It looks like today’s metropolitan lives are fuelled by coffee.

Sure, we love that coffee perks us up to last

through the day, and we’ve practically embraced those quaint joints that mark every street corner.

However, there are reasons beyond the obvious that show how coffee permeates through our lives.
While it is scientifically proven that this ‘wonder drink’, when consumed in moderation, promotes good
health and contains properties that help you keep illness at bay, coffee lovers now have a reason to
rejoice as we decipher its numerous benefits for the skin!

Delving deeper into the benefits of coffee, it has also been noted that coffee is great for the skin. While
drinking a cup gets you that internal coffee boost, rubbing your skin with a soap or cream that contains
coffee also promises a whole set of benefits that make coffee a favourite skin ‘drink.’

Here are some reasons your skin will thank you for an external coffee boost :

It’s a rich source of antioxidants: The environment is full of free radicals (pollution particles, etc.) that
wreak havoc on the skin. However, loading up skin with the antioxidants in coffee protects it and
bolsters its natural defences. In fact, a study showed that coffee bean extracts can be responsible for
skin cell energy preservation due to its free-radical properties.”

It protects against harsh sun rays: UVB is harmful and may even lead to more complicated and life-
threatening skin diseases. Protecting your skin with caffeine may protect it against UV carcinogens.
According to another study, caffeine actually inhibits the DNA damage response, thus protecting skin
against the adverse effects of UVB. The inhibition of DNA damage response may offer a therapeutic
option for non-melanoma skin cancer.

It makes skin smooth and bright: Because of its qualities that signal tissue repair, coffee plays a crucial
role in regulating cell re-growth, leading to retained hydration (increased collagen) and increased skin
elasticity.

It enhances circulation: When coffee promotes blood circulation, it leads to healthy and energised skin,
effectively reducing the swelling of tissues and de-puffing areas of the skin.You can also make coffee ice
cubes in advance and trace it over the affected are.

Apart from drinking coffee, you can also use coffee in many beauty recipes for gorgeous skin and hair.
This genius ingredient works great as an exfoliator and a genius hack for puffy eyes.

Here are 5 Amazing Benefits of Coffee for Skin :

1. Face scrub

This ingredient works great as a scrub as it is not harsh on the skin. Try a natural scrub by mixing ground
coffee, brown sugar, and olive oil. Once you have mixed it well, massage it on your face in circular
motions to buff away the dead skin cells.
2. Scalp exfoliator

Coffee is also a great exfoliator for your scalp. Take a half cup of ground coffee and massage on your wet
hair for two minutes. Rinse it off with your regular shampoo and conditioner. This will help to get rid of
excess product build up and dead skin cells.

3. Anti-cellulite body scrub

This genius ingredient is also known a good body scrub to minimize cellulite. Coffee helps to tighten skin
and also reduce the appearance of dimply cellulite. For the DIY body scrub, mix ground coffee with a
spoon of olive oil and sugar. Use this mixture and massage on the affected area in circular motions. You
can follow this routine on daily basis, depending on your skin type.

4. Skin brightener

For a radiant and glowing complexion, you can try a coffee mask. Take half cup of coffee and mix it with
few spoons of milk for thick consistency. Use this mixture as a face pack for 10-15 minutes and wash it
off with lukewarm water. This face mask will help to get rid of dead skin cells, leaving behind a glowing
skin.

5. Reduce puffy eyes

Coffee increases circulation and also helps to reduce puffiness as it is high in antioxidant properties. It
helps to shrink blood vessels and works great to reduce eye puffiness. Whenever you make a cup of
coffee, keep the grounds aside and let them cool for some time. Apply the leftover under the eyes and
eyelid area for a few minutes and later rinse it off with cold water. For puffy eyes, you can also try the
coffee ice cubes hack.

Overview

You might rely on your morning cup of coffee to boost your energy and metabolism on a daily basis.
While coffee is most widely used as a beverage, it’s also gaining a reputation as an alternative remedy
for the skin. This is thanks to its antioxidants, which include phenols that help fight free radicals that can
lead to skin damage. In fact, the American Chemical Society has found that coffee is the most popular
source of antioxidants in the United States — even more so than other antioxidant-rich beverages, such
as tea and wine.

While a cup of coffee can provide antioxidants internally, the purported skin benefits from coffee are
primarily obtained topically. This involves making a mask, scrub, or paste from fresh coffee grounds and
applying them to your skin directly.
Learn more about how coffee can directly benefit your skin, and whether these beans really live up to
their hype when it comes to skin health.

How coffee can benefit your skin

Below are eight of the purported benefits that coffee may have for your skin, as well as suggested
recipes for using them.

1. Cellulite reduction

Coffee may help reduce the appearance of cellulite on the skin. It’s thought that the caffeine content in
coffee is the key to cellulite reduction by dilating blood vessels beneath the skin and improving overall
blood flow. In turn, this may help decrease the appearance of cellulite.

This skincare method is thought to best be used via a coffee scrub because the exfoliation can also
smooth your skin and provide an even appearance.

Keep reading to find out how to make a coffee scrub for cellulite.

2. Calming effects

While coffee is renowned for its stimulating effects inside the body, it may provide the opposite effects
when applied topically. This is thanks to the antioxidants in coffee.

3. Anti-aging benefits

Applying coffee directly to your skin may help decrease the appearance of sun spots, redness, and fine
lines. In fact, one study found a direct correlation between drinking coffee and a decrease in photoaging
effects.

4. Vitamin B-3 for skin cancer

Coffee is a rich source of vitamin B3 (niacin), thanks to a breakdown of a key compound called
trigonelline. However, trigonelline breaks down into niacin after coffee beans have been roasted.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, niacin may be helpful in preventing nonmelanoma skin
cancers and can possibly prevent other skin growths.

5. Reduced inflammation

Anti-inflammatory effects may be attributed to chlorogenic acid (CGA) as well as melanoidins in coffee.
CGA is also linked to reducing hyperpigmentation that may have a connection with inflammation.

6. Acne treatment

In the case of a wound or frequent skin infections, the regular use of coffee could help combat problems
from harmful bacteria. The CGAs in coffee have both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Combined with the natural exfoliation of coffee grounds, all these benefits can collectively fight acne.

7. Dark circles

Coffee may also help treat stubborn dark circles under the eyes, according to Beverly Hills MD
Cosmeceuticals. This is because the caffeine content in coffee is thought to help dilate blood vessels that
contribute to dark circles.

To use coffee for dark undereye circles:

Combine ½ tsp each of coffee grounds and olive oil. Add in a couple drops of water to make a small
paste in your hand.

Gently pat underneath your eyes without rubbing.

Leave the mixture on for five to ten minutes.

Rinse off with water or gently wipe the mask with a soft cloth. Repeat as often as needed.

8. After-sun care

The same anti-aging benefits from coffee can also be used for post-sun care. The key here is to make a
soothing treatment that your sunburned skin will appreciate — not a mask or a scrub as you would for
other skin ailments.
To make a coffee-based skin treatment for a sunburn:

Brew a fresh cup of coffee. Then, dilute it with cold water.

Place a soft cloth or a study paper towel in the water and wring out any excess.

Gently dab the cloth on the affected areas of skin.

Repeat several times a day until redness and swelling start to subside.

6 ANTIOXIDANTS IN COFFEE YOU PROBABLY DIDN’T KNOW EXISTED

Health

Everybody wants a good coffee. One reason is that coffee is potentially the biggest source of antioxidant
power the world over. The other reason is, well, because good coffee is addictive; in a good way.

Although researchers are still en route to justifying things 100 percent, antioxidant properties in coffee
can help in losing weight, prevent diabetes and protect one from some forms of cancer – all of which are
major health issues faced by an alarmingly expanding number of people across the globe.

Antioxidants in a Flash

The connecting line among these conditions is that they are all traceable back to high toxin levels in the
body. Cancer, heart disease, diabetes, premature ageing, and some forms of cognitive decline disorders
linked to inadequate antioxidant levels or function in the body.

Antioxidants are “cleaners” and oxidise free radicals in the body to form harmless substances that can
then be flushed out of the bloodstream and body, naturally. In this case, antioxidants can be derived
from a drink – and coffee is its name.
Coffee has had a negative health reputation

New research indicates that taking 3-5 cups of coffee on a daily basis can serve up to 60 percent of your
daily antioxidant intake requirement. Conversely, coffee has been touted as toxic in itself, primarily due
to its stimulant caffeine content.

In fact, a Nestle-backed study in the UK in December of 2010 showed that only about 8 percent of the
2027 respondents considered coffee to be a food type to consider adding to their post-Christmas
antioxidants list. In contrast, 35 percent thought tea was an excellent antioxidant. Of the number, 59
percent thought blackcurrants were the boom and 40 percent vouched for dark chocolate.

Despite its controversial reputation as far as health matters, coffee is still a deterrent and wildly popular
beverage as ever–more than scotch. Coffee statistics provided by The Specialty Coffee Association of
America and National Coffee Association prove the following:

1. About half the population of the US are avid coffee drinkers

2. These 150+ million people average about 3.1 cups of coffee daily

3. The average person drinks 1.6 cups of coffee per day

4. 35 percent prefer black coffee, and 65 percent prefer to add sugar or cream.

In October 2015 alone, worldwide coffee exports topped the 8.74 million bags mark. However, that
figure was lower than September’s 8.87 million bags, according to the International Coffee Organisation
(ICO).

So, what has changed in just three years? What antioxidants does coffee have that you may not have
heard of already? Why coffee?

Antioxidants in Coffee

In 2005, a study that was principally backed financially by the American Cocoa Association, and
broadcast to the world by the lead researcher Joe Vinson, indicated that coffee contained more
antioxidant properties than previously thought. Unfortunately, at the time, those antioxidant properties
he found only showed up after at a particular point in the coffee-roasting process. That means that at a
precise point in roasting, the antioxidants benefits in coffee could be captured, or squashed.
How to prepare coffee matters. The processing method significantly affects antioxidant activity. For
example, roasted coffee contains more antioxidants than non-roasted coffee does.

In particular, though, a few other studies have established some truths about coffee antioxidants. While
most of the known antioxidants come from minerals and coloured fruits and vegetables, some other
compounds do contain antioxidant properties—and these are some of the ones found in coffee
beverages.

Here are conclusive, and in some cases, ongoing research and findings on things coffee as an
antioxidant.

1. Cafestol

Cafestol in coffee beans is still available even after decaffeination. Cafestol acts as a bile acid modulator
in the intestine. It is also a potent anti-inflammatory substance in the brain and (decaffeinated) coffee
may help improve memory, according to the Science Daily.

2. Trigonelline

This compound is anti-bacterial and may help prevent dental caries. Trigonelline, coffee’s bitter alkaloid,
also adds to the unique aroma of coffee.

The compound is 10 times higher in roast coffee that green coffee and is also significantly higher content
for Arabica than Robusta coffee. What else to note is how it degrades when roasted. The darker the
roast, the lesser the Trigonelline content left. When roast, Trigonelline partially degrades to form
nicotinic acid and pyridines.

Nicotinic acid is also known as Vitamin B3 (or niacin), which is a well-known antioxidant. By
demethylating Trigonelline at high temperatures of between 160 degree Celsius and 230 degree Celsius,
roasters can gain vitamin B3 when 85 percent Trigonelline decomposes. What really matters is the
temperature applied as opposed to how long the coffee lasts in the heat.
3. Chlorogenic Acid

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is abundant in both green and roasted coffee. According to the Journal of
Nutrition, CGA stands in for a large number of esterified compounds – it is the ester of caffeic acid, for
example.

The phenolic compound is a core player in antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity in
the body. Lactones found in CGA have also shown to enhance insulin function in lab rats. If it worked in
humans, CGA might be used to fight diabetes. Green coffee is cited as a primary source of CGA, and
tests conducted in rats and humans lead to findings that CGAs helps curb fat accumulation in the body
and boost metabolism rate. However, this study used decaffeinated coffee only and no regular coffee at
all.

Other Phenols

In particular, Hydroxycinnamic acid contains some of the most active antioxidant properties in a coffee
beverage. Hydroxycinnamic acid is cited as a powerful oxidising agent that neutralises free radicals and
aids in curbing the adverse effects of oxidative stress. To single out three of the most abundant:

3-Caffeoylquinic acid

4-Caffeoylquinic acid

5-Caffeoylquinic acid

For example, 3-Caffeoylquinic acid is quoted in two studies as consisting of phenolic acid, a compound
found abundantly in coloured fruits and vegetables and is the major ingredient behind antioxidant
powers in both antioxidants-rich foods.

One of the studies is Mattila P., Kumpulainen J. (2002). Published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food
Chemistry (50: 3660-3667) with diode-array detection, it tested and analysed a 40mg/100ml sample of
coffee drink and established that coffee beverages do contain phenolic acid—evidence pointing to the
antioxidant activity of coffee.

4. Melanoidins

Did you know that melanoidin is the reason behind that unique aroma when roasting coffee?
More importantly, coffee melanoidin is the brown coloured, nitrogenous compounds in coffee. The high
molecular weight compounds are formed during the roasting process and carry anti-bacterial and anti-
inflammatory properties, as indicated by one study published in the US National Library of Medicine.

5. Quinine

The bitter compound is one of the primary agents in coffee that give the latter some of its antioxidant
properties. Quinine is derived from the bark of a tropical evergreen plant known as Cinchona tree—
mainly used in Malaria treatment.

The bitterness in some coffee beans can be connected to elevated quinine content. Quinine and coffee
belong to the same Rubiaceae family. But more importantly, quinine as an antioxidant becomes more
potent after coffee is roasted significantly.Coffee beverages contain tiny amounts of quinine substance,
though. Quinine is, in fact, harmful in larger quantities, and some people have allergic reactions to it. But
the tiny amounts that have shown up in coffee sample tests are pretty little and approved by the Food
and Drugs Authority (FDA).

6. Caffeine

Caffeine itself is an antioxidant, according to a study published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry B by
ACS. Caffeinated drinks can help cure headaches, in losing weight and preventing diabetes. Recent
comprehensive analysis of caffeine brought up interesting results that showed caffeine is structurally
similar to uric acid—an established antioxidant.

Furthermore, caffeine can help men suffering from flushing, redness, as well as help in “depuffing” the
skin, according to Jeffrey Benabio, M.D.

However, research is still ongoing into how, exactly, caffeine works as an antioxidant. What’s beyond
doubt, though, is caffeine is most abundant in coffee—more than twice the amount found in tea. If
caffeine indeed turned out to be a healthy antioxidant, the new information could revolutionise how
caffeine is viewed the world over.

Coffee has more antioxidants than both green and black teas
Another study’s results presented by an Italian group of scientists, labels espresso coffee as having a
FRAP of 129. Decaffeinated coffee ranks in with 93. The FRAP test stands for Ferric Reducing Antioxidant
Power. It measures what chemical changes happen and how well those changes occur when a substance
has interacted with various foods.

The same scale indicates both green and black teas to have a FRAP ranking of 18 and 10 respectively.
That would mean that coffee does, in fact, have more antioxidant benefits than both types of tea.

FRAP is yet to review what exactly contributes to coffee’s antioxidant power, or exactly what chemicals
or chemical compounds in coffee can be singled out as the chief antioxidant agents.

Coffee has more antioxidants than red wine

According to the research done for Nestle by polling organisation, YouGov, while 40 percent of the 2027
respondents thought red wine as a better solution as an antioxidant than coffee, this could not be
further from the truth.

According to a 2010 study led by researcher Perez Jemenez.J, for every serving of 200 ml of soluble
coffee, there is about 387 mg of antioxidants’ benefits. The findings, Identification of the 100 richest
dietary sources of Polyphenols, established that red wine, on the other hand, served about 269 mg of
the same benefits per 125ml serving. The difference may be little when the two are served in equal
portions but a difference nevertheless.

Coffee: The world’s largest source of antioxidants

In the US for example, only about 21 percent of Americans intake their antioxidants from other food
sources other than coffee. On a global scale, coffee is up top with oil as far as the most traded
commodities in the world stack up. Also, the fact that new research also indicates coffee to comprise
more antioxidants than the likes of tea and dark chocolate means that coffee is indeed up there with
blueberries as a potent antioxidant.

Health Benefits of Coffee

To top this list of coffee antioxidants, here are some ways coffee is beneficial to your health.

1. Reduces risk of cancer

Coffee’s antioxidant properties have been linked in multiple studies to help flush out toxins that may
lead to protein and DNA damage by free radicals. According to Dr. David Troup of Monash University,
and one of the first scientists to discover that coffee has free radicals, coffee can react with harmful free
radicals and help curb their adverse effects.Decaffeinated coffee drinkers are 15 percent less likely to
develop colon cancer for up to 10 years compared with non-drinkers, according to another study
published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The same survey indicates that coffee intake can
help curb rectal cancer as opposed to coffee consumption, which had no effect at all.

2. Curb premature ageing

In addition to preventing cancerous effects, antioxidants in coffee can help alleviate the danger that
ultra-violet rays pose to the skin. As such, drinking coffee may help prevent skin cancer.

3. Prevent Cognitive Decline

Coffee consumption can help prevent mental disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease and
other forms of dementia. In one study, coffee consumption is shown to help women deal with stress,
avoid depression and suicidal thoughts.

Health Risks of Coffee

Coffee is not without a couple of health issues. In fact, excessive consumption of coffee can lead to
addiction and, ultimately, loss of life. Drinking more than 8 cups of coffee per day can lead to increased
levels of bad cholesterol in the blood, result in excessive weight gain and diabetes.

Additionally, caffeine consumption can cause men with enlarged prostates to witness increased
symptoms. Some compounds of coffee, such as melanoidin formed after roasting coffee, can trigger
allergic reactions in some people. Pregnant women are also advised not to over-indulge in drinking
coffee as it can lead to a miscarriage.

Bottom line
New research indicates that coffee antioxidants do make coffee a healthier antioxidant solution
compared to other well known antioxidant compounds. Coffee’s primary source of antioxidant power
reigns from its polyphenols, caffeine and CGAs components. But almost every study that credits coffee
as a super antioxidant also highlights caffeine as a major health alarm to watch out for.

Apart from the fact that caffeine can easily be an addictive stimulant, it can also lead to a flurry of health
issues such as increased levels of LDL (bad cholesterol), heart disease as well as muscular tremors. The
latter could happen as a result of the inadequacy of magnesium in the body, an essential mineral that
the body needs to regulate physiological processes such as cell energy absorption. It is, therefore, wise
to take coffee in moderation. The benefits mentioned above result only from a moderate coffee intake.

There are quite a few rumors out there about what caffeine does to your skin, and especially what
coffee does to your skin. Can the acidity of coffee change the pigment of your lips? Will drinking one cup
of coffee per day actually be beneficial? Can too much coffee dehydrate your body and your skin? We
wanted to get down to the bottom of things, so we turned to board-certified dermatologist and member
of the American Academy of Dermatology Dr. Gary Goldfaden. Below, he busts the coffee myths!

Beauty High: Can drinking coffee for an extended period of time change the color of your lips (due to the
acidity)?

Dr. Gary Goldfaden: No, coffee will not change the color of lips but can obviously stain the teeth.

MORE: The Health Benefits of Tea

What effects does caffeine have on the health of your skin? Are they mostly positive or negative?

Caffeine in skin care products can be beneficial. It helps to get rid of cellulite or at least the appearance
of it. Caffeine is a stimulant and stimulates the brain and nervous system. Indirectly, this can make you
feel like you have more energy and therefore you may exercise more, which is beneficial to the skin.
Caffeine can be used as an exfoliator as well. Coffee grounds are rough and also help to pull water from
the fat layers of the skin, reducing the appearance of cellulite.

Is there a safe daily serving amount of coffee that won’t harm skin?
There is not one safe serving. I think it is dependent on the person. One cup a day has been shown to
actually be beneficial for health.

MORE: From Body Scrubs to Hair Treatments: 5 DIY Recipes Using Coffee

Would changing the caffeine source from coffee to green tea or another caffeinated beverage change
the effects?

Changing the source won’t make a difference. Caffeine is caffeine. Green tea has more antioxidants but
other than that not likely to affect anything.

Are there any preventative measures to take to avoid the negative effects of caffeine?

The negative side of caffeine can be dehydration, which is not good for the skin or body. Be diligent
about the amount consumed daily. Small amounts are usually okay and won’t harm the skin.