Who doesn’t love the smell of coffee and even better enjoy a cup of coffee every morning? Especially after long nights, a mug of this aromatic elixir helps you jump-start the day. Now coffee is not only good to elevate your mood, but it also offers a myriad of beauty benefits and can bestow wonders when applied to your skin.
Flavonoids
What makes coffee so special? In a word: flavonoids. Scientists have known for a long time that antioxidants are vital for protecting the body against inflammation and keeping it healthy. Vitamin A, C, and E were the known antioxidants until a few years ago – until the big splash that resveratrol made. Resveratrol is a flavonoid, a group of plant chemicals (phytonutrients).
Flavonoids are found in almost all fruits and vegetables. They are responsible for the vivid colours in the plants. Flavonoids help plants resist disease and bacteria as well as UV filtration.
Recent research has shown how diets rich in fruits and vegetables, that is with lots of flavonoids have a multitude of health benefits like
- anti-viral
- anti-cancer
- anti-inflammatory
- anti-allergic
The beauty industry has understood the value of flavonoids and worked them into skincare products. More than 6000 of these plant compounds have now been identified. As research progresses, some may be even more powerful than the the “big” vitamins originally classed as antioxidants.
How Can Flavonoids Benefit Your Skin?
The main cause to ageing is free radicals. Too much sun exposure, environmental pollution, lack of exercise, and an unhealthy lifestyle all contribute to premature ageing. The flavonoids in coffee neutralise free radicals and so protect you from damages caused by these free radicals. Drinking coffee in moderation promotes good health and gives you an extra energy boost. Using coffee topically helps reveal evenly toned, smooth skin all over your body.
Rejuvenate and smooth lines
Coffee, containing antioxidants, has a similar effect on the skin as the anti-aging skincare ingredient hyaluronic acid. It can boost collagen and elastin generation, making the skin firmer and so reduce the signs of wrinkles and fine lines.
Coffee strengthens your skin barrier and helps prevent moisture from evaporating from the skin keeping the skin hydrated.
Lastly, flavonoids enhance skin cell regeneration, which can speed up the process of old skin giving way to youthful new skin.
Reduce puffiness
Caffeine stimulates blood flow and widens the blood vessels. This increases blood circulation in the skin smoothing puffy skin. That is why eye creams often contain coffee extract or caffeine to decrease under-eye puffiness.
Calming
The anti-inflammatory properties can soothe inflamed and red skin. The antioxidants further calm and restore the skin.
Overall, flavonoids provide all kinds of inflammation protection, it can help treat acne and blemishes and soothe irritated skin.
Decrease cellulite
Coffee can dissolve fat below the skin by converting it to fatty acids. As coffee is stimulating and increases the blood flow, these fatty acids can then be removed by the blood circulation. This minimises the appearance of cellulite, making your skin smoother.
Protect Your Skin From UV
Coffee contains antioxidants help to protect against UV, this applies to drinking coffee as well as applying skincare products containing coffee.
You can also use the same anti-aging benefits from coffee for your post-sun care. But by no means does this mean that coffee is in some way a replacement for sunscreen.
Coffee Face Packs
Knowing how coffee can make a difference in skincare, there is a multitude of beauty products containing coffee. How about trying your hand with coffee face masks? You have the choice of using
- the coffee grounds left over from your morning cup
- coffee powder
- coffee extract
Know that the potency goes from the spent coffee grounds to the very potent coffee extract. But the coffee grounds still have some skincare benefits. They can be used to make scrubs that will smoothen and soften your skin. It’s great for rough, dry places like elbows, knees, and feet.
Coffee And Honey Face Mask
Honey perfectly complements coffee. This rejuvenating mask will calm and smooth out ageing signs like wrinkles and fine lines.
Mix a tablespoon coffee powder with one tablespoon of honey. Apply on your face and chest area. If you like, massage the mask into your skin or leave it for 20 minutes, then rinse off.
Coffee And Yoghurt Face Mask
Does your skin feel tired and look dull? This brightening mask will leave your skin glowing and soft. As exfoliating mask, use it only once or twice a week.
Mix a teaspoon coffee powder with one tablespoon of plain yoghurt. Apply on your face and chest area and massage for 5 minutes, then rinse off.
Coffee And Avocado Oil Face Mask
If you’re troubled with dry skin and flaky skin, this face mask will nourish your skin. Regular use will not only help you get rid of dry skin but also fade dark spots and leave you with a bright even skin. If you don’t find avocado oil, you can substitute it with olive oil.
Mix one teaspoon coffee powder with one tablespoon avocado oil. Apply it on your face and everywhere you need it. Let the mask dry for 20 minutes before rinsing it off.
Do you have other coffee skincare recipes? Leave it in the comments.
