The hack
Using coffee grounds to make a face scrub that gives you baby-soft skin – and eco brownie points.
The promise
In theory, the grounds lift dead cells from the skin to brighten it, while the caffeine boosts the circulation. But does turning household waste into a skin-blitzing scrub actually work?
The test
The idea is that coffee grounds act as a “mechanical” exfoliator to slough off dead skin cells. But the downsides are multiple: 1) the grounds have jagged edges that can create micro tears in the skin and cause irritation; 2) coffee grounds can clog water pipes; and 3) it’s beyond messy. One recipe suggests mixing the coffee with honey (for its antibacterial properties) into a thick exfoliating paste. I applied the gloop to my face and worked it in, which was harder than you’d think. My skin was smoother but it also felt super dry. Another recipe called for adding natural yoghurt (which contains a very mild lactic acid), so after a few days’ rest, I applied that to my skin and massaged it in. Again, it felt smoother, but also tight and red/furious.
The verdict
Face scrubs have a certain teen nostalgia, granted, but save the coffee scrub for the thicker skin on your body – the skin on our faces is way too delicate. And be sure to consider your plumbing first.
