The technological core of KOFEA
From recycled coffee to active skincare ingredients.
CORE•K is KOFEA’s proprietary ingredient system.
A scientifically designed framework that transforms spent coffee grounds into stable, functional, and active skincare ingredients—combining antioxidant performance with circular thinking.
CORE•K is not a single extract.
It is the technological foundation behind every KOFEA product.
It was developed to:
CORE•K functions as a system, not as an isolated ingredient.
It is where science, sustainability, and skin performance meet in practice.
Giving coffee a second life—with purpose
Spent coffee grounds are often treated as waste, despite being an exceptionally rich raw material.
At KOFEA, upcycling is not a trend. It is a deliberate design choice.
Through CORE•K, we:
Each batch of spent coffee is collected from local partners, giving value to what was once considered “unused.”
CORE•K was born through scientific research—not by chance.
In collaboration with Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), an in-depth study was conducted to evaluate the potential of spent coffee grounds to produce a stable, effective, and clean cosmetic active.
The research investigated:
Outcome:
An extract with high phenolic content (up to 1460 mg GAE / 100 g) and strong antioxidant activity, comparable to premium natural active ingredients.
Clean science. Clean care.
CORE•K was developed following green chemistry principles and biocompatible extraction methods.
The extraction processes included:
Both methods:
The use of DES further enhanced stability due to its naturally low pH (~2), while ultrasound-assisted extraction improved phenolic yield.
Stability that was measured—not promised
CORE•K stability was evaluated through accelerated aging testing
(1 month at 45°C).
Results showed that:
In simple terms:
CORE•K remains active and effective—even under demanding conditions.
What does all this science mean in practice?
CORE•K:
✔ helps protect against oxidative stress (UV exposure, pollution, blue light)
✔ supports brightness and overall skin appearance
✔ contributes to the smoothing of fine lines
✔ offers toning benefits thanks to caffeine
✔ is vegan, naturally derived, and sustainably produced
✔ is fully compatible with clean beauty formulations
It is not just another extract.
It is the technological core of KOFEA.
