The cosmetics revolution

NEW PRODUCT / SOLUTION

Cosmetic oils and creams

APPLICATION SECTOR

Cosmetics

VALORIZED OUTPUT

Spent coffee grounds

TRL

Deploy

CONTEXT

Global

SDG

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VALUE CHAIN AREA

Spent coffee grounds can be repurposed for cosmetics use, since for example they contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that can make them suitable for facial masks. Also, the caffeine content in coffee grounds can help improve circulation and can be used to target dark circles, uneven skin tone and as cellulite treatments. The process to extract the beneficial compounds is the following:

  • Once the spent coffee grounds have been dried, they must be grinded into a fine powder and then, with a suitable solvent (water, ethanol or oil), the desired compounds can be extracted from the coffee grounds.
  • After the extraction process, the liquid extract must be separated from the solid grounds using filtration, in order to remove any impurity.
  • The concentrated extract can therefore be incorporated into the selected cosmetic formulations, such as lotions, creams, or masks.

DESCRIPTION

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IMPACTS

Environmental Impact
Social Impact
Economical Impact

Coffee grounds can vary in consistency and particle size, potentially affecting the texture of the cosmetic products. Also, spent coffee grounds can be contaminated with bacteria and mold, and therefore proper processing and preservation methods are essential to ensure the products safety.
Moreover, the efficient extraction of compounds such as caffeine requires specialized techniques in order to prevent degradation or loss of potency.

CHALLENGES AND LIMITS

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EXAMPLES OF APPLICATION