When it comes to natural skin care, we believe the most effective ingredients are derived from Mother Nature herself. In this blog post we dive into the benefits of using coffee as a natural exfoliator. We love it so much that we've formulated our very own 100% organic, natural coffee and castor oil face scrub.
Why coffee is such a good natural, organic and transformative exfoliator
When you use coffee as a scrub, you're benefiting from its unique and natural texture.
Coffee grounds are composed of small, slightly coarse particles. These particles have irregular shapes and edges, which are key to their exfoliating action.
The caffeine improves your circulation which can bring toxins up to the surface in a gradual and natural way, and because coffee is packed with antioxidants it protects even sensitive skin from environmental stressors.
Here's a detailed explanation of how this works:
Physical Properties: Coffee grounds are composed of small, slightly coarse particles. These particles have irregular shapes and edges, which are key to their exfoliating action.
Mechanical Action: When you apply coffee grounds to your skin and massage them in circular motions, you're creating friction. This friction is the core of the exfoliation process.
Removal of Dead Skin Cells: The topmost layer of your skin, called the stratum corneum, consists of dead skin cells. Over time, these cells can accumulate, leading to a dull appearance and potentially clogged pores.
Scrubbing Effect: As you massage the coffee grounds on your skin, the particles act like tiny scrubbers. They gently dislodge and lift away these dead skin cells, debris, and excess oil from the surface of your skin.
Stimulation of Blood Flow: The massaging action, combined with the caffeine in coffee, may help stimulate blood circulation in the small blood vessels near the surface of your skin. This increased blood flow can contribute to a healthier, more radiant complexion.
Gentle Yet Effective: Coffee grounds are typically fine enough to provide effective exfoliation without being too harsh on the skin. The particles are usually not sharp or abrasive enough to cause micro-tears in the skin, which can happen with some harsher exfoliants.
Natural Oils: Coffee grounds contain natural oils that can help lubricate the skin during the exfoliation process, potentially reducing irritation.
Customizable Intensity: You can control the intensity of the exfoliation by adjusting the pressure you apply and the duration of the scrubbing.
Revealing Fresh Skin: By removing the layer of dead skin cells, coffee exfoliation can reveal the fresher, newer skin cells underneath, potentially leading to a brighter, more even-toned complexion.
Preparing Skin for Other Products: Exfoliation with coffee can also help prepare your skin to better absorb other skincare products you might apply afterwards, like moisturisers or serums.
Can you use a coffee scrub on sensitive skin?
Yes! Our plant based Coffee & Castor Scrub is perfect for those experiencing skin issues. Instead of using scrubs and exfoliators with harsh ingredients and grains that can be too harsh for the skin and create irritation, our scrub is the gentlest and most natural product to use.
Coffee's pH level is remarkably similar to that of human skin, which means it's less likely to cause irritation compared to other exfoliants which are full of chemicals.
Many chemical exfoliants, particularly those containing alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs), can have much lower pH levels, sometimes as low as 3.0 or 3.5. While these can be effective for exfoliation, they also carry a higher risk of irritation, especially for those with sensitive skin.
Healthy human skin typically has a pH between 4.5 and 6.5, making it slightly acidic. Brewed coffee generally has a pH between 4.85 and 5.10, which falls within the same slightly acidic range as healthy skin.
When you apply a substance to your skin that has a pH level similar to your skin's natural pH, you're less likely to disrupt the skin's delicate barrier and therefore in the long run your skin will benefit from being healthier, at a cellular level.
This means:
Reduced risk of irritation: Your skin doesn't have to work hard to rebalance itself after using coffee as an exfoliant.
Maintenance of skin's natural defences: The acid mantle helps protect against bacteria and other potential irritants.
Preserved moisture: An intact acid mantle helps your skin retain moisture more effectively.
Our Coffee and Castor Oil Face Scrub: Benefits for Your Skin Health
Our unique coffee and castor oil face scrub offers a powerful combination of natural ingredients that work together to benefit your skin in multiple ways. Here's why this blend is particularly effective:
Gentle Exfoliation: Coffee grounds provide natural, mechanical exfoliation. The fine particles help remove dead skin cells and unclog pores without being too harsh on your skin. This process can lead to a smoother, more radiant complexion.
Rich in Antioxidants: Coffee is packed with antioxidants, particularly polyphenols. These compounds help protect your skin from free radical damage, which can contribute to premature aging. The antioxidants in coffee may help maintain your skin's health and youthful appearance.
Improved Circulation: The caffeine in coffee can help stimulate blood flow when applied topically. This increased circulation may contribute to a healthy glow and potentially reduce the appearance of puffiness.
Deep Moisturisation: Castor oil is known for its excellent moisturizing properties. It's rich in ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid that penetrates deeply into the skin, providing long-lasting hydration. This can help keep your skin soft and supple.
Balancing Properties: Castor oil has a unique composition that allows it to cleanse the skin while also moisturising. It can help remove excess oil without stripping the skin, potentially helping to balance oily or combination skin types.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Both coffee and castor oil have potential anti-inflammatory properties. This can be particularly beneficial if you're dealing with skin irritation or redness.
Natural Skincare: By using coffee and castor oil, you're opting for natural ingredients, avoiding harsh chemicals that might irritate your skin. This makes our scrub suitable for a wide range of skin types, including sensitive skin.
Potential Acne-Fighting Properties: The antibacterial properties of castor oil, combined with coffee's ability to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores, may help in managing acne-prone skin.
Complementary pH Levels: Coffee's pH level is close to that of human skin, and castor oil is generally pH neutral. This means the scrub is less likely to disrupt your skin's natural balance.
Nutrient-Rich Formula: Both ingredients are rich in various nutrients beneficial for skin health. Coffee contains vitamins B3 and E, while castor oil is rich in vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids.
At iAMA wellness we only use organic coffee to formulate our unique coffee and castor oil face scrub. As an added bonus, using coffee grounds in your skincare routine is an eco-friendly choice, as they're completely biodegradable.
Our Coffee & Castor Scrub contains no chemicals, additives or fragrances and is actually edible! As we say, if you wouldn't eat it, would you absorb it through your skin?
iAMA is the home of pure gold, pure Castor Oil.
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