You’re probably already accustomed to consuming your caffeine daily, but if you’ve paid close attention to skincare products lately, you might have noticed this buzz-inducing ingredient appearing more frequently on labels.

Caffeine is a naturally-occurring compound found in various plants, such as coffee beans and tea leaves, but it actually possesses stimulant properties that can impact the skin when applied externally. If you’ve been curious about how to include this ingredient in your routine, or wondering if it can truly make a noticeable difference on your skin, we’re explaining everything you need to know about applying caffeine externally for tangible results.

“Caffeine can have multiple effects when applied to the skin externally,” says Adriana Lombardi, MD and founder of the Skin Cancer and Cosmetic Surgery Center of New Jersey. “It’s a topical vasoconstrictor, so it can aid in tightening the skin and reducing redness. Caffeine also functions as a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent when applied externally, which can help shield against UV damage and decrease photo damage.” Here’s everything you need to know about caffeine in skincare.

The Advantages of Caffeine in Skincare

Caffeine awakens your body internally, so it makes sense that it could “awaken” the appearance of your skin. And according to Dr. Lombardi, it may help address skin concerns such as dark circles, puffiness, and even cellulite.

May Decrease Eye Puffiness and Appearance of Cellulite

As mentioned earlier, caffeine is a potent vasoconstrictor, meaning that it narrows blood vessels by constricting them, which restricts blood flow. This is beneficial when aiming to reduce puffiness under the eyes or anywhere on your face. Its ability to penetrate the skin’s protective barrier makes targeting skin concerns even more effective. However, caffeine (along with retinoids) can enhance skin elasticity and collagen production, but when studied, these ingredients were found to have limited effects on the appearance of cellulite. Further research is required before fully confirming this.

Provides Anti-Aging and Skin-Firming Effects

Caffeine is a potent antioxidant that possesses effective anti-aging properties. Antioxidants help defend the skin against free radicals such as environmental pollution and UV rays that can age the skin over time.

Coffee has both anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties,” elucidates Dr. Lombardi. “When administered externally, antioxidants aid in shielding against any sun-induced harm and alleviating discoloration by obstructing oxidative stress.

Possible Adverse Reactions and Precautions

If you possess sensitive skin or skin that’s highly responsive and prone to redness, you may wish to avoid incorporating caffeine as an ingredient in your skincare products. As indicated by Dr. Lombardi, “products that induce constriction of the blood vessels can theoretically have a rebound effect which can actually amplify redness after the initial constriction wears off.”

And as always, it’s vital to conduct a patch examination on a small area of your skin before commencing use of any new skincare product. It’s a splendid notion to consult with a healthcare provider before introducing a fresh product to your routine to ensure compatibility with your existing products and to avert any unexpected inflammation or irritation.

Introducing Caffeine into Skincare Products

You can discover caffeine as an active component in numerous skincare products, including oils, creams, and serums. Nevertheless, caffeine is most prevalent in eye creams since it can aid in promoting blood circulation and consequently tighten the skin in that specific area (where the skin is thinnest).

If hyperpigmentation is problematic for you, Dr. Lombardi suggests using the AOX Eye Gel serum by Skinceuticals for combatting dark circles. “It incorporates an abundance of antioxidants to reverse hyperpigmentation and forestall aging, along with caffeine to mitigate puffiness,” she states.

Purchase It: SkinCeuticals AOX Eye Gel, $104, Skinceuticals.com

If you aspire to enhance collagen production and boost lymphatic flow, Skinmedica’s Firm and Tone Cream serves as an exceptional choice. Enthusiasts apply it to their arms post-shower to maintain a taut appearance and deter sagging. Since it incorporates caffeine and a blend of additional agents that stimulate collagen like green microalgae and shitake mushrooms, it bestows potent and evident effects on the skin.

Purchase It: SkinMedica Firm & Tone Lotion, $165, SkinMedica.com

Tarte’s Wink of H20 eye cream is yet another preferred choice that boasts caffeine content. It also comprises peptides and avocado oil, which possess a high concentration of vitamins A, B1, B2, D, and more.

Sephora

Purchase It: Tarte Sea Wink of H2O, $35, TarteCosmetics.com

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