Caffeine is a natural stimulant that alters brain chemicals in the central nervous system, resulting in increased alertness and energy. Coffee and tea are often people’s preferred sources of caffeine, but caffeine has also become a popular ingredient in skincare products such as eye creams, serums, and cellulite creams.
Caffeinated skincare products often promise to “energize” or “wake up” your skin, but that’s not quite the same as drinking an espresso. When applied to the skin, caffeine primarily helps to improve circulation, helping to eliminate puffiness under the eyes. As a result, caffeine skincare products may help make dull, puffy eyes look more awake.
However, these potential benefits of caffeine skincare products are temporary. There is also very limited research on the actual effects of caffeine skincare products, and the results are mixed. Here’s how caffeinated skincare products can benefit your skin.
Can Reduce Puffiness of Dark Circles
If you’re experiencing eye bags due to lack of sleep, caffeine eye cream may help temporarily reduce puffiness that makes you look tired. Please note: Caffeine eye cream cannot help with puffiness of the eyes caused by genetics or health issues. When you don’t get enough sleep, you receive less oxygenated blood under your eyes, which makes your skin look blue and puffy. Studies have shown that topical caffeine can stimulate blood circulation around the eyes, which may help improve dark circles and eye bags.
A 2015 study found that caffeine pads containing emu oil and vitamin K helped eliminate puffy eyes and reduce dark circles. However, vitamin K can also improve circulation, and emu oil can moisturize the skin. A small study in 35 people also found that the cooling effect of caffeine eye gel, rather than the increased blood circulation of caffeine, helped eliminate puffy eyes.
Can Reduce Photodamage, Fine Lines, And Wrinkles
Caffeine has antioxidant properties, and adding it to skincare products can help protect your skin from the damaging effects of oxidative stress. Basically every day, your skin is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and pollutants that produce molecules called free radicals. These molecules trigger oxidative stress, damage cells and tissues, and break down the skin’s collagen, leading to fine lines, wrinkles, and other photodamage (sun damage).
Studies have found that caffeine can help protect skin cells from UV radiation and slow down sun damage that causes wrinkles. But don’t start replacing your daily sunscreen with caffeine cream. At best, caffeine creams can help reduce damaging free radicals that cause premature aging. Still, more reliable studies are needed to prove that the antioxidant content of caffeine has a long-lasting effect against UV damage and oxidative stress.
Can Reduce the Appearance of Cellulite
When fat cells bulge out of the connective tissue under the skin, the skin on the buttocks, thighs, or abdomen becomes bumpy, called cellulite. Smoothing lotions and cellulite creams often contain caffeine, which helps reduce the appearance of cellulite, but these products do not eliminate cellulite.
Some studies have found that by improving blood flow, caffeine may help remove fatty acids from fat and dissolve fat underneath the skin, resulting in smoother skin. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, caffeine creams can also dehydrate the water in fat cells. This effect may fade the appearance of cellulite, making it less noticeable.
However, caffeine cellulite creams have little research and a long history, and often contain other ingredients that may be more beneficial for cellulite. For example, a 12-week study found that women experienced a reduction in the appearance of cellulite after using a caffeine cream containing retinol, a known skin-smoothing ingredient.
Side Effects of Caffeine in Skincare Products
Since caffeine can increase blood circulation to the skin, caffeine creams may cause redness. If you have sensitive skin, products with high levels of caffeine may also sting or burn. If you notice any uncomfortable stinging or redness, stop using products that contain caffeine.
Always do a patch test before applying a new skincare product to avoid any potential unpleasant reactions. Apply a small amount of product to the inside of your wrist and wait a few hours to see how your skin reacts.
Can You Use Too Much Caffeine Skincare Products?
Caffeine-added skincare products are generally considered safe and should not significantly increase caffeine intake. Most skincare products have a low caffeine content (about 3%). Therefore, although caffeine can penetrate the skin barrier, it is highly unlikely that topical creams will contain enough caffeine to cause significant side effects or caffeine toxicity. Concentrated caffeine powders and liquids are the main culprits for people’s intake of toxic caffeine.
Pregnant women should also consult with a healthcare provider before using caffeine skincare products. While topical caffeine is unlikely to cause any problems during pregnancy, there isn’t enough research to prove it’s safe. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant women keep their caffeine intake below 200 milligrams (mg) per day, or about 2 cups of coffee. Caffeine-added skincare products may add extra caffeine to your bloodstream, which may increase the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight.
How to Use It
If you’re using caffeine eye creams, serums, or moisturizers to brighten your skin or eliminate puffiness, use it in the morning for best results. When applying the eye cream, use your ring finger to gently apply the product under the eyes.
Since the skin-smoothing effects of caffeine are temporary, it will also bring more noticeable results if you use a cellulite cream in the morning.
At Last
Caffeine in skincare products is not a panacea for wrinkles and dark circles. However, caffeine eye creams and serums may help temporarily eliminate puffiness around the eyes and reduce fine lines. Caffeine creams also don’t eliminate cellulite and only help the skin look smoother.
Just like a cup of coffee, these benefits of caffeine skincare are temporary. For more skin benefits, look for products that contain skin-rejuvenating ingredients like vitamin C and hyaluronic acid.
