Introduction

Coffee lovers would argue that there is absolutely nothing that a good cup of coffee can’t fix. From iced coffees to custom blends, strong and black to sweet lattes, coffee is enjoyed as a daily energy booster, worldwide. But the benefits of coffee go a step beyond mental and physical stimulation from the caffeine kick. Recent research has shown that the oil extracted from roasted or green coffee beans has a wide range of uses in the wellness industry, particularly because of it’s beneficial effects on the skin.[1]

Physical and Chemical Characteristics

Coffea arabica is a broad leaf, evergreen plant that is native to tropical Africa but has been cultivated in warm weather areas globally. Its various uses make it one of the most traded commodities in the world. Coffee oil is a byproduct of the booming coffee beverage industry and can be either mechanically extracted, cold pressed or released with the help of solvents.

It is extracted from coffee beans which are seeds from the cherries or fruits on the trees. [2]

Coffee Seed Oil Fatty Acid Profile

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Health Benefits of Internal Use

While coffee oil is not usually consumed, it has been used as an aromatherapy oil for many years. It is used for its stimulating effects on the senses, which keep anxiety and depression at bay, improves energy levels and increases appetite. Its anti-inflammatory effects reduces signs of allergies and hastens healing.

Skin and Hair Care Benefits

Coffee oil contains high levels of vitamin E, phytosterols, antioxidants and essential fatty acids. They protect the skin from free radical damage and reduce the signs of ageing such as fine lines, wrinkles and sunspots or blemishes.

Studies have determined that microcapsules containing 10-30% of green coffee seed oil showed high activity against free radicals when compared to known antioxidants like alfa-tocopherol or vitamin E formulations.[4]

Research has shown that green coffee seed oil, when incubated with human skin cells called fibroblasts, resulted in increased levels in the production of collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycans (GAG), along with growth factors responsible for maintaining skin health. There were also increased levels of aquaglyceroporins-3 (AQP-3) found in the tested skin cells, which is known to decrease the loss of moisture from the skin. It suggests that green coffee oil may improve the physiological balance in the skin, while stimulating the growth of new connective tissue and preventing dehydration of the epidermal layer. [5]

The high concentration of omega 6 essential fatty acids like linoleic acid present in coffee seed oil, helps to retain the protective barrier on the skin that locks in moisture and prevents skin damage. It’s slightly acidic pH maintains the elasticity of the skin and reduces the chance of infections.

Conclusion

Coffee seed oil contains a variety of compounds that may benefit the skin, scalp, and hair and is used in various formulations for cosmetic uses as well as essential oils for aromatherapy.

References

1. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, March 2009, issue 1, pages 56-62

2. Ref: https://www.ncausa.org/About-Coffee/What-is-Coffee

3. Andrés Hurtado-Benavides, Daniela Dorado A., Andrea del Pilar Sánchez-Camargo,

Study of the fatty acid profile and the aroma composition of oil obtained from roasted Colombian coffee beans by supercritical fluid extraction, The Journal of Supercritical Fluids, Volume 113, 2016, Pages 44-52, ISSN 0896-8446, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.supflu.2016.03.008.

4. Anna B.F.L. Nosari, Juliana F. Lima, Osvaldo A. Serra, Luis Alexandre P. Freitas, Improved green coffee oil antioxidant activity for cosmetical purpose by spray drying microencapsulation, Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia, Volume 25, Issue 3, 2015, Pages 307-311, ISSN 0102-695X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjp.2015.04.006.

5. 5.Del Carmen Velazquez Pereda, M., De Campos Dieamant, G., Eberlin, S., Nogueira, C., Colombi, D., Di Stasi, L.C. and De Souza Queiroz, M.L. (2009), Effect of green Coffea arabica L. seed oil on extracellular matrix components and water-channel expression in in vitro and ex vivo human skin models. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 8: 56-62. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1473-2165.2009.00425.x