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coffee under eye cream
  • Beauty

DIY Coffee Under Eye Cream Recipe (to Perk Up Tired Eyes)

Katie WellsJan 20, 2021Updated: Apr 24, 2021
Dr Shani
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shani Muhammad, MD
Reading Time: 5 min

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Wellness Mama » Blog » Beauty » DIY Coffee Under Eye Cream Recipe (to Perk Up Tired Eyes)
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • What Causes Dark Circles Under the Eyes?
  • Coffee Under Eye Cream Ingredients+−
    • Coffee (of course!)
    • Avocado Oil
    • Cocoa Butter
    • Mango Butter
    • Lavender Oil
  • Coffee Under Eye Cream+−
    • Shelf Life and Storage

Coffee doesn’t just have to perk up your morning, it can also perk up tired eyes! Infused with real coffee, this coffee under eye cream features nourishing antioxidants, butters, and oils.

What Causes Dark Circles Under the Eyes?

Before we go about fixing a problem, it helps to understand why it happened in the first place. While there are plenty of miracle promising eye creams, solving under eye circles requires some lifestyle changes too.

A 2016 article on “Periorbital Hyperpigmentation” looked at what causes under eye discoloration and puffiness. Not so surprisingly, they found eighty-one percent of dark circle cases were women.

Here are some of the causes of dark under eye circles:

  • Genetics – One of the top culprits of under eye circles is genetics. Despite common belief, genes are something we do have some control over. By making targeted healthy lifestyle choices genetics don’t have to wreak havoc on our life (and eyes!).
  • Age – Skin elasticity and tone decline as we age. According to Mayo Clinic, in older adults eye tissues and muscles weaken and fat can deposit in the lower eyelids. Fluid may build up and add to the puffiness.
  • Poor circulation – When blood and lymphatic fluid is stagnant, it can pool in the under eye area. This contributes to the dark, purple hue. One solution is to massage the area to boost circulation and lymphatic drainage.
  • Ethnicity – The amount of melanin in our skin determines how dark or light it is. Those with darker skin tones are more prone to dark, under eye circles, according to a 2014 article in the Journal of Drugs and Dermatology.

Other common causes of under eye issues include:

  • Lack of sleep
  • Smoking
  • Allergies
  • Iron deficiency

It’s important to address any underlying health issues, along with using an under eye cream.

Coffee Under Eye Cream Ingredients

There are plenty of under eye creams out there, so why this one? Similar to my shea butter eye cream recipe, this one features natural, skin nourishing ingredients. The star ingredient though is the coffee-infused coconut oil!

Coffee (of course!)

This popular beverage boasts an impressive range of health benefits. While a lot of us may enjoy a cup of coffee in the mornings to perk up our day, this eye cream doesn’t likely have caffeine in it. Because caffeine is water soluble and this is an oil infusion, the caffeine won’t make it through to the final product. So why add coffee to an under eye cream?

Coffee is the largest source of free radical busting antioxidants. These antioxidants reduce the damage from oxidative stress, UV damage, and are anti-inflammatory. Many over the counter coffee under eye creams use green coffee extract from the unroasted beans, but that may not be the best option. 2019 research published in the journal, Metabolites, found a darker roast coffee has more antioxidants than a lighter roast. Another study found:

“There was a significantly higher level of antioxidant activity in roasted beans over green beans. The roasting process created brand new active antioxidant compounds in the beans than existed in the green beans.” Purity Coffee

Avocado Oil

It makes for a killer mayo, but avocado oil is also really good for skin. This oil is packed with vitamins A, B, and E, proteins, and amino acids. As we age, collagen production in our skin decreases, creating the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and general aging.

Avocado increases collagen in the skin and strengthens cell walls to help skin looker younger and not as thin. Avocado oil may also help inflammation, restore tissues, and protect the skin from UV rays and other stressors. It’s high in carotenoids and 2005 research in the Journal of Nutrition shows it helps vitamin A carotenoids to absorb better.

While I prefer naturally refined avocado oil for cooking with, unrefined avocado oil is more potent for skincare. Look for one that’s dark green and naturally extracted, like this one.

Cocoa Butter

With its chocolate smell and smooth texture, cocoa butter is a favorite for skincare. It’s very high in specific antioxidants called tocotrienols, which are 40 to 60 times more effective than the alpha-tocopherol antioxidants found in vitamin E. Tocotrienols absorb better into the skin, reduce inflammation, and help protect against skin damage.

Mango Butter

A little softer than cocoa butter, mango butter is high in vitamin C. It’s high in antioxidants and reduces inflammation to repair and revitalize damaged skin. Unlike shea and cocoa butter, mango butter is more astringent and helps balance out the heaviness of the richer oils in this recipe.

Lavender Oil

Coffee, lavender, and chocolate may seem like a weird combo, but trust me on this one: The scent is really yummy together! Lavender is also great at soothing and calming all sorts of skin complaints. I’ve kept the percentage really low so it’s okay for the under eye area, but be sure to avoid getting it in the actual eye.

coffee under eye cream

Coffee Under Eye Cream

Katie Wells
This smooth coffee infused cream helps boost circulation, plump skin, and improve the appearance of under eye circles and puffiness.
4 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
melting time 10 mins
Total Time 15 mins
Servings 2 ounces

Equipment

  • Double boiler
  • Metal tins or glass jars
  • Mason jar

Ingredients
  

  • 2 and ½ tsp coffee infused coconut oil
  • 1 TBSP cocoa butter
  • 1 and ½ tsp mango butter
  • 1 tsp unrefined avocado oil
  • 2 tsp beeswax pellets grated or pellets
  • 3 drops lavender essential oil optional

Coffee Infused Coconut Oil

  • ¼ cup organic coffee, ground
  • ½ cup coconut oil

Instructions
 

  • Combine all of the ingredients except for the lavender essential oil in a small mason jar. Place the mason jar in a pot that has a strainer in the bottom. This protects the bottom of the jar from breaking.
  • Fill the pot with enough water to come halfway up the side of the mason jar, and gently simmer until all of the ingredients are melted.
  • Add the lavender oil, if using, and immediately pour into your container(s) of choice.

Coffee Infused Coconut Oil

  • Place the fresh, unused coffee and coconut oil into the top of a double boiler. You can also use a heat safe glass bowl perched on a pot.
  • Simmer the water under the mixture for about an hour to create an infusion.
  • Strain well with a nut milk bag or coffee filter and discard the coffee grounds.

Notes

You won’t use all of the coffee oil for this recipe, but it can be added to other skincare recipes that call for coconut oil. 
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Shelf Life and Storage

This under eye cream is best stored in small glass jar or metal tins and will last about 6-12 months. Like most DIY skin products this is best stored in a cool place, away from direct heat and sunlight.

Because there isn’t any water in it, it’s not as attractive to germs and bacteria which cause spoilage. You don’t need a preservative here, but sometimes I’ll add 1% of vitamin E to extend the shelf life of the oils. For this recipe you would use 10 drops of vitamin E oil as an antioxidant.

This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Shani Muhammad, MD, board certified in family medicine and has been practicing for over ten years. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor or work with a doctor at SteadyMD.

Do you use under eye cream? What self-care practices do you use to take care of your eyes? 

Sources
  1. Mayo Clinic. (2019, Dec 3). Bags under eyes.
  2. Parker, Susan M. Power of the Seed: Your Guide to Oils for Health & Beauty (Process Self-reliance Series). Process. Kindle Edition.
  3. Rothwell, J. A., Loftfield, E., Wedekind, R., Freedman, N., Kambanis, C., Scalbert, A., & Sinha, R. (2019). A Metabolic Study of the Variability of the Chemical Composition of Commonly Consumed Coffee Brews. Metabolites, 9(1), 17.
    Unlu, N. Z., Bohn, T., Clinton, S. K., & Schwartz, S. J. (2005). Carotenoid absorption from salad and salsa by humans is enhanced by the addition of avocado or avocado oil. The Journal of nutrition, 135(3), 431–436.
  4. Roberts, W. (2014, April). Periorbital hyperpigmentation: Review of Etiology, Medical Evaluation, and Aesthetic Treatment. The Journal of Drugs and Dermatology, 13(4).
    Sarkar, R., Ranjan, R., Garg, S., Garg, V. K., Sonthalia, S., & Bansal, S. (2016). Periorbital Hyperpigmentation: A Comprehensive Review. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 9(1), 49–55.
  5. Salisbury, A. (n.d.). Antioxidants: The secret to coffee’s amazing health benefits.
Category: BeautyReviewer: Dr. Shani Muhammad, MD

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About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

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Reader Interactions

Discussion (15 Comments)

  1. Alyssa

    February 23, 2023 at 11:40 AM

    I was excited about this eye cream but after if cooled it became very hard. Is that normal? The cream does not feel like a cream, it’s more like a hard wax. Am I a doing something wrong?

    Reply
    • Jamie Larrison

      February 27, 2023 at 8:39 PM

      It is harder, more like a salve, but it shouldn’t be rock hard. Since coconut oil is very sensitive to room temperature it can get pretty hard in colder weather or cooler houses. You may need to remelt and add some more avocado oil to soften it or add less beeswax next time.

      Reply
  2. Janet Hellmann

    March 4, 2022 at 1:35 PM

    Just now making this and as it’s melting it looks pretty dark in color ( I used the dark roast coffee). Will this stain my skin?

    Reply
    • Jamie Larrison

      May 8, 2022 at 11:42 PM

      When you’re infusing the coconut oil with the coffee it looks dark? It will at first but then the coffee is strained out and it shouldn’t stain the skin. You can do a patch test on your wrist if you’re worried about it, but there shouldn’t be an issue.

      Reply
  3. Hisham

    October 9, 2021 at 3:54 PM

    Is there a substitute for mango butter?

    Reply
    • Jamie Larrison

      October 27, 2021 at 12:52 AM

      Shea butter is probably the closest substitute but it’s much greasier than mango butter. It should still work but it will take longer to absorb.

      Reply
  4. Kay M

    February 17, 2021 at 3:53 PM

    Awesome. I had to switch from coffee to tea due to digestive problems, but after you recommended it I tried a few varieties of Four Sigmatic. I can’t have it daily, but I find I’m able to incorporate the lions mane one here and there, which is such a treat for me because I adore the flavor of coffee and miss it so much. Thanks, Katie! I’ve been an avid reader for many years. So grateful for what you do.

    Reply
  5. Kay M.

    February 15, 2021 at 6:48 PM

    Hey there, Katie! I noticed you mentioned in your latest email that you are drinking Purity Coffee during the days that you drink caffeine… Do you still incorporate Four Sigmatic?

    Reply
    • Katie Wells

      February 16, 2021 at 11:56 AM

      Yes indeed, I’m always switching it up!

      Reply
  6. Lea

    January 24, 2021 at 10:23 AM

    So I just have to ask you Katie, would consuming the avocado oil for helping with collagen production and thin skin be as beneficial as applying it to the skin? As in, swallowing 2 to 3 tablespoons of the deep green oil daily, vs applying it on your face? I am a mom of seven, and I had very thin skin before I had my first child, and though I’ve been consuming collagen daily for about four years now, and I know it has definitely helped, I’m especially looking for ways to help for instance over my chest and tummy where I had severe stretch marks from pregnancy and nursing, as well as my face, as I have very thin dark skin around my eyes.
    This sounds awesome, I’ll be trying it soon!! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Katie Wells

      March 18, 2021 at 4:24 PM

      I stick to mostly olive oil internally and like avocado, olive and shea butter on the skin

      Reply
  7. Christina

    January 24, 2021 at 7:50 AM

    How does this coffee eye cream recipe compare to the Shea butter eye cream recipe. Is one more beneficial than the other?

    Reply
    • Katie Wells

      March 18, 2021 at 4:24 PM

      Both are great and just depend on your skin type

      Reply
  8. Diane

    January 23, 2021 at 11:29 AM

    5 stars
    I haven’t tried this yet, but it sounds great. You make it sound doable and I think I’ll start gathering my ingredients. I have always used eye cream, but it can get expensive (especially if you want the “good stuff”), and I’d love to find a DIY recipe that works for all purposes. You call this an under-eye cream (which should have a hyphen, by the way–apologies from the compulsive proofreader!), but is it suitable for all around the eyes? I would guess so, but I’m not a skin care expert. I went to your Wellnesse site and didn’t see an eye cream there yet.

    Reply
  9. Nicole

    January 22, 2021 at 11:37 AM

    This sounds awesome. I can’t wait to try it! I am sure it smells amazing and hopefully helps my always and forever tired looking eyes.

    Reply

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