We are talking about the fourth most widely used drug in the world. And yep, we do owe a great debt to an Ethiopian goat herder Kaldi. He noticed his goats dancing around while high on coffee berries and the rest is history!
These days caffeine has found its way beyond your favorite mug, as the skincare market is buzzing with new caffeine-based products. But why the sudden interest, you may ask? Well, thanks to the renewed interest of skincare brands in centuries-old home remedies and the calming benefits of caffeine on our skin.
The science behind how caffeine energizes your skin:
Caffeine is a good antioxidant and vasoconstrictor. In simple terms, it reduces blood flow to red, puffy, or an inflamed skin, thus soothing the skin instantly. As a microcirculation enhancer it aids in dissolving cellulite and reduces ingrown hair. Additionally, coffee contains chlorogenic acid (CGA), which helps prevent hyperpigmentation. Caffeine exfoliates dead skin cells and helps get rid of blackheads, tan, and impurities. Moreover, it polishes the skin and does a deep cleansing of pores leaving your skin smooth and glowing. The perfectly sized raw coffee particles are very effective yet gentle on your skin.
Cutting to the chase, do caffeine skincare products actually work?
While there aren’t any clinical studies that particularly count caffeine as a great brightening agent, caffeine does make for a good under-eye cream by reducing fine lines and dark circles. In a nutshell, caffeine-containing products have proven effective for some concerns such as rosacea and dark circles, and not very effective in some hair and body care concerns.
It is important to keep in mind that topical caffeinated products’ benefits are temporary and just because a product claims it contains caffeine, that doesn’t mean it will give you the benefits you’re looking for. In order for caffeine to be effective, it must be applied in high-concentration doses. Here is a tip for choosing the right caffeine brand; look for a medical-grade product instead of clinically proven or pro-grade.
The best part about caffeine skincare is that there are a plethora of products you can make at your home kitchen itself. So here are our two favorite DIY caffeine skin care regimes:
Eye cream: To 1 part freshly ground coffee add 4 parts coconut oil. Cover and let sit overnight.
Strain with a nut milk bag, tea sock, or metal strainer. Your caffeine eye cream is ready!
Body and face scrub: To 1/2 cup fresh ground coffee add 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup coconut oil, and 1 tsp. vanilla extract. Mix until well combined. Apply your homemade scrub generously and leave it on for a few minutes.
