Coffee Benefits For Skin: Cellulite, Brightening, Anti-aging, And More

Maybe your like

HealthlineSubscribe

Skin Care

Does Coffee Have Any Benefits for Your Skin?

Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — Written by Kristeen Cherney — Updated on August 7, 2018

Benefits
Coffee face mask
Bottom line

Overview

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.

1. 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.

Keep reading to find out how to make a coffee scrub for cellulite.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Dark circles

Coffee may also help treat stubborn dark circles under the eyes, according to Beverly Hills MD Cosmeceuticals. 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.

8. 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 study 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.

How to make a coffee face mask

There are many different ways to make a coffee face mask at home. The best way is to mix coffee grounds with a noncomedogenic ingredient (meaning it won’t clog your pores). Here’s one recipe to try:

Mix together equal parts olive oil and coffee grounds.
Apply to your face in a circular motion.
Leave the mask on between 15 and 60 minutes.
Rinse off with warm water. Repeat up to three times per week.

The bottom line

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.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Heffernan TP, et al. (2009). ATR–Chk1 Pathway inhibition promotes apoptosis after UV treatment in primary human keratinocytes: Potential basis for the UV protective effects of caffeine. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/jid.2008.435
Fukushima Y, et al.(2015). Skin photoprotection and consumption of coffee and polyphenols inhealthy middle-aged Japanese families. DOI:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25041334
Perez-Jimenez J,et al. (2010). Identification of the 100 richest dietary sources ofpolyphenols: An application of the Phenol-Explorer Database. DOI:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21045839
Roure R, et al. (2011).Evaluation of the efficacy of a topical cosmetic slimming product combiningtetrahydroxypropyl ethylenediamine, caffeine, carnitine, forskolin, andretinol: In vitro, ex vitro, and in vivo studies. DOI:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21564138
Skin Cancer Foundation position:Nicotinamide (a form of vitamin B3) could help prevent skin cancer. (2015).https://www.skincancer.org/media-and-press/press-release-2015/vitaminb3
Vinson JA. (2005). Coffee is number onesource of antioxidants.https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-08/acs-cin081905.php

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — Written by Kristeen Cherney — Updated on August 7, 2018

Health Conditions

Condition Spotlight

Wellness Topics

Product Reviews

Featured Programs

Featured

Lessons

Newsletters

Lifestyle Quizzes

Health News

This Just In

Top Reads

Video Series

Find Your Bezzy Community

Follow us on social media