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Today I am sharing the best part of my morning skincare routine. This DIY Caffeinated Oil for Skin is incredible and super easy to make!
I shared a little instagram stories tutorial on how I apply this in the morning, so be sure to click here to watch under the skin highlights!
Caffeine is one of my favorite chemistry molecules for so many reasons, but one of it’s best uses is for skincare!
I will be sharing all the benefits of this DIY caffeinated oil for skin after the recipe!
DIY Caffeinated Oil for Skin Plus Amazing Benefits
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Ingredients:
- 1 cup coconut oil (This one is my favorite)
- 3/4 cup coffee grounds (organic is best, like this one)
- Glass jar with secure lid
Directions:
In a jar, add the coconut oil and coffee grounds. Shake well and allow to infuse for at least two weeks (you can infuse up to one month). Shake vigorously each day.
REMEMBER coconut oil is a solid in cooler temperatures, so if you are making this in the winter or when your house is cooler, it will firm up the coconut oil. Just place it in the sun or a warm area while it steeps for two weeks (or up to one month) to keep it liquid. You can also pop the glass jar in the microwave (once lid is removed) for a few seconds to loosen oil again. Just make sure to keep an eye on it so it will stay liquid while infusing.
Once the two weeks (or month) is over, strain the oil into another container with a cheesecloth or coffee filters. A cheesecloth will be easier to use because you can squeeze the coffee grounds well to get all the oil out. Coffee filters are cheap and easy though, so either way is fine.
When Using Coffee Filters to Strain
Just place a coffee filter over a container and secure with a rubber band. Drain the oil into it slowly, stirring the grounds around. Replace the coffee filter if it starts draining slowly. Picture is above.
If Using a Cheesecloth
Just place the cloth in a bowl, dump out the jar into the cloth, squeeze well until all the oil is strained.
Alternate Method of Extraction
The method used above is what I prefer. It is similar to cold-pressing essential oils, but there is no heat involved. To speed up the process or if you don’t have much time, you can try using a heat method instead. Here is the method below:
Ingredients:
3/4 cup coconut oil
3/4 cup coffee grounds
Directions:
Place ingredients in a saucepan, heat on low, stirring occasionally. Allow to heat for about 25-30 minutes on low.
Strain the oil the same way as shown above.
Which is better?
Both are great ways to make this DIY caffeinated oil for skin, but the cold extraction or “infusion” is probably the best way to get all the caffeine out without risking any decomposition of the molecules. Since this method uses low heat, it should be fine. I have used both methods and like both the oils it produces! Just be sure to not overheat if using the stove.
Benefits of DIY Caffeinated Oil for Skin
We’ve talked about caffeine for the skin before on Chemistry Cachet. If you have used our DIY under eye mask, one of the main components is caffeine.
Caffeine does wonders for skin like brighten pigmentation, lighten dark circles, reduce puffiness, and tighten pores. While it reduces puffiness, it also plumps skin. Plumpness makes skin appear more youthful, like it did when you were younger. As we age, the collagen depletes in our skin causing it to look saggy. Caffeine helps plump the skins surface just enough.
Coffee is also a good source of antioxidants which help bring nutrients to your skin.
Coconut oil is one of the best natural moisturizing agents for skin. The saturated fats are great for all skin types, even those who have oily skin can benefit from coconut oil. Coconut oil is a great oil to infuse with, so it does a good job of soaking up the caffeine from the coffee grounds.
Other benefits of caffeinated oil:
- Reduce appear of cellulite
- Reduce appearance of dark circles
- Treat stretch marks by stimulating collagen
- Brighten dull skin
Can You Use Another Oil??
You can substitute olive oil, but I don’t like it as much for facial use. Coconut oil has the perfect consistency and saturated fats to help the quality of your skin.
I also love how coconut oil becomes more of a solid in cooler temperatures, which means you can actually use this as a cream and not just a serum. Pop in the fridge to harden and use like that. Or keep it warmer to use as a serum. Either way, it is great!
How Often to Use
You can use this every day! I recommend using it in the mornings to make your face look great under make up or bare! Be sure to check out my instagram stories for more details on my routine.
How to Store It
Any glass container or jar with a lid is perfect. I will sometimes just leave mine in a small glass in the bathroom to dip into anytime. You can keep this cool in the refrigerator which creates a firmer, more cream like substance. You can leave it sitting on the counter which will allow it to be whatever the ambient temperature is (I live in Texas so this usually means mine is liquid). If your oil is firm, you can also pop it in the microwave for a few seconds to create a serum again. It is totally up to you and how you like to apply it.
ENJOY!!!
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Alexis is an investigative chemist sharing her expertise in cleaning, skincare, gardening, and home hacks. She personally tests out products like the best skincare products or home products then shares not only the science behind how it works, but also her personal results. She is the mom of two living in Texas with her husband. Find her on Instagram for fantastic videos, tips, and behind the scenes.
I saw this on your Instagram, cannot wait to try it! Your skin is so pretty, I hope I can get some good results too lol
Thank you! Lol it is an amazing oil and so good for youthful skin š
Such an easy diy skincare product and I love all the benefits caffeinated oil offers your skin. Emily @ Martinis & Bikinis
It is one of my favorite skincare items! It has so many great benefits š
Thanks for all the information. I had no idea that caffeine was good for your skin. š
-lauren
It is so great for your skin!!
Sounds interesting
It is great!
You had me at caffienated š
Green Fashionista
It does wonders for your skin!
I’ve never heard of caffeinated oil until today… you learn something new. I love the benefits of the oil, but I just cannot get past the smell of coffee – makes me nauseous. is there anything else I can use besides coffee and still reap the benefits?
Thatās really the only way to extract caffeine out of the oil. You can buy caffeinated oil without scent, but it is pricey š
Would infusing oil with a large amount of tea (not sure if black or green is more caffeinated) work as well? I assume the ratio of tea to oil would need to be higher than the coffee, which I guess would be tough, since it’s 1:1 now… Lol, I am writing and calculating at once. But I would think one could make a somewhat less caffeinated tea version, but I am not sure about solubility etc. And would a bit of beeswax with tea oil would keep the caffeine in place longer? I love the coffee smell personally, but I am such a DIY nerd, I had to find out about the tea (I just made a green tea extract & added it to a couple homemade products, I am already seeing results in a week)! Thank you for writing the blog, science should alwaya be the #1 factor in DIY products! I rely on this blog for a lot of info for new ideas and fixing recipes I am already making (my laundry detergent actually works now, thank you!).
Thank you! Happy you enjoy our website š As far as tea, black tea will definitely have more caffeine. The problem with using tea is how low the caffeine content is compared to coffee. You would need to add such a large amount to this mixture, it wouldn’t leave much room to extract. Matcha green tea has the largest amount of caffeine for teas, but doesn’t hold up well to a long term infusion. Coffee has a large amount of caffeine and also extracts well. You can try it with tea for a nice oil, but it won’t have the same benefits for your skin this does š You can add beeswax and tea tree oil per use, but I wouldn’t add it into the entire container, it won’t mix well with the oil. But, it would definitely make a great addition per application!
I just finished up my first batch using the cold extraction method. Because it has been cold in my area, I microwaved it a handful of times because the coconut oil became solid. I had to microwave for about 30 seconds though because a few seconds was not long enough, with our settings. Iām worried that I may have not done this correctly, or it may have overcooked as a result, and led to it being rancid. It smells like coffee and coconut oil. How can one tell if itās been overcooked and rancid?
It should be fine. There really isn’t anything you can do to mess this up, it might be just a little stronger than doing it all the way cold. If it smells like coffee and coconut oil, it is fine to use š
Thanks Alexis! I love your website and always look forward to your posts. Iām a huge fan. š
Thanks Melissa! I am so happy to hear that š Hope you enjoy using this DIY oil!
Alexis: I have extremely dry skin and I am excited to try your formula. However, I have one important question: are you using ground coffee pre-brewing, or do I use the expended grounds after I have made myself some coffee?? Thank you, Randy A.
Just coffee grounds straight out of the bag. Not used ones š
Unfortunately, you aren’t extracting caffeine from the coffee using coconut oil bc it is water-soluble. Came across your blog for looking for a way to extract the caffeine to make an organic caffeinated eye oil. I think what I am going to do is do a cold brew of strong coffee, allow to dehydrate some and mix into the coconut/coffee oil.
In theory,yes, using water will get the most caffeine out. Like, making coffee. However, I did not like the results of this type of solution. It made me break out and was a mess! After testing out mixing the coffee directly with coconut oil, I liked the results better and it continues to be one of my fav DIY serums. You can definitely try mixing ready made coffee with oil and see what you think. This is similar to our homemade eye serum.
There are some studies that show caffeine is fat soluble. Have a Google.
I have been using coconut oil on my skin for years because I have such senstive skin. Coconut oil has always been a favorite. I found your post and decided to try the recipe. Wow!! I am soo amazed how great this was. I put this around my eyes at night and wake up look so rested. Dark circles look better and that area is tighter looking. I am really surprised how powerful this stuff is. Thank you for sharing this. Now I do regular coconut oil and caffeinated š I am following your blog now too
That is a great to hear, so glad you found our blog! It is amazing how simple these ingredients are, but caffeine is one of the best for skin
Iām African American. Does that matter that I have different skin tone?
Hi! Skin tone won’t have any impact on this solution š
I have just found this today! I have never even heard of Caffinated Oil. However, I’m eager to try anything to help my skin. I’m 72 and I have Roscea. It doesn’t flare up too often but I’ve recently had a flare-up and NOTHING, not even the medicines, are clearing it up. Would this maybe be good for that?
This can be helpful for Roscea. I would also recommend rosehip seed oil which is one of the best oils for eczema and inflamed skin!