As more shoppers demand natural and sustainable cosmetics, Polish researchers have evaluated the possibility of incorporating used coffee grounds into cosmetic scrubs and examined the effectiveness of natural emulsifiers apricot kernel oil, soyalecithin, and olive oil to stabilize the emulsion.
Coffee is a product widely used in the food and drink industry. However, according to the study authors, only about 30% of the mass of coffee beans is transformed into a coffee drink. This means that most of the bean site, which is discarded primarily as waste, will end up as used coffee grounds.
The study, which aimed to investigate the physical properties, stability, and consumer perceptions of emulsions and scrubs, concluded that used coffee grounds are a good option for cosmetic applications with mild abrasive properties and a naturally pleasant aroma.
the study
For research, we dried and sieved used coffee grounds to achieve the optimal particle size for use with scrubs ranging from 150 to 300 micrometers.
Of the three emulsifiers tested, apricot kernel oil showed the most consistent stability and superior performance compared to soy lecithin and olive oil.
The emulsion made with apricot kernel oil emulsifier remained stable throughout the study period, effectively incorporating additional ingredients such as glycerin and castor oil.
In contrast, the soy lecithin emulsion was incompatible with other components and was stripped within a week.
The results also show that emulsifier choice directly affects the physical properties of cosmetic scrubs, including viscosity and texture.
Researchers concluded that a used coffee ground with apricot kernel oil emulsifiers in scrub formulations is the best choice of stable products to meet consumer preferences for natural and environmentally friendly ingredients.
Overall, the emulsion had a creamy texture and a pleasant coffee aroma. There were no significant changes in color or odor, and the samples remained sterile over the observation period, indicating good preservative efficacy and formulation safety.
Source: Cosmetics
https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/12/1/31
“Preparing a cosmetic scrub base from coffee waste and environmentally friendly emulsifiers”
Waldemar Szaferski and Marcin Janczarek
First published on February 19, 2025
