You know your morning coffee is a necessity to get out of bed and make it to work on time and keep you going throughout the day. But did you know it might actually be good for your skin too?
Coffee, mostly because of the caffeine, can help to temporarily firm sagging skin, which is ideal for those days when you just can’t get enough beauty sleep.
Coffee, Aloe, and Cucumber Refreshing Treatment
A mixture of coffee and cucumber can help to soothe tired eyes and give the skin around your eyes a firmer appearance — at least for a night on the town — according to Josephine Fairley, author of “The Ultimate Natural Beauty Book.”
To make the mixture, combine 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel, 1 tablespoon of mashed cucumber, 1/4 teaspoon of cornstarch, 1 teaspoon of brewed, cooled coffee, and 1 tablespoon of witch hazel.
Soak a clean cloth in the mixture and squeeze out any excess liquid. Place the cloth over your eyes for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing your face with cool water.
Parsley and Coffee Toner
Parsley and coffee toner is excellent for acne-prone skin, and if you’re used to getting breakouts around your eyebrows and near your eyes, this toner is perfect for you.
To make the mixture, combine 1 ounce of fresh parsley leaves and 2 teaspoons of ground coffee with 1/2 cup of hot water and let it steep for 10 minutes in a French press. Transfer the liquid to a clean glass jar or bowl and add 4 drops of tea tree oil and 1/2 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.
Stir the mixture and transfer it to a spray bottle. Mist the mixture over your closed eyelids and around your face to help clear up those blemishes and tone your skin. You can store the parsley and coffee toner in the refrigerator for up to 72 hours if you need a quick spritz.
Chamomile and Coffee Eye Bags
Chamomile can help to reduce the look of puffy, tired eyes, and when combined with coffee, the mixture can make you look alert and ready for the day even when you’re not.
Combine 1/2 cup of dried chamomile flowers with 1 teaspoon of coarse ground coffee in a tea bag and add it to 1/2 cup of hot — but not boiling — water.
Let the tea bag steep for five minutes before placing the liquid in the refrigerator. Once it’s cool, soak two cotton pads in the mixture and place them on your eyelids for five to 10 minutes.
There’s no need to rinse your face after this treatment as long as no irritation occurs.
Considerations
Coffee can be somewhat drying to your skin, and caffeine can be irritating when applied to the skin for some people according to Barbara Close, author of “Pure Skin: Organic Beauty Basics.”
Before you put too much of any facial mixture with coffee in it on your face, you should test a small portion first.