Is your skin tired? Wake it up! Detoxify, brighten, tighten, and feed your skin with coffee in the form of a coffee mask.  

We all know there are lots of benefits to coffee. It helps get the day going as one of the most used drugs. Yes, it’s a drug. Coffee is the most socially-accepted stimulant nowadays—a good thing for everyone that feels like they never get enough sleep. 

What Are The Health Benefits? 

Coffee can provide a wide variety of benefits, both inside and outside the body. (1)  

Inside benefits 

Gallbladder Health

Coffee has been shown to significantly lower one’s risk for gallstones. (2)  

Liver Health

The liver benefits from coffee as this stimulant reduces the risk of liver cancer (3) and hepatocellular carcinoma. (4) Coffee may also reduce non-alcoholic fatty liver disease prevalence and inflammation. (5)  

Circulatory System Support

This stimulating beverage benefits your circulatory system by promoting blood flow. (6) In addition, it improves the function of cells lining blood vessel walls and can constrict blood vessels. 

Outside Benefits 

Looking to help your skin firm up and rejuvenate? Coffee’s got you covered on this one, too, as it supports the production of elastin and collagen, easing the effects of time and age. (7) You don’t de-age, but your skin will look and feel younger. Why? Because coffee feeds your skin by driving nutrients into cells. How else does coffee help your skin, specifically? 

Cellulite Reduction

Caffeine, when applied topically, has been shown to help reduce the visibility of cellulite. (8) It’s worth pointing out that while cellulite affects the skin, it isn’t a skin problem. It has to do with the structure of your subcutaneous tissue and circulation. And as shown above, caffeine helps with your circulatory system.  

Skin Clarity

Coffee may help protect the skin from things like photoaging and wrinkles. A study done on middle-aged Japanese women found that caffeine consumption led to a decrease in pigmented spots. (9)

Helps Your Body Protect Itself Against Skin Cancer

UV rays generate free radicals in the body. Free radicals are reactive and unstable molecules and can damage DNA. This damage can lead to things like cancer and heart disease. (10) The Skin Cancer Foundation says that 90% of nonmelanoma skin cancers and 86% of melanoma skin cancers are associated with solar UV. Antioxidants fight and neutralize free radicals. (11)  

Coffee recently became, and has stayed, the highest source of antioxidants Americans have. (12, 13) It has also been shown to encourage death in cells damaged by UV rays, meaning it’s great after-sun care, as well! (14) 

Fights Inflammation 

Studies done with animals show coffee lowering inflammation markers. While human studies have shown mixed results, coffee does show promise for supporting a balanced inflammatory response. (15) Of course, if you’re allergic to coffee, it’s going to have the opposite effect, creating inflammation. That may explain the mixed results. 

Fights Dark Circles Under the Eyes

Dark circles under the eyes can come from dilated blood vessels. As mentioned above, coffee helps constrict blood vessels, lessening the appearance of dark circles, if not taking them away completely. 

The Wellness Way’s Coffee Mask 

Coffee has far more benefits than most attribute to it. Make this great coffee mask with quality ingredients and support the largest organ in your body and your body’s first line of defense. 

As always, be aware of your allergies and choose quality, organic ingredients. As stated above, coffee drives nutrients into the cells. This works as a double-sided blade, however. If you’re not using a quality product, it can instead drive in toxins. It is notorious for being loaded with pesticides – So, for real benefits, going organic is a must.  

Recipe 

• Coffee Grounds have so many benefits. If you choose a quality, organic coffee it will stimulate blood flow (6) and get rid of fine lines while brightening your skin. (7) 
• Avocado is great for essential fatty acids (16) and other nutrients that will nourish and smooth your skin. 
• Coconut oil is amazing for your skin. (17) It is hydrating, is great for all skin types, and is loaded with antioxidants. It’s also antimicrobial and has a small SPF to add to its protective benefits. If your skin is sensitive to coconut oil, choose another oil. 
• Honey is microbial and has lots of nutrients! 
• Cacao has theobromine which is a sister to caffeine and can tighten skin and reduce puffiness. It also has great antioxidants. It will combine with the coffee and coconut oil for an invigorating smell. 
• Frankincense and Lavender Essential Oils are our favorite oils for adding to skin care products. Frankincense reduces inflammation (18), slows aging (19), is antiseptic, and fights wrinkles. (19) Lavender reduces acne, is an antioxidant, reduces inflammation, and tightens the skin. (20) Both essential oils reduce stress, which is important for healthy skin and a healthy body! 

Mix these ingredients together for an indulgent coffee mask. You can just mix for a mask with more exfoliation or blend all ingredients in a food processor for a smoother cream. Apply to the skin in a circular motion for exfoliation and leave on your skin for 15- 30 minutes. A short time later, you’ll have no more tired skin, and it’ll be detoxified. 

LEARN MORE! 

Want to learn more benefits of coffee? Check out these coffee quick tips! 

References:

1. A double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and tolerance of a novel phenolic antioxidant skin care system containing Coffea arabica and concentrated fruit and vegetable extracts: NIH 
2. Coffee consumption and health: umbrella review of meta-analyses of multiple health outcomes: NIH 
3. Coffee Drinking and Reduced Risk of Liver Cancer: Update on Epidemiological Findings and Potential Mechanisms: NIH 
4. Association of Coffee Intake With Reduced Incidence of Liver Cancer and Death From Chronic Liver Disease in the US Multiethnic Cohort: Gastroenterology 
5. Coffee and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: brewing evidence for hepatoprotection?: NIH 
6. Drinking coffee significantly improves blood flow, study finds: The Independent 
7. Effect of green Coffea arabica L. seed oil on extracellular matrix components and water-channel expression in in vitro and ex vivo human skin models: NIH 
8. Evaluation of the efficacy of a topical cosmetic slimming product combining tetrahydroxypropyl ethylenediamine, caffeine, carnitine, forskolin and retinol, In vitro, ex vivo and in vivo studies: NIH 
9. Skin photoprotection and consumption of coffee and polyphenols in healthy middle-aged Japanese females: NIH 
10. What Exactly Are Free Radicals and Why Are They Important?: Very Well Health 
11. Antioxidants and Cancer Prevention: NIH 
12. Coffee is number one source of antioxidants: EurekAlert! 
13. Coffee: The World’s Biggest Source of Antioxidants: EcoWatch 
14. ATR–Chk1 Pathway Inhibition Promotes Apoptosis after UV Treatment in Primary Human Keratinocytes: Potential Basis for the UV Protective Effects of Caffeine: ScienceDirect 
15. Impact of coffee components on inflammatory markers: A review: ScienceDirect 
16. Avocado: Are There Health Benefits?: WebMD 
17. Should You Use Coconut Oil on Your Skin?: Cleveland Clinic 
18. Health Benefits of Frankincense Essential Oil: WebMD 
19. 15 Amazing Frankincense Essential Oil Benefits: Anveya 
20. How Lavender Can Improve Your Health: Cleveland Clinic