What Is Coffee?

Coffee’s active ingredient caffeine has been found to have great cosmetic benefits. The beans of the two cultivated coffee plants, Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora, the leaves of the tea plant, and kola nuts are the most important sources of caffeine. 

Caffeine was discovered in 1819 by Friedlieb Runge, a German chemist who purified the compound from an Arabian Mocha Bean. Caffeine is now the most commonly used psychoactive substance on the planet. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant that is commonly used in coffee and tea. Furthermore, caffeine has been found in over sixty different plant species.

In addition to the energy-boosting properties of caffeine, there are some advantages of adding caffeine topically. It is unclear when caffeine first appeared in the skincare industry. However, over 140 caffeine-containing skincare items were released in the United States in 2006, compared to only 21 in 2003.

How Coffee Works?

Caffeine is widely being used in cosmetics and skincare products due to its ability to reach the skin barrier and provide benefits such as reducing visible symptoms of ageing, enhancing circulation, and acting as an antioxidant source.

What Coffee Does To The Skin?

Caffeine's roles in skincare and beauty products are dependent on its ability to scavenge free radicals, increase circulation and protect the skin from sun damage.

• Antioxidant Properties: Caffeine has certain antioxidant properties. Free radicals are neutralised by antioxidants. When the skin is exposed to UV rays, environmental pollution, and even certain food, smoking, and alcohol, free radicals are created. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that can destroy vital cellular components such as DNA, cell membranes, proteins, and so on, causing ageing symptoms. Hence, antioxidants are vital to maintaining the skin and overall body health.

• Reduces Darkness Around The Eyes: Caffeine is naturally a stimulant. When caffeine is added to the skin, it induces vasoconstriction, or constriction of the blood vessels.This role helps to reduce the amount of blood that accumulates under the eyes, which is thought to be a significant contributor to dark circles. Furthermore, vasoconstriction may firm the skin by removing excess fluids and possibly stimulating the lymphatic drainage mechanism. Caffeine-containing eye creams are believed to help minimise dark circles and puffiness.

• Cellulite-treating Properties: Caffeine is often used as an active ingredient in anti-cellulite treatments because it inhibits unnecessary fat deposition in cells. Caffeine dehydrates fat cells and improves circulation, making the skin look thinner and cleaner.

Reference Sources

• Rosado C, Tokunaga VK, Sauce R, et al. Another Reason for Using Caffeine in Dermocosmetics: Sunscreen Adjuvant. Front Physiol. 2019;10:519. Published 2019 May 3.
• Li YF, Ouyang SH, Tu LF, et al. Caffeine Protects Skin from Oxidative Stress-Induced Senescence through the Activation of Autophagy. Theranostics. 2018;8(20):5713-5730. Published 2018 Nov 10.