Coffee mask recipes on the internet claim that you can reduce eye bags in a week. Compared to expensive eye creams that are loaded with questionable chemicals, a coffee mask sounds like a good, cheap, and natural alternative. But does it work?
While the results vary depending on the individual, coffee organically contains antioxidants that can tighten your skin, a coarse texture to exfoliate dead skin, and a few vitamins to nourish. Plus, it’s inexpensive so you’re not gambling $20+ on commercial skin care products that you might not use again. Keep reading to learn why you should try using coffee grounds for eye bags and reducing puffiness.
Why Is Coffee Good for Skin?
The verdict is in! Coffee is a healthy drink that’s loaded with antioxidants that fight chronic inflammation and may even reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. But what about external use? Coffee can directly reduce inflammation on your skin—such as eye bags—through these naturally present properties.
Caffeine constricts your blood vessels, reducing under eye puffiness. Antioxidants fight the free radicals in the body which wreak havoc on our cells and accelerate aging. We don’t talk about riboflavin and vitamin B that’s in coffee too much because there’s not an overwhelming amount (about 11% of your daily value of riboflavin in an 8 oz. cup), but every little bit counts and these vitamins are nourishing to your skin.
Lastly, the coarse texture of coffee grounds is great for exfoliating the dead skin cells on the surface. Knowing all these benefits, how could it hurt to try a coffee mask?
Why a Coffee Mask May Not Be a Good Fit for You
There are only two reasons not to try this project. The first one is obvious: you’re allergic to coffee or another ingredient in the mask. Although it’s rare, some people are actually allergic to caffeine. If this is you, please don’t try this mask.
Assuming you’re already enjoying coffee since you’re on this site, the only other reason a coffee mask might not be for you is if you have super sensitive skin that does not tolerate an abrasive exfoliate. Coffee grounds might irritate sensitive skin since they have a rough texture.
If you suspect this might be a problem, you can always ground the beans until they have a dust-like consistency or mix in a higher ratio of a moisturizing ingredient such as honey. Take care when you rub it on your skin and rinse it off gently to avoid scraping.
How to Apply a Coffee Mask
If the idea of using coffee for anything other than drinking sounds like an abhorrent waste, rest assured that you can use leftover coffee grounds for this DIY project! There are so many different coffee mask recipes, but here are two simple methods.
Take freshly brewed grounds and rub them onto the area around your eyes. Gently massage the grounds into your skin, avoiding getting the grounds in your eyes because that will irritate. Leave the mask on for up to twenty minutes and then rinse off with cool water.
The second method blends 2 tbsp. of coffee grounds with 1 tbsp. of honey. Massage this mixture into your skin. Let it sit for 20 minutes and then wash it away. Some people prefer this treatment because the honey moisturizes their skin while the coffee exfoliates and tightens. There are also commercially available coffee masks, like this one on Amazon if you don’t want to go the DIY route.
Conclusion
Coffee grounds are loaded with healthy properties that nourish your skin. It’s worth trying a cheap coffee mask to reduce dark circles and puffiness before taking a risk on a commercial skincare product. While the results vary, there isn’t much to lose since you’ll be re-using leftover coffee grounds. You might just find that your new favorite skincare product conveniently rests beside your French press.
Featured Image Credit: JLco Julia Amaral, Shutterstock
