Benefits of Coffee for Skin: 40 Easy DIY Hacks, Masks & Scrubs

by: Linda Robison / Facial Fitness Specialist

The benefits of coffee for skin care? Where do I start?

I love coffee—not just for the taste and energy boost, but for what it does for my skin.

Over the years I’ve tried many coffee scrubs and masks, and it’s easy to see why this ingredient has become such a skincare favorite. It can:

• Exfoliate and smooth rough skin
• Brighten a dull complexion
• Reduce puffiness and inflammation
• Boost circulation for a healthy glow
• Provide antioxidant protection
• Balance oily skin and unclog pores
• Support firmer, more youthful-looking skin

Below, you’ll find 40 coffee-based scrubs and masks—simple DIY recipes that let you enjoy these benefits right at home.

In this fun article, I’ll share 40 easy coffee scrubs and masks you can make in minutes.

From light, fruity facials perfect for spring and summer to cozy pumpkin spice twists that shine in fall and winter, these recipes are designed to refresh, brighten, and smooth every skin type.

And you can easily mix these into your favorite sugar scrub facials too!

The Basics of Our DIY Face Scrub Recipes

1. Each recipe combines coffee grounds with various natural ingredients to provide specific benefits.
2. You can use fresh ground coffee (which is better due to a higher level of caffeine) or used coffee grounds. Just make sure they're not hot.
3. The directions on how to use the masks are at the end.

DIY Coffee Face Masks and Scrubs for Every Skin Type

Scrub/masks are listed by complexion types like dry, irritated, oily skin, even bumpy chicken skin, etc... 

Explore and enjoy!

Exfoliating Coffee Scrubs

Exfoliating with coffee, these natural DIY scrubs help exfoliate, brighten, and smooth your skin, and here's a list of the various ingredients you can use in a coffee scrub recipe.

1. Basic Coconut Oil

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 1 tbsp coconut oil.
• Benefits: Exfoliates dead skin cells, moisturizes, and improves circulation.

2. Brown Sugar Mix

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp olive oil.
• Benefits: Exfoliates, smooths, and moisturizes.

3. Sea Salt Scrub

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 1 tbsp sea salt, 1 tbsp olive oil.
• Benefits: Exfoliates, detoxifies, and smooths.

4. Oatmeal Coffee Scrub

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 1 tbsp finely ground oatmeal, 1 tbsp honey.
• Benefits: Exfoliates gently, soothes, and reduces irritation.

5. Cinnamon Coffee Facial

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tbsp coconut oil.
• Benefits: Stimulates circulation, exfoliates, and reduces acne.

6. Orange Peel Polish

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 1 tbsp dried orange peel powder, 1 tbsp yogurt.
• Benefits: Brightens, exfoliates, and provides vitamin C.

7. Baking Soda Buff

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 1 tbsp baking soda, 1 tbsp water.
• Benefits: Exfoliates, reduces blackheads, and balances pH.

8. Cranberry Coffee Cleanser

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 2 tbsp cranberry purée.
• Benefits: Provides antioxidants, brightens, and exfoliates.

9. Kiwi Balm

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 2 tbsp mashed kiwi.
• Benefits: Exfoliates, brightens, and provides vitamin C.

10. Strawberry Buff

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 2 mashed strawberries. 
• Benefits: Exfoliates, brightens, and provides antioxidants.

Hydrating Masks

One of the benefits of coffee for skin issues is that they can be used as both a scrub and a mask. Just leave on for a few minutes before massaging and rinsing.

1. Honey & Coffee

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 1 tbsp honey.
• Benefits: Hydrates, has antibacterial properties, and promotes a healthy glow.

2. Yogurt Facial

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 2 tbsp plain full fat yogurt.
• Benefits: Gently exfoliates, soothes, and brightens the skin.

3. Coconut Milk Quencher

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 1 tbsp coconut milk.
• Benefits: Hydrates deeply, reduces redness, and improves skin texture.

4. Olive Oil Bean Buff

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 1 tbsp olive oil.
• Benefits: Moisturizes, provides antioxidants, and softens the skin.

5. Shea Butter Balm

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 1 tbsp melted shea butter.
• Benefits: Deeply moisturizes, soothes, and softens.

6. Avocado Mash

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 1/2 ripe avocado (mashed).
• Benefits: Deeply nourishes, hydrates, and soothes.

7. Almond Oil Exfoliant

• Ingredients**: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 1 tbsp almond oil.
• Benefits: Moisturizes, nourishes, and softens.

8. Peach Polish

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 2 tbsp mashed peach purée.
• Benefits: Hydrates, provides vitamins, and softens.

Oily Skin

1. Lemon Infusion Polish

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 1 tbsp lemon juice.
• Benefits: Brightens, evens out skin tone, and reduces oiliness.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar Buff

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp honey.
• Benefits: Balances pH, reduces acne, and exfoliates.

3. Grapeseed Oil Treatment

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 1 tbsp grapeseed oil.
• Benefits: Lightly moisturizes, balances oil, and provides antioxidants.

4. Tomato Masque

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 2 tbsp tomato purée.
• Benefits: Brightens, reduces oiliness, and provides antioxidants.

Sensitive Complexion

Note: Prior to use, always do a patch test. And, those with increased sensitivity, consider using these facial scrubs as masks instead of massaging them onto your face to minimize the risk of irritation.

1. Aloe Vera Smooth

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 2 tbsp aloe vera gel.
• Benefits: Soothes, hydrates, and reduces inflammation.

2. Rosewater Elixir

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 1 tbsp rosewater.
• Benefits: Hydrates, soothes, and tones.

3. Chamomile Tea Treatment

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 1 tbsp brewed chamomile tea (cooled).
• Benefits: Soothes, reduces inflammation, and calms the skin.

4. Cucumber Cooler

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 2 tbsp cucumber purée.
• Benefits: Soothes, hydrates, and reduces puffiness.

Dry Complexion

1. Cocoa Powder Mix

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 1 tbsp cocoa powder, 1 tbsp coconut oil.
• Benefits: Moisturizes and improves skin texture.

2. Banana Mash

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 1 ripe banana (mashed).
• Benefits: Provides vitamins, and leave skin soft.

3. Milk Coffee Scrub

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 2 tbsp milk.
• Benefits: Exfoliates gently, hydrates, and brightens.

4. Buttermilk Mask

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 2 tbsp buttermilk.
• Benefits: Exfoliates, brightens, and soothes.

5. Vitamin E Glow

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp fresh grounds, 1 tbsp coconut oil, 1 vitamin E capsule (pierced and squeezed).
• Benefits: Antioxidant-rich, moisturizes, and heals.

Anti-Aging, Anti-Wrinkle

1. Pumpkin Spice Coffee Scrub (with Turmeric Option)

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 1 tbsp pumpkin mashed, 1/2 tsp turmeric (optional)
• Benefits: Vitamin-rich pumpkin and turmeric work together with coffee to brighten, exfoliate, and fight dullness.

Note: After long hot summer my tired skin needs a great PickMeUp. I personally find the pumpkin spice twist especially invigorating.

You’ll also find more about how pumpkin, pineapple, and other enzyme-rich foods boost your skin in my enzyme mask page. And if you’re curious about the amazing turmeric’s skin benefits, check out my turmeric scrub page.

2. Carrot Cleanse Facial

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp fresh ground, 2 tbsp carrot mash*.
• Benefits: Rich in vitamins, soothes, and improves skin tone.

*ABZ TIP: To make the carrot mash, peel, cook, and mash one carrot. Make sure it's cooled before using. Pumkin meat from the can is also a quick, convenient option.

3. Green Tea Soothe

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 1 tbsp brewed green tea (cooled).
• Benefits: Antioxidant-rich, soothes, and reduces redness.

4. Turmeric Coffee Scrub

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tbsp yogurt.
• Benefits: Brightens, reduces inflammation, and evens skin tone.

5. Lavender Coffee Blend

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 1 tsp lavender oil, 1 tbsp olive oil.
• Benefits: Calms, soothes, and moisturizes.

Enlarged Pores

1. Mint Coffee Cocktail

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 1 tbsp fresh mint leaves (chopped), 1 tbsp yogurt.
• Benefits: Refreshes, soothes, and reduces acne.

2. Papaya Blend

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 2 tbsp papaya purée.
• Benefits: Exfoliates, brightens, and provides vitamins.

Inflamed and Irritated

1. Aloe & Honey Paste

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 1 tbsp aloe vera gel, 1 tbsp honey.
• Benefits: Soothes, hydrates, and has antibacterial properties.

2. Chamomile Tea Coffee Scrub

• Ingredients: 2 tbsp coffee grounds, 1 tbsp brewed chamomile tea (cooled).
• Benefits: Soothes, reduces inflammation, and calms the skin.

Benefits of Coffee for Skin Care: Tips & How-To's

How to Use Coffee Scrubs for Skin Benefits:

Quick ABZ Tip: Always do a patch test first to avoid irritation. If you have allergies or specific skin concerns, check with a specialist before diving in.

Explore and enjoy!

Don't forget to explore exotic Korean face scrubs, skin polishing sugar scrubs and skin tightening turmeric face masks.

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