Caffeinated Coffee Facial Treatment

Ok, so, there are a lot of face products out there that contain caffeine, because when used topically, it can be beneficial for your skin. Softening and increasing circulation, to name a couple benefits. My favorite caffeinated face product has been Clean & Clear Brightening Face Scrub with Lemongrass and Caffeine. But I had heard things about repurposing used coffee grounds into a facial mask or scrub, and since it would be natural and save me a few bucks, I figure, why not? Here are instructions on how you, too, can make your own caffeinated coffee facial treatment :-)

First, of course, you'll need some coffee grounds, after you're done making your coffee. Let them cool, but it's best to use them within 20 mins after brewing. The finer they're ground, the better. After all, we don't want to be too rough on our skin. If your coffee grounds are a bit coarse, don't worry, they'll still work. Just keep in mind, be careful if using as a scrub, be gentle!

Now, you can use the coffee alone, by wetting your face with warm water, then using your fingertips to scoop the grounds onto your face, gently rubbing in a circular motion. Or use it as a mask by wetting your face, applying and leaving for 5-15 minutes, then rising off with warm water, gently rubbing in circular motions. Follow with a cool water rinse to close your pores.

I, however, suggest pairing the coffee facial treatment with another beneficial ingredient...

If you have acne-prone skin, try the mask method, but make a paste with the coffee and some honey. Honey has natural anti-bacterial properties to help combat the icky bacteria that causes breakouts. Just remember to be very gentle when removing the mask. You can use a very soft touch, in circular motions, to exfoliate while removing the mask, but avoid this if you have irritated blemishes, because the exfoliation could irritate the already irritated skin. If this is the case, simply wash the mask off with warm water, without rubbing the coffee on your skin for the exfoliation benefit.

If you have dry skin, try the scrub method, but mix the coffee with a little olive oil. It's great for moisturizing.

As you can see, you can customize your coffee facial treatment for your skin type. Other things you can mix with the coffee: plain Greek yogurt, milk, cream, beaten egg white, ground cocoa, etc. You can also substitute ground cocoa for ground coffee.

Remember to always open your pores with warm water before any facial treatment, and close your pores with cool water after the treatment. The same thing applies when washing your face, even with your usual cleanser. :-)