With all of the coffee we drink, it might be a good time to find a good use for the rest of the grounds. Here are just a few ways to use coffee and used grounds for more ways instead of just drinking.
Coffee Scrub (Skin & Lips)
While it’s easy to notice the dry skin on our bodies, sometimes we forget that our lips are skin too. When cold or dry weather hits, our lips are entirely exposed and easily become chapped and rough. Fortunately, we can take care of our lips and skin with a homemade lip or skin scrub each made with just simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen!
Lip Scrub Supplies
- 2 Tbsp used VitaCup grounds
- 1/4 Tbsp coconut oil
- 1-2 drops peppermint essential oil
- container for finished scrub
Lip Scrub Instructions
Measure two tablespoons of used coffee grounds in a small bowl. Add the coconut oil and using a spoon, mash the oil and coffee grounds together to form a paste. Add 1-2 drops of peppermint oil in and mix well. Makes approximately one ounce.
Read our Coffee Body Scrub recipe for step-by-step instructions for a luxurious DIY full body scrub!
We all love coffee so why not use coffee to rejuvenate your skin inside and out and help combat the cellulite that even supermodels have.
Coffee as a Temporary Hair Color
If you want to darken your locks with a natural alternative, a strong cup of coffee can do the trick. It only lasts a few days and takes longer to build up in intensity, but it's worth it if you can avoid all the chemicals. Using VitaCup’s Beauty Blend while doing this will add some Collagen, Biotin, and Folic Acid to your hair.
Coffee Temporary Hair Coloring Instructions
Brew 1 1/2 cups of ground coffee with 3 cups water in your coffee pot or French press will produce a about three times stronger than a regular cup of coffee. Cool the brew completely then place the coffee in a large bowl.
Wash your hair with your regular shampoo to remove any buildup or debris and then comb through your hair to remove tangles for the more even application. Dip your damp hair into the coffee and use a small cup to pour it over the back of your head and any hard-to-reach places. Take your time to ensure the color coats every strand—keep pouring the coffee over your hair for a few minutes, and comb through any thick areas with your fingers. Let the coffee rinse sit in your hair for 20 minutes to an hour and then rinse out with apple cider vinegar for a natural cleanser that helps seal in color as regular shampoo may strip the color. This process can be repeated for a few consecutive days to build up the intensity and allow the coffee to penetrate the strands more effectively.
Coffee to Soothe Dark Circles and Puffy Eyes
Erase late nights and tired eyes by adding a dose of coffee to your morning skincare routine. While you’re sipping away on a cup of Coffee, you can also use coffee to attack dark circles and fine lines with this homemade mask for puffy eyes.
Coffee Eye Treatment Ingredients
- One egg white
- Two teaspoons coffee grounds (Unused grounds are best because they contain the most caffeine but used grounds are fine if the coffee has just been made.)
Coffee Eye Treatment Instructions
Combine the egg white and coffee in a small bowl. Beat mixture together with a fork until frothy, about 1 minute. With clean hands or a brush, apply the mask around and under the eyes. Avoid the eyelids because you don’t want to get it in your eyes. You can use the mask on your entire face if desired.
Let the mask dry for 10 minutes. You will feel the mask tightening your skin! If it gets uncomfortable, go ahead and remove it before the 10 minutes are up. Use a soft, wet towel to clean off the mask gently. Finish with moisturizer. Discard any unused mask.
Coffee Hair Scrub
Coffee can be used as scalps exfoliate, a hair scrub and a hair rinse with each helping by stimulating hair growth. The exfoliate properties help to remove dead skin cells, dirt, dandruff, oil and even product build-up which can clog your scalps pores.
Coffee Hair Scrub Ingredients
- 2 tsp. of coffee grounds
- Two tsp. raw honey
- Two tsp. of olive oil
Coffee Hair Scrub Instructions
This DIY recipe is excellent for reviving dry, dull hair. Mix all three ingredients well and apply to strands and scalp. Make sure all strands are covered and massage into the scalp in a circular motion for a few minutes. Rinse thoroughly and shampoo before styling as usual.
Coffee for Fighting Odor
Like to cook with garlic or onions? Coffee can be used to remove the scent of whatever you’ve been cooking with! Scrub your hand with some ground coffee. Rinse off coffee when you’re done and be amazed
Similarly, smelly shoes can be cleaned by tying coffee grounds in a sock and leaving them in a pair of shoes overnight.
This one probably comes as no surprise, but you can leave an open glass or jar of ground coffee in your fridge to eliminate smells the same way you’d leave a box of baking soda in there.
So what do you think? Have you tried any of these before? What is your favorite way to use coffee, besides drinking it?