Get your buzz on, girl.
It’s time to add some caffeine to your skincare routine! That’s right, friends. That cup of joe isn’t just for sipping anymore.
In this week’s ingredient breakdown, we’re giving you the inside scoop on why caffeine is the latest and greatest trendsetter in the beauty world.
So sit back, relax, grab that hot cup of morning coffee, and let’s get into it!
What does caffeine do for your skin?
There’s A LOT of hype around the effects that caffeine (when applied topically) has on the skin. Reduce puffy eyes, decrease the appearance of cellulite, perk up your skin…etc. etc. But what can it really do?
Turns out, caffeine-infused skincare products can:
- Stimulate circulation
- Fight off free radicals
- Act as an antioxidant
- Soothe irritated skin
Being that caffeine is a great antioxidant, you’ll find it in a lot of moisturizers to help fight off the effects of pollution and UV rays. It’s also used in eye creams to help reduce puffiness and dark circles because caffeine is a stimulant that narrows blood vessels. And speaking of narrowing blood vessels, this is the reason why it’s used to soothe redness caused by rosacea.
However!
(There’s always a “but”, right?)
Caffeine is not your end-all-be-all. While it may provide instant gratification, it isn’t a long-term solution for puffy eyes, cellulite, dark circles and irritated skin. For that my friends, you have to do the work from the inside out! Reduce stress, get better quality sleep, remove irritating foods from your diet…you know the drill.
Is drinking coffee good for my skin?
Like I said, everything in moderation! Being that coffee is a great stimulant and antioxidant, your skin can actually benefit from your *morning* brew. The key here is making sure you avoid drinking coffee in the afternoon because this can lead to heightened stress and restless sleep. And we all know what a difference a good night’s sleep can make when it comes to your skin!
Also, coffee is most effective when consumed in its purest form, so opt out of cream and sugar and enjoy your coffee black.
Recently, I’ve swapped my morning coffee for a cup of matcha (a.k.a. green tea) instead. Green tea is another amazing antioxidant, and I find that it doesn’t give me the jitters like coffee usually does. I’ll still drink coffee on the weekends or when I’m on vacation…because I could NEVER fully give it up! But I do recommend you guys give matcha a try for a week and see what happens.
Morning Matcha Recipe:
- Boil water in a tea kettle until it gets to 165-170F.
- While the water is boiling, scoop 1/2 tsp of matcha into your favorite mug and add a few sprinkle of cinnamon on top.
- Pour the hot water over the matcha and cinnamon and use a frother to mix.
- Enjoy!
Which caffeine beauty products are worth trying?
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
- Price: $6.70
- Shop: Ulta
- Perks: Reduces under-eye puffiness | Reduces the appearance of dark circles | Cruelty-free | Vegan |Formulated without alcohol, oil, silicones, nuts, or gluten
Frank Body Original Coffee Scrub
- Price: $18.95
- Shop: Nordstrom
- Perks: Buffs away dry, flaky skin, scars and marks | Free of sulfates, phthalates, parabens, petrochemicals, mineral oil, silicone and talc | Cruelty-free | Vegan
Give these a shot and let us know how it goes!
