You know that coffee can be a real pick-me-up in the morning. But did you also know that it can be a fixer for tired eyes? Facialists have been using coffee in their beauty and skin treatments for years, but you don't need to head to your local spa and spend a ton of money to get the same effects.
Coffee Grounds
This routine only works if the coffee grounds are used, so the next time you make a pot of coffee, put the grinds aside to cool after they're done brewing. Once they're no longer hot, scoop a little bit up with your fingers and carefully apply to the area under your eyes and on your lids. Close your eyes and relax for 20 minutes. When done, rinse the grounds off with cool water and pat dry with a clean cloth.
Coffee Mask
You can also mix coffee grounds with other ingredients to create a mask that will not only de-puff your eyes, but will also help brighten up your entire face. Mix two tablespoons of dry, unused grounds with three tablespoons of yogurt or heavy cream. Mix together until smooth. Apply to your face in a circular motion, being careful to avoid your eyes. Let the mask sit on your face for 20 minutes to dry. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and pat your face dry.
How It Works
There are several scientific reasons why coffee has so many positive effects on the skin. Caffeine is very high in antioxidants and is easily absorbed into the skin. Once coffee grounds are placed on the face, they shrink blood vessels and remove water content, both of which help to deflate eye puffiness. Caffeine's anti-inflammatory properties also lessen the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. Additionally, the grounds reduce redness and tighten the skin, making it look brighter and firmer.
Other Beauty Benefits of Coffee
Reducing eye puffiness is just one of the many uses of coffee. It also works as an exfoliating agent on the skin; just mix some dry grounds with a liquid skin cleanser (the rough grounds scrub away dry skin patches). Add a teaspoon or two of dry grounds to your shampoo -- when you wash your hair, it will help remove build up. You can also rub used coffee grounds to areas where you have cellulite. The caffeine is said to speed up circulation, which will improve the appearance of those pesky bumps.
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Writer Bio
Stacey is a freelance writer and stylist with a focus on fashion, lifestyle, design and pop culture. She has authored two books for Omnibus Press and has covered fashion weeks in New York and London.