coffee-tea
Coffee Face Scrub with Rosehip Oil
UpCircle leads the category in sustainability by using upcycled Arabica coffee grounds from London cafes, which retain high antioxidant levels. The formulation is balanced with rosehip and chamomile oils to prevent the micro-tears often associated with inferior physical exfoliants.
Quality & Materials
Features 100% Arabica coffee grounds. Includes Shea butter and Rosehip oil to restore the lipid barrier during exfoliation. No plastic microbeads or synthetic preservatives.
Evidence & Testing
Coffee grounds provide mechanical exfoliation while the caffeine content provides temporary skin tightening. Upcycling process is verified to maintain antioxidant integrity.
Brand Transparency
B-Corp certified. They provide a full impact report and clear sourcing for their 'waste' ingredients. All products are handmade in the UK.
Value Assessment
Mid-range pricing but high value due to the quality of the carrier oils (Rosehip, Sea Buckthorn) which are typically expensive on their own.
Why Not Alternatives?
Many coffee scrubs use low-grade, dry grounds that are too abrasive for the face or contain synthetic fragrances. UpCircle uses 'damp' upcycled grounds which are softer and richer in residual caffeine than virgin dry grounds.
Sources & References
More in Skincare
CeraVe
Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Gentle, non-stripping, maintains skin barrier. Dermatologist-developed and recommended.
Differin
Adapalene Gel 0.1%
Only prescription-strength retinoid available OTC. FDA-approved for acne. Less irritating than tretinoin. Direct retinoic acid receptor binding—no conversion needed.
EltaMD
UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
Widely considered the gold standard for sensitive and acne-prone skin, utilizing high-purity transparent zinc oxide combined with niacinamide to calm inflammation. It is one of the few sunscreens that consistently maintains a high-performance profile without triggering breakouts or leaving a heavy residue.
La Roche-Posay
Anthelios Melt-in Milk Sunscreen SPF 60
This product consistently achieves perfect scores in independent lab testing for actual SPF delivery versus labeled SPF. Its Cell-Ox Shield technology provides a potent antioxidant complex that mitigates free radical damage beyond just UV filtration.