Coffee your skin now! by Suher Masri

BENEFITS OF COFFEE SOAP FOR YOUR SKIN

by Suher Masri, TheGrid.eu Science adviser

It’s not just for breakfast anymore!  Coffee is more than just a quick pick me up.

Researchers and skin care practitioners alike have found this favorite of all beans can be

beneficial in a variety of forms beyond what we traditionally think of as a morning cup of

Joe!  Consumed in a beverage or applied to the skin via soap, lotion, scrub or mask −

coffee has numerous benefits for the skin including a valuable source of vitamins, nutrients

and antioxidants.

Anti-aging: Coffee, when added to one’s daily skin care routine via a cleansing bar for

example, can reduce dryness, dull appearance and puffiness associated with aging. By

encouraging additional blood flow to the skin’s surface, coffee beans can restore skin’s

luminescence and provide a more youthful appearance! 

Calming.  Although this seems counter intuitive, anti-oxidants in coffee beans provide a

soothing effect and sense of calm and quiet when applied directly to the skin via a soap bar

or other skin care product. While there is much to learn about this phenomenon, it is most

likely due to the body’s increased blood flow resulting in a feeling of well being. 

Exfolliant and Cellulite Reduction.  When added to a soap bar or a body scrub, finely

ground coffee beans can rid the skin of dry, dead skin cells and restore it to a more radiant

and smooth appearance. Coffee, by stimulating blood flow, improves circulation and

consequently the appearance of the skin! 

Cancer Combatant:  Roasted coffee beans are rich in Vitamin B3, also known as Niacin.

B3 is thought to fight nonmelanoma skin cancers and other growths on the skin. Utilizing a

coffee cleansing bar supports this cancer fighting behavior.    

Acne and Antibacterial: The antioxidants, stimulants, and chlorogenic acids found in

coffee make it an effective acne-fighting agent. Acne can be exacerbated by excessive oil,

dead skin cells and topically applied products that clog the pores.  Gently scrubbing the

face with a coffee bean infused soap can help to clear away dead skin cells, unclog the

pores and fight bacteria. 

Dark Circles:  Because of the ability to dilate, or widen, the blood vessels under the skin’s

surface, a coffee based soap or nonabrasive face mask can help reduce the appearance of

dark circles and puffiness under the eyes for a more illuminated appearance.

Sunburn:  Coffee beans have natural anti-inflammatory properties. When the skin is

subjected to too much sun and a sun burn results, a coffee soap when used very cautiously

and gently on a sun burn can reduce inflammation and sooth the skin. 

Rosacea:  This very common skin condition is thought to impact 10% of the population.

Rosacea flare ups are often caused by bacteria and inflammation.  Because of the

antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of coffee beans, using a coffee based soap in

a daily skin routine can reduce the number of occurrences.