7 Beauty Uses for Coffee Grounds

Savor your morning cuppa, then salvage the coffee grounds to give your beauty routine a java jolt.

By Deirdre Uria, Reader's Digest

Boost hair color

Elevate the richness of your brunette hair color without the use of chemicals by crafting a simple coffee grounds conditioning treatment. Mix one teaspoon (or two, depending on the thickness and length of your hair) of cooled coffee grounds into a handful of conditioner and apply it to your recently shampooed hair. Let it sit for no more than five minutes, and then rinse thoroughly with cool water to seal the hair cuticle. The temporary stain is not recommended on lighter hair colors. Here are other cool household uses for coffee grounds.

Add shine to hair and stimulate growth

Cleansing your locks is the best way to remove hair product buildup, but semimonthly you should indulge your scalp with a deep clean as well. Make your own follicle facial by working brewed coffee grounds into your scalp with your fingertips for 60 seconds, rinsing with cool water, and finishing with your typical shampoo and conditioner routine. Over time, and with continued use, you’ll find that your locks are shinier, and, according to 2014 British Journal of Dermatology study, you may notice increased hair growth thanks to the stimulating effects of caffeine. Consider trying one of these natural hair masks too.

Soften lips

At the first sign of chapped lips—and before applying matte lipsticks and glosses—mix ½ teaspoon used coffee grounds with ½ teaspoon honey to create a smooth, yet effective lip scrub. Gently rub the mixture on your lips in a circular motion for 30 seconds, then remove with a wet washcloth. Following the at-home lip fix, apply an emollient balm to protect and nourish your pucker.

Fragrance shopping? Sharpen your sense of smell

Spraying and sniffing several fragrances on your quest to find a signature scent can result in an inability to differentiate particular odors, also known as nasal fatigue. In a classic UC Berkeley study, neuroscientist Noam Sobel determined that smelling coffee to cleanse your olfactory palate, as opposed to simply smelling the air, results in a more intense odor experience from [fragrance] sample to sample. On your next visit to the fragrance counter, bring a travel mug with coffee grounds and sniff to “reset” your sense of smell between spritzing samples.

Treat under-eye puffiness

Under-eye dark circles and puffiness—caused by genetics, allergies, fluid retention, and/or lack of sleep—are a common beauty complaint. To remedy the baggage, apply chilled coffee grounds to your under-eye area, let sit for 10 minutes, and rinse well. The anti-inflammatory properties in caffeine magically constrict the blood vessels, resulting in a reduction of under-eye swelling.

Brighten skin

Remove toxins and deep clean pores with just two ingredients—antioxidant-rich coffee grounds and fatty-acid rich olive oil—to rejuvenate healthy, glowing skin. Marry two tablespoons of olive oil with two tablespoons of repurposed coffee grounds and gently massage the blend onto your facial skin, avoiding the eye area. Wait 30 seconds and then remove with a wet washcloth, making sure to pat remaining olive oil into the skin to impart moisture. Or try one of these other soothing homemade facial masks.

Reduce the appearance of cellulite

Target visible cellulite before slipping into your swimsuits and sundresses with an exfoliating scrub. Create a thick paste by mixing equal parts coffee grounds and coconut oil into your hand, and kneading it into cellulite-prone areas like the thighs and hips. The caffeine in the coffee grounds will dehydrate the skin and the circular motion used to apply the paste will stimulate blood flow, which may result in the appearance of firmer, less dimpled skin. Next, find out the 12 ways you never knew you could use nail polish remover.

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