Coffee lovers can agree that having that first cup of joe in the morning is just the thing we need to feel ready for the day. What if we told you that you don’t have to drink it to look and feel refreshed?
Beauty experts have found another way to make better coffee – by incorporating it into beauty routines, due to its antioxidants and exfoliating properties. Here are six ways coffee can naturally boost yours.
Coffee Exfoliating Scrub
Coffee is a well-known natural exfoliant that helps you get rid of dead skin cells and a common ingredient in beauty scrubs. It does not dissolve, and it’s great for exfoliating and increasing blood circulation – which is excellent for minimizing the appearance of cellulite.
Coffee Facial for Radiant Skin
If you enjoy natural DIY beauty recipes, ground coffee can be added to coconut oil, honey, or other ingredients to create face masks.
On top of being great for brightening your complexion, it also contains caffeic acid – which is known to boost collagen, an important protein needed to maintain skin elasticity. Be careful if you are sensitive, the grounds may be too abrasive and irritate you.
Natural Hair Tinting
Coffee has a rich tint to it that is great for enhancing naturally brown hair. Mix a few teaspoons of grounds to a handful of hair conditioner and let it sit for at least five minutes. Rinse as usual, and enjoy vibrant, shinier brunette hair. If your hair is lighter, only do this if you want to darken or hair a tone or two.
DIY Fake Tan
Many beauty fans prefer fake tans to avoid the harmful effects of sunbathing or tanning beds. If you want to stay away from bronzers, coffee is a cheap, easy, and all-natural tanning solution to add a little color to your skin.
Start by measuring and brewing it extra strong. Use enough to brew one whole pot, but only add enough water for one cup. You can make it a medium or dark roast, depending on how dark you want it to be. Then, set it aside and let it cool down.
Select a white-based lotion to serve as the base for your homemade tanning lotion. Choose one that is heavy so that it can be diluted by the coffee. Add both to a bowl and mix until it reaches a homogenized consistency.
Treat Tired, Puffy Eyes
Poor sleep, among other factors, can cause the tired, puffy eye look – especially if you’re stressed. The good news is that coffee can play more than one role to wake you up in the morning.
Similar to how you would place cucumber slices or tea bags under your eyes, soak cotton with coffee and leave them under your eyes between ten to fifteen minutes. Then, rinse with cool water, this will result in fresh, vibrant eyes.
Soften Your Feet
While a coffee scrub may be too abrasive for sensitive areas, your feet are an exception. Mix coffee ground, brown sugar, and sweet almond oil or coconut oil into a medium bowl until it reaches the desired consistency.
Soak your feet in warm water, use the scrub to exfoliate them by rubbing in small, circular motions. Then, rinse with warm water and pat dry. Repeat this every week, and you’ll notice that your feet are significantly softer than ever before.
Conclusion
The ingredients mentioned can be substituted, but there’s one certain thing, coffee is an underrated but incredibly valuable addition to your beauty routine.
This is also a great alternative for those that aren’t big coffee drinkers, but still want to reap the benefits of this antioxidant-rich bean.
