Fair skin is a beauty goal that many women and men aspire to have. Sometimes the target is brightening the complexion just a few shades, while at other times it’s regaining the original color after long exposure under the sun. Skin whitening also includes localized bleaching of specific spots or areas. For example, having a dark halo around the eyes is something we all like to reverse. The same goes for the small spots that become much darker after spending sometime in the sun, or with hormonal changes. But can you use coffee for skin whitening?
You can definitely use coffee for skin whitening! We recommend making a coffee grounds scrub mask to exfoliate and whiten your skin. You can also combine traditional whitening products with coffee grounds to amplify their effectiveness.
If you were considering using coffee for skin whitening then keep reading. In this article, we’ll explore further whether or not this method actually works. We’ll also cover how to get the best possible results with coffee ground masks
Is Skin Whitening a New Fad? Or a Historic Beauty Trend?
Using chemicals to whiten the skin is a historic practice that’s been going on for centuries. Warriors in ancient Asia were known to paint their faces a stark white, which seemed to add ferocity to their appearance.
In Latin America, North America, Africa, and India, fairer skin was constantly a coveted physical trait. It was even perceived as a sign of elevated status, higher intelligence, and better manners. This of course wasn’t real, but impressions are hard to reason with.
And up to this day, billions of dollars are invested in the skin whitening cosmetics industry. There are consistent campaigns in the other direction celebrating all shades of skin tones, but it seems to be in need of more steam.
Unfortunately, the results of using chemicals for attaining fairer skin aren’t always encouraging. The consistent use of substances containing mercury, lead, or steroids had dire effects on people’s health.
That’s why many beauty seekers turned to natural substances and these of course our magical beverage: coffee.
Can Dark Skin become Fairer?
Author Note: The pigmentation of the skin comes primarily from its content of melanin cells. It’s an evolutionary process that had started millions of years ago, and then became coded in people’s DNA.
This pigmentation is known to be tied up to geographic origins. And the closer people are from the equator, the darker their skins would be.
There are several natural and biological consequences to having dark or fair skin, and it’s actually demonstrable that skin tones work perfectly in corresponding geographic locations. For example, dark-skinned people aren’t too bothered by the sun, whereas a caucasian would be tortured after a few days by the beach.
Hyperpigmentation is a different matter from naturally dark skin. It’s actually considered a dermatological issue that can be resolved by using medication or by applying natural substances.
It’s worth noting that originally dark skin might be harder to bleach than skin that has become tanned through sun exposure. There are a few tried and true approaches that people use to get fairer skin. Here are some interesting methods that limit, stop, or decrease melanin.
- Use creams containing glycolic acid, kojic acid, or alpha hydroxy acids. These are known to reduce melanin. Usage should be stopped in case of skin irritation.
- Exfoliation of the uppermost dark skin layers
- Using Laser to burn the skin cells and encourage the growth of new ones
- Consistent application of Vitamin C reduces hyperpigmentation
- Using prescribed retinoids to exfoliate the skin
- Getting a chemical peel at a dermatologist’s clinic
- Adopting a healthy lifestyle helps to rejuvenate the skin
Why Is Coffee Used in Skincare?
Coffee is known for its effect as a stimulant and mood beverage. However, the immediate boost it gives a tired human being, made several people curious about its topical effects. Interestingly, the benefits of coffee in skincare are quite evident.
Coffee is rich in antioxidants, which are essential compounds that fight off the damaging effects of pollutants, toxins, and aging. It’s also a stimulant for the circulation of the skin, and hence, the healthy production of younger cells.
There might still be a need for further research, but here are some of the ways you can use coffee to get better fairer skin.
The Best Ways to Use Coffee for Skin Whitening
If you’re one of the folks who can’t imagine starting the day without a strong cup of coffee, then you should read the next section carefully. And wait, don’t throw away the coffee grounds!
Tip #1: Scrub Your Complexion With Coffee Grounds
Fair Skin Is Clean Skin.
Caffeic acid is among the cleaning agents in coffee grounds. It has antimicrobial properties that can be used effectively while using coffee grounds as a scrub.
You can use the grounds alone, or make a richer mixture by adding a few drops of lemon juice and a tablespoon of brown sugar. A weekly scrub using this mixture unclogs the pores, removes dead cells, and leaves the skin glowing and radiant.
Tip #2: Use Coffee Grounds With Other Whitening Substances
Coffee grounds are believed to have a mild effect on melanin cells. However, this might not achieve the result you’re hoping for, or at the rate, you’re expecting. That’s why it’s wise to include other substances known to have a bleaching effect.
Milk and Coffee Grounds
Add powdered milk to the coffee grounds for the combined effect of bleaching and stimulating the skin circulation. Milk contains a mild organic substance that inhibits the production of melanin. It’s believed to be safe for most types of skin, but as always try this mask on a tiny part first.
Aloe, Coconut, Sugar, and Coffee
Author Note: A mixture of coffee grounds, aloe vera, coconut oil, and sugar is also believed to work wonders on the skin. It’s claimed to have a soothing, rejuvenating, energizing, and nourishing effect on all types of complexions.
Rice Flour and Coffee
If these ingredients are too difficult to procure, or a bit more sticky than you’d like, you can move on to rice flour. The mixture of coffee grounds and rice flour is then turned into a paste by adding warm water. Then, this creamy mask is applied to the face for around 15 minutes.
Honey and Coffee
Finally, a simple combination of coarse coffee grounds and honey also makes for a quick and easy face mask. It’s among the simplest methods to exfoliate the epidermis and stimulate new skin growth.
Tip #3: Reduce the Effects of a Suntan With Coffee and Lemon
If you’ve been out in the sun for too long, then your tan might be a tad deeper than what you were going for. In this case, coffee and lemon might be the perfect solution. Vitamin C is among the most effective color-lightening agents we know.
When it’s used together with coffee grounds, the acidic nature of lemon exfoliates the outer layer of the skin. In addition, the coffee energizes and rejuvenates the cells.
This mask needs consistent application once or twice a week. Then, in less than a month, you should notice satisfying outcomes.
Tip #4: Neutralize the Effects of Sun Exposure With a Coffee Brew
The polyphenols in coffee are powerful antioxidants that defend the skin from the harmful effects of UV rays.
Excessive exposure to the sun is also known to speed up aging on a cellular level. The caffeine and other stimulants in the coffee also help in reducing these signs of damage.
It’s worth noting that after extended exposure to the harsh sun, the skin is often raw and red. A scrub or paste is hardly the right substance to apply to an irritated complexion. That’s why coffee brew is the better option.
The brew is still as effective as the grounds, but it would be much easier on the skin. And of course, it would be applied when it has completely cooled off.
Tip #5: Try Olive Oil and Coffee to Get Rid of Dark Circles
Whitening skin is especially important for people who have dark circles around their eyes. Sometimes, the whole stick of concealer fails to hide the greyish marks of tiredness under the eyes.
A mixture of equal amounts of olive oil and coffee grounds is an effective way to approach this problem. Add a few drops of warm water to turn this mixture into a thin paste. Massage it gently to the area around the eyes, making sure to keep all of it away from the eyes.
Author Note: Also, be very gentle while applying the paste. It’s not a scrub, just a paste that encourages the skin to become better. The skin in this area is already very thin and soft, so no need for vigorous action.
Leave the olive oil and coffee mix for around ten minutes, then wipe if off carefully with a wet cloth. You might need to apply this mask a few times before seeing the effects. Natural masks often work slowly, but they’re safer and the results are more sustainable.
In Conclusion
There are thousands of antioxidants in roasted coffee. That’s why, it would be wise to save the coffee grounds, or even a cold brew, and get their full benefits on our skin.
If you’re after brightening or whitening your skin a shade or two, you can follow some of the mask recipes given throughout this article. The ones that scrub, clean, and exfoliate the skin are also essentials for a radiant complexion.
Coffee was also found to reduce photoaging and hyperpigmentation when the skin is exposed excessively to the sun. A simple brew could do wonders in reversing the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays.
Isn’t it such pleasant news to know that the beverage we like so much, can also give a boost to our skin!
Stay caffeinated friends!