When You Put Coffee On Your Skin, This Is What Happens

To many, coffee is a morning mandatory. Whether you prefer it black with no milk, or full to the brim with cream, coffee is a staple in many American households. A cup of Joe is the first thing you reach for when you need some help waking up. But there are other uses for coffee and caffeine beyond drinking it, and in recent years many beauty brands have claimed java can be beneficial for your skin.

Coffee acts as an exfoliant on skin. "In its freshly roasted and ground form, coffee is a great natural exfoliator that buffs away dry, dead skin cells and encourages skin rejuvenation," Erika Geraerts, co-founder of Australian coffee-based skincare line Frank Body, told Teen Vogue. "The grind is coarser than most gel or sugar scrub exfoliants, meaning it will buff away dry and flakey skin," she continued. According to Elle, if you don't have a big budget to buy products, you can simply make your own face or body scrub at home using ground coffee, sugar (or salt), and coconut oil.

But exfoliation isn't the only skin benefit coffee can offer.

Coffee is used in many skincare products to reduce inflammation, and it even has the potential to reduce the appearance of cellulite (via Self). Coffee products may also offer brightening properties, and given coffee's exfoliating powers, the resulting protective barrier can fight off "bacteria, viruses, and fungi," as Julia Hunter, MD, a dermatologist at Wholistic Dermatology, told Prevention. Coffee is also believed to minimize the appearance of dark circles under your eyes. "If you put coffee on the skin's surface, it dehydrates and constricts blood vessels," Hunter explained. "The area under your eyes is a lymphatic channel that drains poorly, and caffeine helps remove water from the system." She continued, "Expect to see results for 30 minutes to an hour."

It's worth noting research is inconclusive as to how effective caffeine-infused products actually are. Still, coffee is an ingredient you should keep an eye out for when investing in body and skincare products. Because who doesn't want a chance at having less inflammation, cellulite, and dark under-eye circles?