Benefits of coffee for skin, coffee good for skin whitening?

Most of us wouldn't dream of starting our day without a hot cup of coffee. But the benefits of coffee can go beyond just your morning call. It can have surprising benefits for your skin.

But coffee is also not a real panacea. Let's take a look at what science says and what coffee can and cannot do for your skin.

Coffee contains antioxidants and aids in aging

Antioxidants help protect your skin from free radical damage, and coffee just happens to be full of antioxidants.

This is good news for your skin as antioxidants fight aging.

Some studies have shown that coffee (especially coffee oil) has similar effects on the skin to the anti-aging skin care ingredient hyaluronic acid. Coffee seed oil increases collagen and elastin, which makes the skin look and feel firmer.

Coffee can also help keep skin hydrated by reducing trans-epidermal water loss (a fancy way of saying moisture evaporating from the skin).

And these qualities don't just come from the roasted bean. Extracts made from coffee silverskin (a solid byproduct of roasting coffee beans) have been shown to have anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties as well as a good source of antioxidants.

Coffee can protect your skin from UV rays

OK, so you probably don't have a coffee silverskin in your kitchen. But I bet you got coffee grounds left over from your morning pot. Consumed coffee grounds also have skincare benefits.

Several studies have shown that coffee grounds extract helps to protect the skin against damage from UV-B rays. So when included in skin care preparations, coffee extract can help protect your skin from wrinkles and sun damage.

Interestingly, drinking coffee can also help protect the skin from the sun.

Coffee drinkers are less likely to develop skin cancer, especially melanoma.

However, this is not a substitute for sunscreen. You will still need to use sunscreen to protect yourself from sunburn and the aging effects of the sun. This is especially true if you are taking medications that cause sun sensitivity.

Your coffee spent has benefits for the skin.

Will the coffee grounds left over after your morning cup of coffee yield the same results as coffee extract? Probably not. Coffee extract is much more powerful than what's left in your filter.

But those spent areas can be used in DIY treatments and can have benefits for your skin. Naturally, the grounds can be worked into handmade scrubs to naturally soften and soften the skin. It is especially good for rough, dry areas such as elbows, knees, and feet.

The caffeine in coffee grounds can also improve the appearance of the skin, albeit temporarily. Caffeine narrows the skin, making it look tighter and tighter (again, temporarily). This tightening effect can help fight puffy eyes and can make cellulite seem less obvious in the short term.

Coffee Scrubs will not clear up acne and can hurt your skin

Wait a minute, coffee lovers.

It can smell great and leave your skin super soft, but contrary to what a plethora of videos online says, coffee is definitely not going to clear up your acne.

Scrubs, even all natural ones, will not clear acne on their own. You see, while scrubs can get rid of the surface layer of dead skin, they don't penetrate the pore. And it's in the pore where acne blemishes start.

Acne is not caused by oil or dirt on the skin's surface. Instead, it's a blockage deeper in the pore (technically called the pilosebaceous unit). This, along with an increase in acne-causing bacteria and inflammation, causes those breakouts we all know and hate.

Exfoliating, however often, will not eliminate those factors that cause acne. What's more, a coffee grounds scrub can be quite aggressive and can irritate already inflamed pimples.

Really, the best choice for acne clearing is proven over-the-counter products (if your acne is mild) or prescription acne treatments or oral medications (for moderate to severe acne). They may not be DIY or trendy, but they work, and you'll be happier with the end results.

Try these DIY care treatments with your used coffee grounds

For a quick and fun DIY treatment to smooth and soften your skin, don't throw away those used coffee grounds. Whip up some of these recipes.

However, be careful if you have sensitive skin. Coffee grounds can be quite harsh on sensitive skin, so you may want to skip the DIY ground coffee spray if your skin is sensitive.

And, regardless of your skin type, don't scrub too aggressively with the coffee treatment. You definitely don't want to irritate your skin. Redness, burning, and sensitivity are all signs that you are overdoing the scrub.

These treatments have to be made fresh every time and discard leftovers. It probably goes without saying, but make sure your terrain is cool enough to handle so you don't burn yourself.

Exfoliating face mask

Mix 1/4 teaspoon of coffee grounds (finely ground) with 1 tablespoon of breakfast product, yogurt. The yogurt flavor is not particularly important, but pure or vanilla works especially well with the natural coffee scent.

Gently massage your face and neck and let it rest for 5 minutes. Rinse well with warm water to reveal clear, soft skin. Don't use it more than once or twice a week.

Coffee and sugar body polish

Mix 1/2 cup granulated sugar (white or brown), 2 tablespoons coffee grounds, and 1/4 cup sweet almond oil.

In the shower you massage all over your body. Pay attention to those rough and dry areas like elbows and knees. Rinse well. Does your skin not feel silky soft?

The oils in this recipe can make your shower floor or tub slippery, so be careful.

Exfoliating foot scrub

Feet need a little extra TLC and can exfoliate more aggressively than other parts of the body. Try mixing 1/4 cup of coffee beans, Dead Sea salt or Epsom salts and olive oil. Use this as a scrub to give your feet a nice treat.

Lip Smoother

Dry lips? Mix a small amount of coffee grounds with a coconut oil. Lightly massage the mixture over the lips and remove with a damp washcloth.