How to Make Coffee-Infused Oil

Coffee-infused oil has so many uses — and it's easier to make than you think.

The antioxidants in coffee, particularly vitamin E, make coffee-infused oil a wonderful base for skincare. It's the main ingredient in coffee lip balms (like the ones we tuck into orders during the holiday season), body butter, body scrubs, under-eye lotions, and body lotions.

Here's everything you need to make it at home.

What you'll need

• Organic ground coffee — decaf or regular (2 tablespoons)

• Carrier oil of your choice (4 oz) — coconut, olive, jojoba, argan, or sunflower all work. Coconut oil is naturally antifungal and antibacterial, but use what you prefer.

• A mason jar with a tight-fitting lid (at least 6 oz)

• Cheesecloth, a cold brew bag, or a fine mesh sieve for straining

• A slow cooker (for the warm method only)

Which coffee works best?

A medium roast with chocolate and nutty notes infuses beautifully — the flavor compounds extract well into the oil and the aroma is wonderful. We'd suggest our Decaf Brazil Cerrado or Decaf Colombia Huila. And yes — decaf works perfectly for infused oil. The caffeine content has no bearing on the antioxidants and flavor compounds that make coffee oil so useful.

Method 1: Warm Infusion (about 4 hours)

Faster and ideal if you're making a larger batch.

1. Add the ground coffee to your mason jar and pour the carrier oil over it.

2. Place a folded towel in the bottom of your slow cooker, then set the jar on top.

3. Fill the slow cooker with enough water to cover the bottom half of the jar.

4. Leave the slow cooker lid off. Set to low.

5. Let the oil and coffee infuse for 4 hours.

6. Turn off the heat. Using an oven mitt, carefully remove the jar.

7. Strain through cheesecloth or a fine mesh sieve. Discard the grounds.

8. Your oil is ready to use.

Method 2: Cold Infusion (2–3 weeks)

More patience required, but no equipment needed beyond the jar.

1. Combine the coffee grounds and carrier oil in the mason jar. Seal tightly.

2. Store in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.

3. Gently shake the jar every few days to keep the grounds moving.

4. After 2–3 weeks, strain through cheesecloth and discard the grounds.

5. Your cold-infused oil is ready.

What to make with it

Coffee-infused oil is the foundation for a huge range of DIY skincare. Pinterest is an excellent source for recipes — search "coffee oil body scrub," "coffee lip balm," or "coffee body butter" and you'll find plenty of starting points. These also make wonderful gifts, especially if you pair the finished product (or the infused oil itself) with a bag of fresh coffee.

— Carol