How to Use Coffee Oil

Coffee oil is extracted from fresh or roasted coffee beans and is a key ingredient in several cosmetic formulations. Read on for the benefits and best uses of coffee oil for skin and hair.

I also share a DIY coffee oil recipe at the end of this article if you’re keen on making your cosmetic formulations.

How to Use Coffee Oil

Natural oils are a part of most skin care regimens and have been for a long time.

Masks, face scrubs, body scrubs all feature natural oils and essential oils in some form or the other because they’re so beneficial for the skin.

You will find anything from 5 – 10 types of natural oils on my beauty shelf at any given point in time.

I couldn’t do without them and I’ve featured over 50 of them on Natural Oils for Hair and Beauty.

What is Coffee Oil?

The coffee arabica plant is native to high altitude and warm regions of the world. It is found mostly in Africa. 

However, the coffee arabica plant can also be found in Latin America, Southeast Asia, China, and parts of the Caribbean and the Pacific.

Coffee oil is produced from green (unroasted) or roasted coffee beans. The oil is extracted from coffee beans via a cold-pressing method.

Coffee oil is aka coffee essential oil, coffee bean oil, green coffee bean oil, and caffeoyl.

Caffeoyl is the proper name for pure coffee oil. Authentic caffeoyl has the aroma of dark roasted coffee. It’s dark brown and has a medium to a thick consistency.

It’s important to understand the distinction in coffee oil variations and pay attention to the ingredients when you’re looking to buy coffee oil.

I have made recommendations for pure caffeoyl below and also included a DIY infused coffee oil how-to card at the end of this article.

Coffee Oil Benefits

Millions of people around the world start the day with a cup of coffee. Why not get some of the benefits for your hair and skin too?

1. Great for Mature Skin

Coffee oil is rich in linoleic, palmitic, and oleic acids and is a great ingredient for mature skin.

Additionally, the powerful antioxidant properties of coffee oil aids in maintaining a youthful appearance.

2. Reduces Appearance of Cellulite & Stretch Marks

In cosmetics, coffee oil is an active compound in anti-cellulite products because it prevents excessive accumulation of fat in cells. 

Coffee oil also decreases the appearance of stretch marks and varicose veins.

3. High Levels of Vitamin E

Cold-pressed coffee oil contains high amounts of vitamin E, a potent antioxidant that softens and promotes elasticity in skin and hair.

4. Reduces Puffy Eyes and Dark Circles

Coffee oil can constrict the blood vessels under and around the eyes thus helping to reduce issues like puffy eyes and dark circles over time.

5. Coffee Oil Stimulates Hair Growth

Coffee oil increases the microcirculation of blood on the scalp and stimulates hair growth via inhibition of 5-α-reductase activity.

5-α-reductase activity converts testosterone into DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Excess production of DHT can trigger hair loss in men and women. 

6. Improves Hair Colour

For ladies with black and brown hair, coffee also improves your natural hair color. It’s a great home remedy for darker and richer hair colors.

Note – this will not work on light-colored hair and will leave behind an unattractive stain.

7. Encourages Production of Elastin and Collagen

According to this study, coffee oil promotes the production of elastin and collagen in the skin. 

These two properties are responsible for keeping skin plump, radiant, and firm.

8. Coffee Oil Soothes Stressed Muscles

The stimulating effects in coffee help relax stressed muscles and soothe joint pains. It’s a great addition to body massage oil and body scrubs.

Is Coffee Good for Hair Growth?

The benefits of coffee oil for skin translate as benefits for hair as well. 

As mentioned above, 5-α-reductase activity converts testosterone into DHT (dihydrotestosterone) which is a hormone that can trigger hair loss.

Applying coffee oil to the scalp inhibits the production of  5-α-reductase. A 2007 study found that caffeine blocked the effects of DHT and stimulated elongation of the hair shaft. 

The study also showed the anagen (hair growth) phase lasted longer in men and women.

Since caffeine is also a stimulant, it helps increase circulation to the hair follicles and provides the nourishment necessary for effective hair growth.

Additionally, coffee contains vitamin B3 (niacin) and vitamin B2 (riboflavin); two of the essential vitamins necessary for healthy hair growth.

The best way to get the benefits of coffee oil for hair growth is via using it in a scalp massage oil recipe. 

You can put together some scalp massage oil ideas in 8 Steps to Effective Massage Scalp With Natural Oils

By the way, drinking coffee will not make your hair grow faster. You cannot drink enough coffee every day to make that happen. It needs to be applied topically for the best results.

Does Coffee Oil Contain Caffeine?

Coffee oil contains a tiny amount of caffeine, which makes coffee oil a great addition to energizing massage oils.

Caffeine is an alkaloid that provides stimulating effects in the body.

How To Use Coffee Oil on Skin

  • Mix coffee oil with ginger and cinnamon essential oil and massage onto areas with cellulite every day.
  • Put a q-tip into coffee oil and dab lightly under the eyes to reduce puffiness and dark circles.
  • Mix coffee oil with a little bit of vaseline and apply to dry and cracked heels, knees, and elbows for instant moisture. Over time, this mixture should eliminate the dryness. To make it even more effective, add a few drops of rosehip seed oil to the mix as well.
  • You can use coffee as a body scrub and I shared some great recipes for this in Chocolate Coffee Body Scrub Recipes.
  • Add coffee oil to your DIY body butter. There’s a great recipe for DIY body butter at Benefits of Kokum Butter for the Skin. You can adapt the recipe for your skin care needs.
  • You can use coffee oil in aromatherapy as a body massage oil. You can adapt one of the recipes recommended in 7 Amazing Homemade Body Massage Oil Recipes.
  • Add a few drops of coffee oil to a cleansing clay mask. You can adapt one of the recipes recommended in Bentonite Clay Masks for Healthy & Glowing Skin.

How To Use Coffee Oil on Hair

  • Add coffee oil to your scalp massage oil recipe for increased blood circulation in the scalp area.
  • Use coffee oil for hot oil treatment. Massage into your scalp and strands, cover with a disposable cap, and wrap a hot towel around your hair for 30 minutes then shampoo and deep condition.
  • Make a rinse out of coffee and rose water and apply to your hair, twist, and pin up. Leave on for 45 minutes to 1 hour then shampoo and deep condition. This will darken natural hair color over time. 

Where to Buy Coffee Oil?

Below are some great recommendations for authentic coffee bean oil and green coffee bean oil. 

Leven Rose Coffee Bean Oil 

Leven Rose Coffee Bean Oil 

SVA Organics Coffee Oil

SVA Organics Coffee Oil

Bella Terra Oils Green Coffee Bean Oil

Bella Terra Oils Green Coffee Bean Oil

Tropical Holistic Coffee Bean Oil

Tropical Holistic Coffee Bean Oil

DIY Coffee Oil

The process for making coffee oil is similar to DIY mustard seed oil. This resulting oil is an infused oil.

You’ll need 4 tablespoons of ground coffee beans, 1 cup of olive oil, sweet almond oil or grapeseed oil, and a mason jar with a wide mouth.

Step 1

Ground coffee speeds up the process of releasing the active compounds and chemicals in the beans. 

Pour the ground coffee into the mason jar and cover with the carrier oil.

Ground coffee

Step 2

Close the jar and set it aside for 2 – 4 weeks. Every week, give the jar a good shake for maximum extraction.

Step 3

After 4 weeks, strain the infused oil through a cheesecloth or fine wire strainer and pour infused coffee oil into a clean mason jar or bottle. Your DIY coffee oil is ready. 

Don’t want to wait weeks to use your coffee oil?

You can use a faster method via a slow cooker or a double boiler. I will share these methods in the next article.

Coffee Oil Side Effects

Coffee oil is generally well tolerated but conduct a patch test if you are using it for the first time. Do not ingest coffee oil!

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should consult your primary care physician before including coffee oil in your regimen.

Coffee Oil Shelf Life

Coffee oil is a relatively stable oil with a shelf life of 12 – 18 months. However, if it smells funny any time before then, you should discard it.

For more on the shelf life of various natural oils, read Do You Know What the Shelf Life of Your Oil Stash Is?.

Coffee Oil Beauty Products

There are a lot of beauty products on the market with coffee used in their ingredients.

Coffee oil is usually labeled as Coffea arabica (coffee) seed oil on products. Below are some popular coffee oil beauty products:-

For even more coffee oil beauty products, have a look at the ideas list curated HERE.

SHOP COFFEE OIL BEAUTY PRODUCTS

Coffee oil is an overall versatile beauty product that offers a range of benefits for hair and skin but that doesn’t mean it will work for everybody.

Remember to always give any new treatments at least 8 – 10 weeks before making a decision on their efficacy.

DIY Coffee Oil Recipe

DIY Coffee Oil

Yield: 1 bottle
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Active Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
Difficulty: Simple

This DIY infused coffee oil is beneficial for hair and skin care and requires just two ingredients.

Materials

Instructions

  1. Pour the ground coffee into the mason jar and cover with the carrier oil. 
  2. Close the jar and give it a shake.
  3. Set the jar aside for 2 - 4 weeks. Every week, give the jar a good shake for maximum extraction.
  4. After 4 weeks, strain the infused oil through a cheesecloth or fine wire strainer.
  5. Pour infused coffee oil into a clean mason jar or squeeze cap bottle.

DIY Coffee Oil Recipe

Notes

  • You can also use jojoba oil, sesame seed oil, sunflower oil, or plain castor oil for this recipe.
  • Don’t forget to note down the date you prepared the infusion so you can know when it expires.
  • You can use the coffee grounds for compost if you have a garden.

References

Abi is a curly hair expert who delved into the world of natural oils after severe hair loss issues. Through her research, study, and testing, she was able to regrow her bald spots & a healthy head of hair. She is the founder of Healthy Natural Hair Products & Ade Ori Hair Care, and the author of the highly-rated Healthy Hair Care Series. She continues to study hair science, Ayurveda, and natural and healthy solutions for hair and skin. Learn more about our Editorial Guidelines

This post contains affiliate links which means I will make a small commission if you purchase through those links. Read full disclosure HERE.

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