply the mixture on your skin, avoiding face and neck. After a couple of minutes rinse it out with warm water and a delicate soap.
Coffee Plus Carrot Plus Clay
Grate 2-3 carrots and mix them with 2 cups of coffee grounds. Add 3 spoons of clay - e.g. green (Montmorillonite) clay or red (illite) clay and 1 teaspoon of water. Mix all the ingredients. You may also add few drops of vanilla, orange, chocolate, or lemon extract to add some scent. Massage the mixture into the skin, avoiding face and neck. Wash it out using warm water and a delicate soap.
Coffee Hair Shine
If you are a brunette, then you can use coffee to add softness and shine to your hair. For this treatment, freshly brewed coffee should be used rather than grounds. Prepare some strong coffee with little water and let it cool. Using fingers apply the mixture on your hair and scalp, and then wrap your hair with a towel or a plastic cap. After 20 minutes, wash it out with warm water.
If you are afraid of the mess...
Coffee grounds’ treatments can improve the condition and appearance of the skin and hair at no cost. However, there is one inconvenience – they create loads of mess to clean up. If this problem is putting you off, you may consider using hand-made beauty products based on coffee, such as hand-made coffee soaps. They are much cheaper than luxury brands but are equally good if not better.
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