Squeeze out every last drop from your coffee beans by reusing leftover grinds for your skincare! Rather than just throwing out all those usable coffee grinds, why not reuse and repurpose them—in your beauty routine!
That’s right, coffee is actually an incredible ingredient that your skin will drink right up.
It’s chock full of antioxidants that can keep your skin healthy and plump, and its coarse texture makes it a natural exfoliant to scrub away toxins and impurities.
Plus, when you buy coffee from Eldorado, you’re getting healthy and natural coffee out there. You never want to put anything on your body that you wouldn’t ingest. And you’re already ingesting our high-standard coffee, so it’s perfect to put on your skin as well.
Today, we’re giving you 5 ways to DIY skincare using coffee. Once you’ve ground your beans and brewed your cup, save the grinds in a separate container (like a Mason jar) for use later in your DIY scrubs and masks.
Coffee has a wide variety of health benefits on its own, so why not reap them in your skincare routine as well?
1. Coffee Face Scrub
Coffee grinds are a natural exfoliant. They’re coarse enough to slough off dead skin cells, but gentle enough not to damage the healthy skin underneath. Plus, coffee grinds will remove dead skin while adding antioxidant goodness to the fresh skin cells underneath. Your skin will be glowing and gorgeous in just a few minutes!
Here’s the ultimate, easy, healthy coffee face scrub recipe:
- 4 tablespoons of coconut or olive oil
- 6 tablespoons of finely ground coffee
- 2-5 drops of essential oil
You can use any essential oil you prefer. We recommend tea tree oil for a deeper cleanse, lavender oil for nourishment and calming, and rosehip oil for hydration. Citrus essential oil is great for a morning scrub to wake you up and energize your skin for the day.
To use, combine all ingredients. Scoop a dime sized amount onto your fingers and gently rub in a circular motion on your face, avoiding the eye area. Apply light pressure to avoid scrubbing too harshly.
This coffee face scrub recipe creates a good amount of exfoliator. So once you combine the ingredients, you’ll probably want to store it in an airtight container. You can put the mix in the fridge to retain freshness for 2-4 weeks, or you can leave it at room temp for 1-2 weeks.
Note: Don’t use this scrub more than 2x per week. Over exfoliation can lead to microscopic skin tears, dryness, or oiliness.
2. Coffee Face Mask
Similar to the scrub, this coffee face mask will help get rid of dead skin cells for healthy, youthful skin underneath. The mask stays on your face longer, so the coffee extract has more time to permeate the skin and deliver healthful benefits. Coffee especially has a stimulating effect, so it can help awaken your skin for a more vibrant and glowing appearance.
This coffee face mask recipe is about nourishment more than exfoliation. We use honey and yogurt to keep your skin cells plump, since the caffeine in coffee can be drying if left on the skin for too long.
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1 tablespoon of probiotic-rich yogurt (unflavored, unsweetened—Greek preferred)
- 4 tablespoons of finely ground coffee
Combine the ingredients together in a bowl. Using your hands, apply to your face in a circular motion until you have a thin layer sitting on the skin. You may need to use a little bit of warm water if the mixture is too thick. Leave on for 10-15 minutes. Remove with a warm washcloth, moving in gently upward strokes. Your skin will be absolutely radiant!
Tip: Want more moisturizing and healthy effects? Add a tablespoon of aloe vera gel for cooling, calming, and firming effects!
3. Coffee Hair Mask
Coffee is great for hair too! In fact, caffeine’s stimulating effects may actually help enliven hair follicles to make hair grow faster, stronger, and thicker. The exfoliation from the grounds can also help get rid of dead skin cells that might contribute to dandruff or oiliness. This recipe also uses coconut oil to help reduce frizz and add shine, plus yogurt to minimize dandruff and greasy hair.
Does this mask look similar to the face mask? It should! Substitute honey for coconut oil and vice versa, and you can use it on either your face or hair. We believe in simplicity here at Eldorado, from the way you brew your coffee to the way you use coffee to take care of your skin. So make a little extra of the mask for hair and face, and you’re good to go!
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil (extra virgin raw)
- 1 tablespoon probiotic-rich yogurt (unflavored, unsweetened—Greek preferred)
- 1 cup coarse or fine coffee grinds
You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to make your hair smell fragrant and gorgeous all day/night long! Check out other coffee hair masks here.
Important note: You don’t want coffee grinds in your shower pipes. So you might want to put a “catch” over your shower drain if you’re rinsing your mask in the shower. A recycled coffee filter or mesh bag can work well to keep the grounds out of your plumbing. The same is true for your sink if you’re washing a scrub or face mask off—always use a filter to catch it and throw it away in the trash!
4. Coffee Lip Scrub
This coffee lip scrub is not only easy to make, but it will also remind you of the fall and winter season with its peppermint-y goodness!
Coffee lip scrubs work well because coffee is gentler on the skin than sugar, so you can exfoliate your lips without causing cracking or drying. The mint in this scrub will create a gorgeous “pout” that will make your lips appear fuller and thicker.
Then, we finish it off with some nourishing ingredients like coconut oil to ensure your lips retain their moisture. Did you know that lips are usually the first sign of dehydration? Don’t forget to drink enough water alongside your coffee to keep your skin moist and firm!
- 2 tablespoons fine coffee grounds
- 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil (or Shea butter)
- 2-3 drops peppermint essential oil
Combine ingredients in a small bowl. This will create about an ounce of paste. You won’t need more than a dollop of the scrub for your lips, so you can save the rest in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge. It should last a few weeks. This is gentle enough to use every day or every other day.
SUPER TIP: Don’t forget that the quality of your skincare scrubs and masks will depend entirely on the quality of your coffee. So choose coffee made with high standards and ethical practices that retains its natural health benefits. Choose a high quality bean for the best you can get in coffee.
5. Coffee Body Scrub
Is your skin feeling dry, crusty, or worn out? A full-body coffee scrub works wonders to remove dead skin cells naturally without wearing out your skin. It will also stimulate your skin cells, so you’ll feel instantly energized and tingly all over!
Some skincare pros even claim that a coffee body scrub works to remove marks, scars, and cellulite on the body thanks to caffeine’s stimulating properties. We can’t verify if this is true, but we do know that your body will definitely feel firmer and more youthful after using this scrub!
- 1 cup of coarse coffee grinds
- 1/2 cup raw sugar
- 1/4 tablespoon olive or coconut oil
Combine ingredients in a bowl. In a warm shower, apply mixture all over legs, arms, stomach, and back. Using large circular motions. Leave on skin for five minutes (or while you shampoo and condition). Rinse off in shower and gently pat dry. (Don’t forget to put a catch at the bottom of your shower so the coffee doesn’t clog your pipes.)
Tip For DIY Skincare Using Coffee: If you’re using coffee on your face or lips, you want a fine grind of coffee. For coarser grinds of coffee, use on hair or body. Coarser grinds might be too rough on the sensitive skin on the face.
DIY Skincare Using Coffee
Stop wasting your coffee grounds, and start putting them to use in your beauty routine! Your skin will thank you for the exfoliating, stimulating, and nourishing effects that coffee offers. You’ll start to see firmer and glowing skin, thicker hair, fuller lips, and your body will feel more energized than ever!
How do you create DIY skincare using coffee? Reach out to us with your coffee grounds recycling tips!