Do you usually toss out your leftover coffee grounds after brewing a cup of coffee? You might want to think twice before you do. Coffee grounds can actually be put to good use, both for your skin and your garden.
Exfoliating Your Skin
If you’re a coffee fan, you know there are tons of varieties to explore. But instead of tossing out those coffee grounds, consider using them as a natural exfoliant for your skin.
Coffee grounds are great at scrubbing away dead skin cells. Thanks to caffeic acid, which is an antioxidant, coffee can also help boost collagen production and fight premature aging. Plus, it has antimicrobial properties that can protect your skin from harmful germs.
To create your own exfoliating scrub, simply mix a quarter cup of fresh coffee grounds with a quarter cup of brown sugar and a bit of lemon juice. Gently massage the mixture into your skin a few times a week, leave it on for a few minutes, and then rinse off.
Treating Acne
Coffee grounds are packed with antioxidants and chlorogenic acids, which can help fight acne. When you scrub your face with coffee grounds, it can help unclog pores and get rid of dead skin cells. The chlorogenic acids in coffee also have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce redness and protect your skin from bacteria.
Protecting Your Skin From Sun Damage
The antioxidants in coffee can also provide some protection against harmful UV rays, which can cause aging and other skin issues. While more research is needed, a 2015 study found that women who applied coffee grounds to their skin had fewer age spots caused by UV exposure.
Reducing Puffy Eyes
If you’re dealing with puffiness around your eyes, coffee grounds might offer some relief. Caffeine stimulates blood flow and helps blood vessels dilate, which can reduce the fluid buildup that causes puffiness. Simply apply a little leftover coffee grounds (with a bit of liquid) around your eyes, and you might notice your skin tightening and the puffiness fading.
Fertilizing Your Garden
Now let’s talk about how you can use coffee grounds in your garden. They make an excellent natural fertilizer because they’re rich in minerals like nitrogen, iron, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, all of which are essential for plant growth.
Coffee grounds can even help absorb heavy metals that might be contaminating your soil, and they attract worms, which are great for the garden. To use them, simply sprinkle the grounds around the base of your plants.
Using Coffee Grounds in Compost
Coffee grounds are also great for composting. They’re considered “green” compost material, meaning they’re high in nitrogen, which helps balance out the “brown” materials like dry leaves. The ideal compost ratio is four parts brown to one part green, so add your coffee grounds along with other green materials like grass clippings and food scraps.
By reusing your coffee grounds in these ways, you’re not only saving them from the trash but also benefiting your skin and garden!
