“Coffee or tea?” – this is one of most common questions that our friends ask us when we pay them a visit. It appears that coffee and tea are more than just tasty drinks – they also display beautifying properties. They don’t only constitute many store-bought personal care products but also are a base ingredient for D.I.Y. beauty products. What are the benefits of using coffee and tea as cosmetics? Here are my recipes for beauty products containing coffee and tea: face scrub, hair mask, hair wash, steam facial and more.
Coffee: Benefits for skin and hair
Coffee contains caffeine and purines thanks to which this aromatic drink boosts blood flow to the brain and helps you stay focused; it also makes you feel less exhausted. Additionally, coffee has a beneficial effect on skin since it activates microcirculation and improves skin suppleness. What’s more, caffeine takes part in breaking up fat tissue deposits which means that it fosters cellulite reduction. Brown coffee beans are rich in polyphenols, where the most important one among them – chlorogenic acid – is able to neutralize free radicals, protect proteins and lipids and prevents DNA damage, which is caused by UV rays. Beauty products containing caffeine eliminate signs of ageing and restore healthy appearance to skin. To sum up, coffee is an elixir for body and soul.
My recipes for beauty products with coffee
RECIPE: Coffee face and body scrub
Coffee body scrub leaves skin velvety smooth and soft, prevents stretch marks and at the same time warms body up and relaxes it. Naturally, there are plenty of recipes for coffee body scrub. It’s up to us what you use to prepare such cosmetic, what ingredients should be used to enrich our homemade cosmetic with. You can select: cinnamon, ginger, shredded coconut, powdered mint and anise. You can mix the grounds with cream, white sugar, salt, olive oil and fragrance-free gel. I suggest you to give a few recipes a try to find the most suitable one. Personally, I apply coffee body scrub no more than twice a week. I always keep massaging my body for at least five minutes.
RECIPE: Salt & coffee body scrub
I take a bowl where I combine 1 spoon of salt (either fine or coarse), two spoons of freshly ground coffee and a tablespoon of cinnamon. Then I add a fragrance-free shower gel to get the texture I want. Now, I spread the scrub over my body, I pay attention to tights, hips and belly, which are the very body parts where fatty tissue gathers. Sometimes I also use it to help my rough heel skin exfoliate faster. After a few minutes I use warm and cool water interchangeably to rinse the scrub from my body. Next, I follow with a moisturizing and firming body balm. Basically, salt and coffee body scrub helps you to remove dead skin cells, makes your body softer and smooth (NOTE: not all skin types tolerate salt).
RECIPE: Cream & coffee body scrub
I pour boiling water over four spoons of ground coffee (I make the water cover the coffee). I drain it after a few minutes and combine the ground with olive oil. Now I add two teaspoons of thick cream and that’s it. Of course, I massage the scrub into my whole body; from neck to toes. What are the benefits? Cream and coffee body scrub lubricates and moisturizes skin. Actually, you can also expect this scrub to activate microcirculation in skin.
RECIPE: Coffee face mask for fatigued skin
I combine a teaspoon of ground coffee with my favorite face cream. Then, of course, I apply it to face and leave it there for 20 minutes. Next I use a damp cotton pad to remove the residues. The caffeine included in coffee improves skin suppleness, makes it more tight and fresh.
RECIPE: Coffee hair wash for brunettes and all dark-haired women
I pour a half cup of boiling water over two teaspoons of ground coffee. Then I use a coffee filter paper to strain the grounds and mix the brew with a liter of warm water. After washing my hair with a shampoo, I use my coffee hair wash and pour it over my strands. This coffee hair wash nourishes strands and leaves them shiny. The caffeine in turn improves microcirculation which results in faster hair growth and combated problem of hair loss.
Tea: Benefits for skin and hair
Tea is a reach source of tannins which means that beauty products containing tea play the role of antioxidants and protect skin against ageing. When it comes to caffeine that tea also contains, it gets the blood going faster and makes sure that every cell is supplied with adequate amount of oxygen. Tea also contains vitamins C, B and PP that affect skin tone positively and nourish it.
My recipes for beauty products with tea
RECIPE: Tea hair wash for brunettes
Tea hair wash freshens up and intensifies the dark color of hair. I haven’t used it but my dark-haired friends said that they were satisfied with the results. If you want to prepare such hair wash, pour a cup of boiling water over four teaspoons of black tea. Then, let the brew cool down and then use a strainer to remove the leaves. Use the brew to pour it over freshly washed hair.
RECIPE: Tea steam facial for enlarged skin pores
Tea steam facial is especially recommended to deal with enlarged skin pores and acne-prone skin. In order to prepare it, I use a bowl and put there two teaspoons of green tea. Then, I cover them with water having approx. 60-70 degrees Celsius. Then, I put a towel on my head and place my face above the bowl. I sit like this for 10-15 minutes. This should work if you want your skin to become noticeably smoother and lighter.
RECIPE: Tea dressing to deal with irritations
Tea dressing is a remedy for reddened and irritated skin. It works like an astringent and face toner. When I want to treat my skin with tea dressing, I brew two teaspoons of black tea and soak a towel in it. Then I put the damp towel on my face.
RECIPE: Tea dressing for prickly and gritty eyes
I use a strong brew of black tea and dunk two pieces of gauze (you can get them in a pharmacy). I put them on my eyes and let them sit for 10-15 minutes. Trust me, tea dressings make a perfect way to deal with prickly, reddened and puffy eyes.
Do you use coffee and tea cosmetics? Do you buy such beauty products or do you do them on your own. If you do some D.I.Y. tea and coffee products, please share the recipes below.
