Caffeine’s energy-boosting properties are well-known and revered, but did you know that caffeine offers other health benefits as well? Studies show caffeine can boost memory, increase focus, and improve physical performance during exercise. But that’s not all. Caffeine and skin care are also closely related, and you’ll be pleased to learn your morning cup of java packs a nice antioxidant punch with visible benefits.
Experts consistently weigh in on whether caffeine is bad for you or not as the stimulant has been shown to temporarily increase blood pressure and can contribute to sleep disruptions. However, some may argue the benefits of caffeine far outweigh the drawbacks.
What is Caffeine and How Does it Work?
Caffeine is a natural stimulant found in coffee and tea. It is also found in cacao plants. Once consumed, caffeine is absorbed into the bloodstream. It is filtered out through the liver and broken into various elements that travel through the bloodstream. When these elements reach your brain, they impact the central nervous system by increasing alertness.
The science behind it is quite fascinating. Caffeine compounds connect to adenosine receptors in your brain. Instead of activating these receptors, caffeine effectively blocks them. This makes you less tired. With adenosine receptors blocked, dopamine and norepinephrine production increases slightly. Caffeine is also linked to increasing blood adrenaline levels, adding to its energetic properties.
However, an overdose of caffeine may cause adverse side effects including but not limited to anxiety, nervousness, tremors, rapid heartbeat, and feeling “on edge.” Most adults can safely consume up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day.
Ultimately, it takes about an hour for your body to experience the maximum effects of caffeine after consumption. The downside is the energetic effects do not last long as the body works quickly to eliminate caffeine through digestive processes and urinary waste. Caffeine can also act as a diuretic, causing frequent urges to urinate.
Caffeine can help alleviate pain, especially pain or discomfort from tension headaches, migraines, or headaches after surgery. But that is not all, your skin may also benefit from caffeine in a variety of ways.
How Caffeine Benefits Your Skin
The benefits of caffeine can also go skin deep. That’s right, a little pick-me-up java jolt might do wonders for your skin, except instead of consuming a beverage or food with caffeine, you may want to consider applying it to your skin. You may want to read this before you throw that filter full of used coffee grounds away. Let’s take a look at some of the many ways caffeine benefits your skin.
- Reduces puffiness. When applied topically to the skin, caffeine may reduce puffiness while improving circulation under the surface. You can apply products containing caffeine daily to maintain results.
- Reduces wrinkles. Believe it or not, caffeine may also reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by tightening the skin.
- Reduces redness. Constricting blood vessels can prevent redness in the skin and that is exactly what caffeine does.
- Brightens the skin. Caffeine can increase blood flow to the skin. This improved circulation and produces a natural, healthy glow.
- Gets rid of inflammation. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) and melanoidins found in coffee have anti-inflammatory effects. CGA can also reduce hyperpigmentation.
- Reduces cellulite. Since caffeine dilates blood vessels beneath the skin and improves blood flow and circulation, it may also help decrease the appearance of cellulite, or fat deposits under the skin.
- Helps with collagen production. Green coffee bean oil may increase collagen and elastin production, two natural components that slow down production as we age but are necessary for a youthful and radiant skin glow.
- Acne treatment. The CGAs in coffee do not just have anti-inflammatory elements, these powerful acids also have antibacterial properties. You can find a natural exfoliation with coffee grounds that can smooth your skin while pumping some antibacterial elements into your pores to help reduce the appearance of acne.
- Dark circle removal. Those pesky blood vessels are prime contributors to dark undereye circles. Since caffeine helps dilate the blood vessels, it may also help reduce the appearance of dark undereye circles, especially when placed on the skin as a serum or eye cream.
- After-sun aftercare. Coffee can be used to treat skin after prolonged sun exposure. Simply brew a cup of coffee and dilute it with Use a clean towel to dab the coffee onto your skin. Repeat daily until swelling and redness are no longer detectable.
- Reduces effects of photoaging. Photoaging is premature aging caused by overexposure to the sun or sun damage. Sunspots, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, fine lines, and thin skin are all effects of photoaging. Caffeine effectively helps reduce these maladies, turning back the clock on photoaging.
- May help prevent skin cancer. Coffee is packed with vitamin B3 (niacin). Skin cancer experts say niacin may prevent nonmelanoma skin cancers and even prevent other skin growths.
Caffeine and skin care have quite a beneficial relationship and caffeine certainly has earned its place at the health enhancement table. Caffeine is a very safe ingredient to utilize topically, and side effects or skin reactions are tremendously rare. With so much caffeine goodness out there, you may be wondering what skin care products containing caffeine are right for you.
How to Use Caffeine in Skin Care
Caffeine can be used topically in creams, serums, and exfoliating scrubs. There are many beauty products on the market which contain caffeine. However, you may consider making your own products to reap the benefits of caffeine and skin care.
- This DIY coffee mask requires face oil, coffee grounds, a bowl, spoon, and eyedropper. Simply add your favorite facial oil or serum to two teaspoons of fresh coffee grounds and mix. After washing your face, apply the coffee mask to your face, carefully avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 10 minutes and then rinse with warm water. Apply several drops of your favorite facial oil to your skin for rehydration.
- Treat your feet to a java soak! If you have rough heels, a simple java soak can help with cell regeneration and smooth harsh, and calloused skin. Fill a tub with brewed coffee. Add an additional ½ cup of coffee grounds. Soak your feet for about 15 minutes. Before you rinse off, rub your heels into the coffee grounds for a minute.
- You can make your own caffeine eye serum recipe to reduce puffiness and dark circles around your eyes. All you need is ½ oz. avocado oil, ½ oz. sweet almond oil, 8 drops of coffee essential oil, and 4 drops of vanilla essential oil. Combine the ingredients in a bottle.
- Along the same lines, you can also create your very own coffee-infused eye cream. For this recipe you’ll need ¼ cup beeswax, ¼ cup coffee infused oil, ¼ cup coconut oil, 1 teaspoon jojoba oil, 3 capsules of vitamin E, and 4-5 drops of chamomile essential oil. You’ll place the beeswax in a glass bowl and submerge it in a larger pot of water on low heat. As the beeswax melts, add the coffee-infused oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and vitamin E oil. Remove from heat and add the chamomile essential oil to the pot. Place the mixture in a storage container and pop in the refrigerator to solidify.
- Don’t throw away those coffee grounds yet! You can use them to make a luscious exfoliating coffee ground soap. You will need 8 oz glycerin soap, ¼ cup used coffee grounds, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 teaspoon powdered milk (optional), a small saucepan, small metal or glass bowl, muffin tin, ladle, and a butter knife. You will want to fill one small saucepan with one cup of water and put your metal or glass bowl on top, creating a double boiler. Place over medium heat. Add the soap to the bowl and let it melt. Grease four rounds of a muffin tin and place a small spoonful of coffee grounds at the base of each. As your soap liquifies, turn off the heat, add the vanilla, one teaspoon of coffee grounds, powdered milk, and stir. Once everything is mixed nicely, place the mixture into a muffin tin, filling to the top, and allow the soaps to cool for several hours.
Putting It All Together
Caffeine and skin care make a great pair. Drinking coffee may increase alertness but applying coffee-infused products topically may make your skin glow, clear up, look younger, and radiate. Caffeine is a very safe ingredient you can use topically as a scrub, oil, balm, soap, and more.
Overall, caffeine has a lot of advantages and is used in many pharmaceutical-grade skin care options. While you may want to try some of the DIY tips above, it’s best to use tested products that contain the exact amounts and balances that work effectively when used as recommended.
If you have concerns regarding photoaging, fine lines, wrinkles, swelling, or redness, the caring and knowledgeable practitioners at First Impressions Rejuvenation Clinic would be happy to provide comprehensive consultation and discuss your skin care needs. First Impressions Rejuvenation Clinic offers many different skin care and facial treatment options to make you feel your best and love the skin you are in. Book a consultation today. You are worth it.
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