Mix coffee with vinegar: The reason why all women in France do this

🔍 What the claims are

According to sites that promote DIY beauty and natural remedies, the coffee + vinegar mix is said to be used by French women for:

Exfoliating the skin (coffee grounds) to remove dead cells, brighten skin.  

Using apple cider vinegar (or other vinegars) to balance skin pH, help with acne, reduce pores, smooth skin texture.  

As a hair rinse or scalp tonic: to remove product build-up, enhance shine, possibly deepen color for brunette hair.  

As a home cleaning / deodorizing trick (used coffee grounds + vinegar for neutralizing odors or cleaning surfaces).  

⚠️ What evidence is there?

The claims are mostly anecdotal or from “natural remedy” / wellness blogs, not from scientific studies. I couldn’t find credible clinical trials proving that French women traditionally do this or that it has strong proven benefits.

Some “beauty tips/tricks in France” marketing copy tends to exaggerate (e.g. implying “this is a French secret” to sound chic). The sources are not always reliable, and many seem republished or duplicated across many blogs.

✅ What 

might

 actually work (and risks)

What could work:

Coffee grounds are mild exfoliants. Gently rubbing them can help remove dead skin cells and make skin feel smoother.

Vinegar (especially diluted apple cider vinegar) does have acidic properties; small amounts may help balance skin pH, have mild antiseptic or cleansing effects.

A hair rinse with vinegar can help close the hair cuticle, giving shine; coffee may stain lightly (for brunette tones) or just add aroma.

What to watch out for / risks:

Vinegar is acidic. Undiluted or left on too long, it can irritate sensitive skin.

Coffee grounds are abrasive; if used too roughly or too often, they can damage skin.

Possible staining: both coffee and dark vinegars could stain porous surfaces, fabric, or even hair (if light).

Smell: coffee + vinegar isn’t the most pleasant scent for some.

💡 Practical suggestions if you want to try it

If you want to experiment safely:

Do a patch test: apply a small amount behind the ear or on the jawline, leave for e.g. 5-10 minutes, rinse, see if there’s irritation.

Use diluted vinegar (for example 1-2 tsp of apple cider vinegar in ½ cup of water) rather than full strength.

Use cooled coffee (used coffee grounds or brewed coffee cooled) rather than hot.

Don’t use on broken skin or open wounds.

Limit frequency: once a week or every 10 days for exfoliation, or every few washes for hair rinse.

🚫 So: Is it 

true

 “all women in France do this”?

Probably not. There is no credible evidence that this is a widespread or traditional practice among French women. The story appears to be more of an internet / wellness-blog trope: a “natural beauty hack” dressed up with a French angle to make it seem more appealing.