Fact Check: Can This DIY Mask Completely Eliminate Wrinkles?

Claim

An Instagram post claims that a homemade mask made of cornstarch, coffee, honey, and baking soda completely eliminates wrinkles. The Instagram user backpainmyth posted a reel stating, "Women of 60 years old. They look 30 years old when they apply this cream that completely eliminates their wrinkles, expression lines at the edge of the mouth, and all the wrinkles on the neck." then goes on explaining the remedy of making this cream, that further states, "Start by adding a tablespoon of corn starch, then add a tablespoon of coffee. Now, we will add five tablespoons of honey and mix the honey, now, we will add a pinch of baking soda and our mask is ready. Apply this mask with a clean and dry face in the mornings or at night and let it act for 10 minutes, then rinse off."

The post can be accessed here.

Fact Check

The claim is False. Cornstarch, coffee, honey, and baking soda have beneficial properties for the skin but do not completely eliminate wrinkles. While coffee and honey may help reduce wrinkle formation, there is no evidence that these ingredients, individually or together, can erase wrinkles entirely.

What Are Wrinkles?

Wrinkles are lines or folds that appear on the skin as we age and are one of the most noticeable signs of ageing. Small, shallow wrinkles (less than 1 mm deep) are called fine wrinkles, while deeper, more pronounced ones (1 mm or more) are known as coarse wrinkles. Wrinkles can form due to natural ageing, changes in hormones, or certain health conditions. They can also be caused by external factors like too much sun exposure and smoking. Over time, these factors make the skin thinner, less elastic, and more fragile, leading to visible lines and creases. Common types include frown lines on the forehead, lines between the eyebrows, crow’s feet at the corners of the eyes, and wrinkles around the mouth, such as smile lines, upper lip wrinkles, and lines that run from the corners of the mouth down to the chin.

What are the Health Benefits of Cornstarch, Coffee, Honey, and Baking Soda?

Corn is a major grain crop used in food, animal feed, and industrial products. Corn starch, a fine, white powder, is widely used in food processing, adhesives, cosmetics, and medicines. A special type, high-amylose corn starch, is used in textiles, biodegradable plastics, and food. It contains resistant starch (RS), which may help lower blood sugar and reduce colon cancer risk. With its diverse applications, corn starch is both an important industrial ingredient and a beneficial food additive.

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages worldwide and contains beneficial compounds like antioxidants, caffeine, and essential minerals such as potassium and magnesium. For centuries, it has been known to aid digestion and increase heart rate. When consumed in moderation, coffee helps lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and liver disease. With its rich chemical composition and health benefits, coffee can be a valuable addition to a balanced diet.

Honey is a natural product made by honeybees from flower nectar and has been used by humans for over 5,500 years. It is rich in carbohydrates, which make up most of its dry weight, along with proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Honey contains natural sugars like fructose and glucose, which provide energy and health benefits. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties and supports heart, digestive, respiratory, and nervous system health. Honey is also valued in skincare and medicine for its healing properties.

Baking soda, also called sodium bicarbonate, is a common alkaline substance used in baking, medicine, and sports. It helps dough rise by producing carbon dioxide, making it essential for baking cakes and bread. In medicine, it is used to treat indigestion, reduce acid reflux, and manage conditions like kidney disease and high potassium levels. Athletes use it to improve performance by reducing muscle fatigue. Baking soda also has benefits for heart health, digestion, and metabolism. When used in moderation, baking soda can be beneficial in many ways.

Can a homemade mask made of Cornstarch, Coffee, Honey, and Baking Soda Completely Eliminate Wrinkles?

Cornstarch, coffee, honey, and baking soda provide various health benefits, such as helping regulate blood sugar, offering antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties, aiding digestion, lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes, reducing acid reflux, and supporting kidney health. Studies suggest that coffee and honey may help reduce wrinkles, and all these ingredients contribute to skin health. However, there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus supporting the claim that a homemade mask made from these ingredients can completely eliminate wrinkles.

A study published in the journal Jurnal Tata Rias dan Kecantikan concludes that corn starch is rich in vitamins A, B1, and C, which support skin health and hydration. But, the study does not establish a direct link between corn starch and wrinkle reduction.

Coffee has been found to have some effect on wrinkle reduction. A review in the Galore International Journal of Health Sciences and Research concludes that coffee extract acts as an antioxidant in treating photoaging, helping to reduce wrinkles and improve skin hydration. Again, the study does not claim that coffee eliminates wrinkles.

Honey plays a role in maintaining youthful skin and reducing wrinkle formation, as highlighted in a review published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, making it a valuable ingredient in cosmetic formulations. The study does not mention the role of honey in completely eliminating wrinkles.

No studies specifically mention the role of baking soda in reducing wrinkles. A review published in the Journal of Integrative Dermatology highlights that sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) has antimicrobial properties and may help treat skin conditions such as psoriasis and aquagenic pruritus. While the study recognizes its potential as a dermatological agent, it does not suggest that baking soda can completely eliminate wrinkles.

Studies highlight the role of cornstarch, coffee, honey, and baking soda in supporting skin health, with coffee and honey contributing to wrinkle reduction. However, no research confirms that these ingredients, either individually or combined, can completely eliminate wrinkles. Additionally, there is no consensus within the medical community supporting the claim that a homemade mask made from cornstarch, coffee, honey, and baking soda can entirely remove wrinkles.

Dr. Asha Zacharia, Consultant Dermatology & Cosmetology, KIMSHEALTH Trivandrum told Medical Dialogues, "DIY face masks are made using readily available ingredients at home to give the skin a rejuvenated look. A combination of coffee, cornstarch, and honey has a very limited anti-wrinkle effect, even with regular biweekly use. They are unlikely to completely eliminate wrinkles. For significant wrinkle reduction, professional treatments like Botox or laser sessions are needed."

Dr Saji Firoz, MBBS, MD (Dermatology), Dermatology & Cosmetology Consultant at KIMSHEALTH, Trivandrum added, "Coffee, corn starch, and honey has an anti-wrinkle effect on regular-bi-weekly use. They are unlikely to completely eliminate wrinkles. For significant wrinkle reduction , professional treatments like botox or laser sessions are needed. Coffee with its antioxidants firms the skin, fights free radicals to reverse skin damage and decreases hyper-pigmentation. It has an abrasive effect on sensitive skin. Corn starch absorbs excess sebum and provides a mattifying effect. But it can cause excess skin dryness and clog the pores. Honey moisturises skin and improves elasticity. It has enzymes to promote skin regeneration. But it is sticky and non- comedogenic. Baking soda exfoliates and balances skin. But it can cause skin irritation. Scientific evidence supporting the claim as an anti wrinkle eliminator is limited."

Health Dialogues Final Take

A homemade mask made from cornstarch, coffee, honey, and baking soda cannot completely eliminate wrinkles. While these ingredients have properties that support skin health, such as hydration and antioxidants, their effects are limited. Coffee and honey may help reduce wrinkle formation, but there is no evidence that these ingredients, individually or combined, can erase wrinkles entirely. For effective wrinkle management, consulting a dermatologist is recommended.

Hence the claim that homemade masks made from cornstarch, coffee, honey, and baking soda can entirely remove wrinkles is False.