Who knew coffee was more than just a pick-me-up? Your morning cup of Joe can actually be a natural beauty treatment to improve your health and your skin. Applying coffee to your face can reduce puffiness, make you look younger, and improve your overall glow. So, don’t just drink your coffee — rub it in!

Coffee is full of antioxidants, especially flavanoids. These guys have antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, which work in favor of your health and skin. Inflammation can cause acne and less-than-perfect skin. Other antioxidants inherent in coffee include caffeic acid, caffeine, chlorogenic acids, eugenol, gamma-tocopherl, isoeugenol, p-coumaric acid, scopoletin and tannic acid. On the skin, these antioxidants work to prevent aging by stalling free-radical damage.

The dehydrating quality of coffee also works in favor of your skin, at least in the short-term. When applied to the skin, coffee is able to make the skin tighter, reducing the appearance of under-eye bags, fine lines, and puffiness. While the skin’s cells will eventually relax and go back to their original state, coffee offers a temporary perk!

Coffee is also known to improve blood circulation, which is not only good news for your heart but also your skin! With your skin receiving the blood and oxygen it needs, it is able to stay young and fresh. Better yet, coffee can even go as far as to prevent the development of skin cancer.

So, when it comes to the skin, coffee can be useful. The following coffee facial scrub exfoliates, moisturizes, and tightens up your dull, lifeless complexion.

Coffee Facial Scrub

For 1 use

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon ground coffee
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon honey

Directions

Mix all together until evenly combined. Use the tips of your fingers to apply to dry skin. Rub your face in circular motions, focusing on your lips, forehead, and neck. Rinse clean, pat dry with a towel and moisturize per usual. Enjoy!

Image Credit: Nomilknocry

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The post Natural Beauty: What a Coffee Facial Can Do for Your Skin appeared first on EcoSalon.

Your best summer accessory is smooth, healthy, glowing skin.  The best (and quickest) way to stellar skin is to remove that surface layer of dead skin cells that can build up over time, making it look dull, clogging pores, and accentuating wrinkles.  Here are four lovely options to have you glowing in no time.

1. Don’t skip your scalp. We’re not kidding when we say head to toe.  Even your scalp (and overall health) can benefit from a deep clean & detox to counteract past chemical damage from synthetic products and processing. Morocco Method’s Zen Detox Hair & Scalp Therapy contains volcanic clay, hydrolyzed prickly pear cactus proteins & rare Celtic trace minerals which work to support scalp health and hair growth by detoxing the follicles, roots, and oil glands and scalp.  Note:  It takes a few rinses to wash it out completely, so have patience.

2. Off with the old.  To brighten delicate facial skin, opt for an enzyme or natural fruit acid treatment such as Arcona’s Raspberry Resurfacing Peel.  A blend of natural fruit acids dissolves dead skin cells to resurface, hydrate and oxygenate the skin while smoothing fine lines and minimizing pores and brown spots.  A great pre-event treatment for nearly instant glow.

3. Smooth and juicy.  We hate lumpy looking lipstick.  The solution?  Even lips benefit in multiple ways from a good scrub.  Exfoliate, condition and plump in a single step with The Natural’s Organic Lip Scrub.  Made using organic sugar, natural oils and beeswax, daily use eliminates flakey skin and decreases fine lines on and around the lips with continued use.

4. Polish it up.  The perfect partner for smooth, moisturized summer skin, Trillium Organic’s Body Polish features ultra purified salt crystals shaped into perfect cubes to exfoliate effectively without damaging skin.  De-congest the dermis, stimulate cellular regeneration and leave skin moisturized, smooth and glowing. Unlike other oil based salt scrubs, their unique oil blend absorbs quickly and rinses clean, leaving no greasy film behind.

While exfoliation is a great way to brighten and smooth skin, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.  To preserve the health of your skin and keep it’s natural lipid layer intact, consider exfoliating 3-4 times a week instead of every day and pay attention to how it’s feeling. If it’s feeling tight or looking red or irritated at all skip the scrub and opt for a gentle moisturizer until it’s ready for a little deep cleaning again.

Photo Credit: Miriam Cardoso de Souza

The post Exfoliate from Head to Toe (Literally) with 4 Natural Scrubs appeared first on EcoSalon.