Skin

Are you a coffee lover like me? Do you know that coffee is not only used as a beverage but also exhibit certain hair and skin benefits? Surprising, isn’t it?

Yes, coffee is an amazing ingredient that has natural antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and exfoliating properties which slough away dead skin cells, improves blood circulation and tightens the skin. This makes it as a perfect beauty regimen.

Wondering why you need to be incorporating coffee in our regular beauty routine? Then here are the best reasons, have a look at them.

• When caffeine is taken in enema form then it detoxifies your liver and reduces non – alcohol related fatty liver diseases.
• It has a high presence of disease-fighting antioxidants that fight against the aging, diabetes, sharpens your brain, protects your cardiovascular health, etc.
• It decreases appetite that in turn helps to reduce weight loss. It also reduces the risk of mouth, skin and throat cancer.
• Regular intake of caffeine will increase the attention, memory, learning, and concentration.
• It also fights against the attack of free radicals, soothes your inflammations, redness and thus makes your skin glow with an even skin tone.
• It dehydrates the fatty cells that remove the water from your skin’s surface to eliminate the cellulite.
• It stimulates the hair follicles and prevents hair loss or baldness by blocking the DHT (damaging your hair follicles). It not only strengthens your hair shaft but also adds a natural shine to your hair.

In cosmetic industry, coffee is used as an essential ingredient in many beauty products to enhance one’s beauty, but do you know that we can make some DIY coffee recipes at home to grab those benefits?

Let us know how to prepare these homemade DIY coffee recipes (with natural ingredients) for your face, body, and hair.

Recipe – 1: (Coffee Face Mask for Skin Brightening)

Coffee exfoliates the skin to remove oil, dust and dead cells. Yogurt has lactic acid that revitalizes skin and thus gives smooth and shiny skin. Honey nourishes your skin, tightens the skin pores and hydrates the skin. Repeat all these face masks regularly for best and effective results.

Here are few ways of using Coffee Face Mask for Healthy Skin.

• With Yogurt & Honey – Mix 2 tablespoons each of organic coffee grounds, honey, and yogurt in a bowl. Stir well and apply it as a face mask on all over your face. Leave it on for about 30 – 45 minutes and rinse off with water. Regular follow – up of this process will help to make your skin tight and soft with a natural glow.
• With Honey – Stir 1 tablespoon each of raw honey and coffee powder in a bowl and apply it on the face as a mask. Massage gently for few minutes and rinse off with water after 20 minutes.
• With Oatmeal – Grind some coffee, oatmeal, and yogurt into a fine paste. Apply it on the face and neck. Wash off with warm water after 30 – 45 minutes.
• With Cocoa – Mix equal quantities of coffee grounds and cocoa powder with a little milk (or yogurt). Apply it on the face and wash with water after 30 – 45 minutes.
• With Olive Oil – Mix 1 tablespoon each of olive oil (tighten and brighten the skin) and coffee powder to make a paste. Apply it on the face and neck and rinse after 5 minutes with water.
• With Lemon Juice – Mix enough lemon juice in 1 tablespoon of coffee powder to make a paste. Apply it on the face and neck and rinse with water after it dries.

Note: Or you can prepare a coffee mask by preparing coffee grounds with egg yolk and lemon juice.

Recipe – 2: (Coffee for Hair Growth)

Coffee helps to soften your hair and adds natural shine to the hair when applied as a hair mask.

• Mix 2 tablespoons of olive oil in 1 tablespoon of organic coffee powder to make it as a mask.
• Apply this mix on your hair and scalp thoroughly.
• Rinse off with water after 15 – 30 minutes to get shiny hair.
• Repeat the same process regularly to prevent hair loss.

Note: Also, use coffee as your hair rinse to make your hair soft and silky. Just brew 2 – 4 cups of strong coffee and let it cool for few minutes. Use this as a rinse after using your shampoo and conditioner. Wash your hair after few minutes to get rid of hair problems.

Recipe – 3: (Coffee for Face and Body Scrub)

The coffee grounds repairs and rejuvenate your skin from the damage caused due to pollution and sun damage. Sugar exfoliates the skin to remove dead cells or oil and olive oil moisturize your skin to make it smooth and shiny.

• Mix equal quantities of coffee grounds and sugar (or sea salt) in a bowl.
• Stir well by adding few drops of olive oil to make it as a scrub paste.
• Apply it on your face and scrub it gently for few minutes.
• Use this homemade coffee scrub regularly to get rid of the dead cell, excess oil and cellulite.

Recipe – 4: (Coffee Oil for Face, Hair and Body)

Massage with coffee oil will help you to get rid of cellulite and varicose veins. It also moisturizes your skin, prevents the signs of aging and relieves you from the respiratory problems, stress, and depression (used as aromatherapy).

Click here to know more about Homemade Coffee Oil.

Recipe – 5: (Coffee as Hair Color)

Coffee is a natural color enhancer that will enhance your dark hair without causing any side effects like harsh dye chemicals.

• Brew 1/2 cup of organic coffee and keep it aside to cool down.
• Then mix 1 tablespoon of organic instant coffee in 1 cup of hair conditioner.
• Now stir the brewed coffee to this mix and apply this on your hair as a mask.
• Cover your hair with a shower cap and rinse off with shampoo after an hour or two.

Note: Also, mix cocoa powder to this dye before using to get even darker shade (or) simply pour a strongly brewed coffee on your hair and rinse off after few minutes.

Recipe – 6: (Coffee for Dark Circles)

Caffeine in coffee helps to shrink the blood vessels to reduce the dark circles. It also tightens the skin, soothes your skin, reduces the free radicals and thus relieves puffy eyes. Aloe vera has vitamin E that soothes your skin.

• Brew 1 cup of coffee and scoop out the coffee grounds and place it in a bowl.
• Freeze these coffee grounds for few hours and then mix 1 tablespoon of fresh aloe vera gel in it.
• Apply this on the dark circles affected eye areas and rinse off after 15 minutes.
• Do the same process regularly till you get relief from dark circles.

Recipe – 7: (Coffee Lip Scrub for Smooth Lips)

Coffee exfoliates the skin and removes dry and dead cells on the lips. Honey will nourish and moisturize the lips.

• Add 1/2 teaspoon each of used coffee grounds and raw honey in a bowl.
• Stir well and apply this scrub on your lips.
• Gently rub the lips in a circular motion for about 30 seconds and then remove it with a wet washcloth.
• Repeat the same regularly to get relief from the dark, dry or chapped lips.

Note: Or use olive oil instead of raw honey for preparing lip scrub.

Recipe – 8: (Coffee as your Scalp Scrub)

Scrubbing your scalp is as essential as your face and body to remove the buildup and clear dead cells on the scalp. This will help the hair follicles to grow strong and shiny.

• Mix some coffee grounds into your favorite deep condition to make it as a mask.
• Apply it on all over the scalp and massage gently for 5 – 10 minutes.
• Then rinse off using a regular shampoo and continue doing it once a week to get rid of hair problems.

Recipe – 9: (Foot Scrub)

The combination of coconut oil and ground coffee will lock the moisture levels, removes dirt and dead cells and repairs your feet to get relief from the problem.

• Mix 1/2 cup of ground coffee and 1 – 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract in 1 cup of virgin coconut oil.
• Stir well and soak your clean feet in a tub of warm soapy water for 10 – 15 minutes.
• Then apply this scrub paste onto your feet and scrub it gently in a circular motion.
• This process will exfoliate the dead skin and finally rinse off your feet in warm water.
• Dry your feet and repeat the same process regularly to get rid of feet problems.

Tips and Precautions:

1. Over consumption of caffeine (500 – 600 mg) per day will make you suffer from some health problems like nausea, headaches, nervousness, insomnia, GERD, migraines, elevated heartbeat, etc. It’s advised to avoid drinking coffee at night time, as it disturbs the sleep.
2. It has diuretic nature that makes you feel dehydrated. So, drink more of water and other healthy fluids to get rid of the problem.
3. Regular consumption will make you get addicted to it and you will get fatigue, anxiety, headaches and reduced alertness when you stopped taking it suddenly.
4. It helps to reset your olfactory nerves by preventing the nose fatigue and makes you differentiate the smells of perfumes or other odors.
5. Also, mix 1/2 teaspoon of organic coffee powder to 4 tablespoons of a natural shampoo and apply it as your coffee shampoo to wet hair and rinse off after 2 – 4 minutes.
6. Pour strongly brewed black coffee in an empty spray bottle and use it to spray as hair spray after shampooing your hair, massage gently and rinse off with cold water after 10 – 15 minutes to get glossy hair.

Do follow these coffee recipes in your beauty routine. Do you know any other coffee recipes used in your daily routine? Then let us know by sharing your experience with us.

Facial mist is one among the skin care regimen, especially in summer. Using a good facial mist will provide a refreshing, soothing and cooling effect on the skin which in turn delivers various skin benefits like it relieves your tiredness, sweat, irritation caused due to sun’s rays or pollution.

It not only soothes your skin but also makes it glow with an even tone. Although the market is filled with a number of commercial mists, the only thing is that they contain synthetic fragrances, alcohol, and other harsh ingredients which might cause irritation, itching, and dryness on the skin.

Hence the best way is to use a homemade natural facial mist/toner on your face. The possibilities of ingredients are endless that range from essential oils to coconut water, fruit or plant extracts, rose water and so on.

Here in this article, we are going to know how to make a simple, cooling and refreshing mist with an amazing ingredient called Cucumber. Let’s have a look on some of the cooling facial mist/toners using cucumber.

Before starting the preparation, let’s know some cucumber benefits on the skin.

• Cucumber soothes the sunburned skin and hydrates your skin to prevent dryness by regulating the sebum production.
• It builds collagen levels which in turn prevents the signs of aging like sagging, wrinkles and fine lines.
• It is enriched with vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin K, pantothenic acid, silica and vitamin A (retinol) that controls melanin and enhance your natural beauty.
• It soothes the skin which in turn helps to reduce the redness, swelling, irritation, breakouts, and pain on the skin.
• It restores your moisture and softens your skin by providing a cooling and refreshing effect, as it acts as an exceptional skin-calmer.
• It has antioxidant properties that prevent the attack of free radicals on the skin.

Let’s get started the DIY ways of preparing cucumber cooling facial mists.

Mist – 1: (Cucumber with Lemon, Aloe Vera and Rosewater)

Lemon has a natural exfoliating property that clears excess oil and rejuvenates your skin to make it soft, fresh and smooth. Aloe vera improves blood circulation, soothes your skin and enhances its elasticity.

Rose water has an astringent property that removes excess oil and balances your skin’s pH levels. This mist will hydrate and rejuvenate your skin to make it smooth, soft and glowing.

• Peel and slice a cucumber and pour it in a blender.
• Blend it for a couple of minutes and pour its pulp into cheesecloth or a strainer.
• Squeeze it to extract its juice into a bowl and then add fresh lemon juice from 1/2 a lemon, 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel and 1 tablespoon of rosewater in it.
• Stir well and pour this mix into a plastic spray bottle.
• Store it in the refrigerator for a week and spray this homemade mist on your face to get a cool soothing and refreshing feel.
• Continue the use of this mist for up to 3 times a day on regular basis.

Note:

• Use fresh cucumber juice rather than extracting from cucumber pulp (or) add few drops of your favorite essential to this cucumber mist.
• Don’t throw the cucumber pulp, as you can apply it as a face mask to your face.
• Or mix freshly extracted cucumber juice and rose water in equal quantities and pour it in a spray bottle. Use it regularly for 2 – 3 times on your face.

Mist – 2: (Cucumber)

Cucumber alone will be used to prepare a soothing and refreshing toner.

• Cut 2/3 part of a cucumber and peel it off.
• Cut it into small pieces and blend it thoroughly for a couple of minutes.
• Pour these cucumber pieces in a pan and add water till the pieces are well immersed.
• Cook it on a low flame for 5 – 7 minutes and turn off the heat.
• Let the water cool down and blend the mix thoroughly.
• Strain the juice and pour it in a spray bottle.
• Spray this cool mist on your face after your face wash on regular basis.

Note: Or pour this chilled liquid on a cotton pad and place it on your strained eyes to get rid of tiredness, puffy eyes or dark circles.

Mist – 3: (Cucumber with Aloe Vera)

Cucumber has a cooling and refreshing effect and aloe vera soothes your skin to get rid of skin infections or sunburn.

• Peel a small cucumber and blend it to extract its juice.
• Pour it in a spray bottle and mix 1 teaspoon of aloe vera and enough of water to fill the spray bottle.
• Shake it well and spray it on your face to get refresh and smooth.

Note: Or juice a small cucumber and add 1 teaspoon each of aloe vera juice and witch hazel (fights inflammation) and 1/3 cup of distilled water to it. Stir well and pour it into a spray bottle. Shake well and mist on all over your face.

Mist – 4: (Cucumber with Rosewater and Glycerin)

Cucumber provides a cooling effect along with soothing and softening the skin. Rosewater reduces the redness, swelling and irritation on the skin and also acts as an astringent. Glycerin moisturizes the skin to leave it soft and supple.

• Mix 3 tablespoons each of fresh cucumber juice and rose water and 1 tablespoon of glycerin in a bowl.
• Stir well and pour this into an empty spray bottle.
• Shake it well and spray it on your face and remove the excess using a cotton pad.

Mist – 5: (Cucumber with Lemon Peel)

This mist is effective to the dry skin, as cucumber soothes and softens your skin and lemon acts as a natural exfoliator that removes oil and dirt clogged in your skin pores.

• Pour 1 cup of hot water in a jar and add 1/2 a chopped cucumber and 2 lemon peels.
• Place its lid and leave it for overnight.
• Strain the liquid in the morning into an empty spray bottle.
• Shake well and spray it on your face regularly.

Note: Or cut 1/2 a cucumber into slices and 2 lemon peels and place it in a bowl. Pour hot water and leave for overnight. Strain it and add liquid from 2 vitamin E capsules into it. Pour it in a spray bottle.

Mist – 6: (Cucumber with Witch Hazel and Match Green Tea)

Cucumber helps to tighten the skin, fade dark spots and scars and provides a refreshing effect on the skin.

• Peel and slice a cucumber and blend it well.
• Then add 1/8 teaspoon of matcha green tea powder in it and blend well.
• Strain the liquid and pour it in 1/3rd of the spray bottle and add 1 tablespoon of witch hazel and vegetable glycerin.
• Then fill the bottle with some sparkling mineral water and shake it well.
• Spray it on all over your face after rinsing the face as a toner to get rid of the skin problems.

Mist – 7: (Cucumber with Mint Leaves and Lemon)

Cucumber has the same pH as our skin that helps to calm and tighten your skin. Mint has vitamin A that strengthens up your skin tissue and also controls the oil production. Lemon has vitamin C and acts as an astringent that reduces excess oil and signs of aging.

• Take 1/2 teaspoon of fresh mint leaves, juice of 1/2 a cucumber and 1/4 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice in a bowl.
• Stir well and pour this into a spray bottle.
• Spray it on your face or simply apply it all over the face using a cotton pad as a toner.
• For best results, use this at night before bedtime.

Note:

• Or use mint tea instead of mint leaves juice or extract.
• Or mix some carrot juice, mint juice, lemon juice in the juice extracted from 1/2 a cucumber. Stir and pour into a spray bottle. This mist is good for treating oily skin.

Tips and Precautions:

1. Drink plenty of water and consume healthy well – balanced diet to get rid of toxins from the skin and thereby to keep it smooth, hydrated and infection free.
2. Never ever use a metal bottle for storage purpose of this mist why because the metal might react with any of the ingredients used for preparing mist. So, use a high-quality plastic bottle or glass bottle for storing.
3. Always remember to shake the spray bottle before each usage to mix all the ingredients.
4. Also, pour this mist into an ice cube tray and freeze it to make it as ice cubes. Use these ice cubes on your face to grab the same benefits.
5. Other than these cooling mists, you have to exfoliate your skin regularly to remove dust and dead cells and also remove your makeup before going to bed.

Try these homemade mist and share your experience with us in the below comments box.

Open pores (or large pores) are a common beauty concern for many people, especially women. It is caused due to excess sebum, bacteria, prolonged sun exposure, hormonal changes, aging, stress, genetics, poor diet, improper skin care routine, etc.

In general, skin pores provide the required oil to the skin to keep it well hydrated. It helps the skin to breathe and perform certain functions like eliminating toxins and maintaining a smooth body.

People with oily skin are more prone to these open pores. If not treated properly, then it results in skin problems like acne, blackheads, etc. So, preventing large pores is essential to maintain a proper skin care regimen, which in turn results in skin tightening and enhances the collagen production.

There are many cosmetic products used to eliminate these pores but the usage of natural remedies at home will provide you with the best and effective results without any side effects.

Home Remedies for Open Pores:

Here are the best time tested natural remedies that widely used to shrink your open pores and enhance your beauty. Try them regularly to get relief from those clogged pores.

Remedy – 1: (Ice)

Ice is a simple remedy that helps to shrink your large pores with its skin tightening effect. It minimizes the enlarged pores by stimulating proper blood circulation and thus promotes a healthier skin.

• Wrap few ice cubes in a clean cloth.
• Hold it on your skin for 15 – 20 seconds to tighten up your skin pores.
• Dry your skin and repeat the same process for few times daily till you get relief from large pores.

Note:

• Or rinse your face with ice cold water for once daily before applying makeup to get rid of large pores.
• Also, prepare ice cubes using cucumber juice, green tea, apple juice or rose water and apply it on the face instead of using plain water ice cubes.

Remedy – 2: (Egg Whites)

Egg whites can be widely used to shrink those enlarged skin pores with its skin tightening property. It enhances the collagen production, draws out excess oil and provides essential nutrients to the skin.

• Whip an egg white and spread it on your face evenly.
• Make sure to focus on nose, forehead and chin areas.
• Then cover the skin with the pieces of tissue paper.
• Let it sit for few minutes to get dried and then peel off the tissue.
• Repeat the same regularly for once or twice a week to get rid of impurities and enlarge pores.

Note:

• Or whisk 2 egg whites with freshly squeezed juice of 1/2 a lemon. Stir and apply it on your face and rinse off with cool water after 10 – 15 minutes.
• Also, whisk an egg white by adding 2 tablespoons each of oatmeal and fresh lemon juice. Stir and apply this mask on the face. Scrub your face after 30 minutes and finally, rinse off with cool water.
• Or whisk 1 egg white by adding 1 tablespoon of honey and 2 – 3 tablespoons of raw milk. Apply it all over the clean face and neck and rinse off with water after 30 minutes. Repeat it twice a week.
• Or whip an egg white by adding 2 crushed aspirin tablets powder and 1 teaspoon of yogurt. Apply this mix on the skin (acne – prone or excessively oily) and rinse off with cool water after 20 minutes.

Remedy – 3: (Apple Cider Vinegar)

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) acts as a natural astringent and toner, as it tightens the skin effectively and minimizes the large pores. It also balances your skin’s pH level to prevent these open pores and disinfect the skin with its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

• Mix equal quantities of raw apple cider vinegar and water in a bowl.
• Stir well and soak a cotton ball in this mix and apply it on all over your face.
• Let it sit for about few minutes till it dries and then rinse off with water.
• For effective results, follow this remedy in every night after cleansing your face followed with a light moisturizer.
• Do it regularly to observe improvements within few weeks.

Remedy – 4: (Sugar Scrub)

Sugar will exfoliate the skin to remove excess oil, dead cells, and impurities. Lemon acts as an astringent that close your skin pores and olive oil moisturize the skin to make it smooth.

• Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and few drops of fresh lemon juice in 2 tablespoons of sugar.
• Stir well and use this mix to scrub your skin gently for 40 seconds to 1 minute.
• Then rinse off your skin with cool water and dry your skin.
• Repeat the same for once or twice a week till you get relief from the large skin pores.

Note:

• Or sprinkle some sugar on a lemon slice or wedge and use it to rub all over your face gently. Wait for 10 minutes and rinse off with water. Repeat twice a week regularly.
• Also, mix some sugar in equal amounts of lemon juice and honey. Stir and use it to massage your skin for few minutes. Let it sit another 5 – 10 minutes before rinsing your skin. Repeat once or twice weekly.

Remedy – 5: (Lemon)

Lemon has vitamin C and citric acid that exfoliate the skin and shrinks the open pores. It also lightens the skin by reducing the spots and scars with its bleaching effect.

• Add 1 teaspoon of raw honey in a freshly squeezed juice of 1 lemon.
• Stir well to apply it on your skin and rinse off after 10 – 15 minutes.
• Continue doing the same process once daily for a month.

Note:

• Or mix 2 tablespoons each of fresh lemon juice and tomato juice. Apply it on the face and rinse off with water after 10 – 15 minutes.
• Also, apply a mix prepared by adding 1 teaspoon each of cinnamon powder and lemon juice. Wash it off after 15 – 20 minutes (or) mix lemon juice with cucumber juice and apply it on the skin.
• Or simply mix 1/2 tablespoon each of raw milk and lemon juice in 1 tablespoon of raw honey. Stir well and warm it till it becomes thick and sticky. Apply this lukewarm mix on the face using a cotton ball and wash it off after 15 minutes.

Remedy – 6: (Oatmeal)

Oats exfoliate the skin and soothe your skin to get rid of enlarged skin pores. It is suitable for all skin types.

• Mix 2 tablespoons each of oatmeal and milk powder in 5 tablespoons of honey to make a paste.
• Slather this mix on the face and rub it gently in circular motions.
• Let it sit for 15 – 20 minutes and scrub your face.
• Wash with cool water and regularly follow the same for 1 – 2 times a week.

Note: Or apply a facial mask by adding oatmeal powder and tomato juice. Rinse off after an hour to get smooth skin with closed pores.

Remedy – 7: (Fuller’s Earth)

Fuller’s Earth (or Multani mitti) absorbs excess oil and dead cells by exfoliating the skin. It also gives a natural glow to the skin by reducing the blemishes, spots, and scars. It also reverses the damage caused by sun’s rays.

• Add enough rosewater in 2 tablespoons of fuller’s earth and stir well to make a fine paste.
• Apply it on your face and neck as a mask and wait for 15 – 20 minutes.
• After that, scrub your face and rinse off with cool water.
• Continue the same regularly for once or twice a week.

Tips and Precautions:

1. Baking soda has an excellent exfoliating property that clears excess oil, dirt, and debris. It also balances your skin pH levels. So, mix 2 tablespoons each of baking soda and lukewarm water. Apply it on the skin and massage for few seconds. Rinse off with cool water to get relief from open pores.
2. Cucumber acts as a natural astringent that minimizes your open skin pores along with improving your skin texture. So, simply apply fresh cucumber juice on your skin and rinse with cool water after 20 minutes.
3. Yogurt has lactic acid that exhibits mild exfoliating property and also minimizes the skin pores. So, apply plain yogurt on the face and rinse off after 20 – 30 minutes with cool water.
4. Always remember to rinse your skin with cool water to shrink large pores. Also, go for a facial steam for once or twice a week to unclog the pores.
5. Remove your makeup at night before bedtime to prevent clog skin pores and thereby skin problems.
6. Also, applying aloe vera gel, raw honey, buttermilk, rosewater, tomato juice, alum, raw milk, papaya and other fruits, etc. will also help to shrink the large pores and makes your skin glow with natural beauty.
7. Drink plenty of water, avoid consuming fried or greasy foods, include more of fresh fruits and vegetables, etc. should be included in your daily diet.
8. Cleanse your hands and then go to the skin care regimen, as dirt hands are transmitters of diseases and skin problems.

Try these natural remedies and tips to shrink enlarged skin pores. Do you know any other methods to shrink the open pores? Then share it with us.