Caffeine: A Wakeup Call for Skin Care Lovers
Nothing says good morning like a fresh cup of coffee when you first wake up. Whether it’s coffee or tea- caffeine, in general, is no longer just for mornings. The simple ingredient is now slowly integrating itself into your skincare products with many consumers claiming it to have anti-aging and wrinkle-smoothing effects. Can something as simple as caffeine really do all of that?
Consuming VS Topical Application
Why put in the extra effort to apply caffeine topically when you can just drink it, right? Well, for starters, caffeinated beverages don’t just contain pure caffeine. They’re usually loaded with other ingredients like sugars or artificial preservatives. Applying caffeine topically would be a lot more direct and healthier. When applying topically, most dermatologists recommend gently tapping the product onto the skin rather than rubbing it in. Rubbing can cause micro-cracks in the skin which leads to irritation. As a natural stimulant, caffeine also causes vasoconstriction. This means it works primarily through constricting blood vessels and promoting circulation.
Primary Benefits
Caffeine has been praised by many consumers for its many benefits. Because caffeine works through circulation, this means:
- Applying it topically can be more fast-acting and direct
- Contains antioxidant properties which protects your skin against oxidative-stress
- Contains anti-inflammatory effects
Caffeine is also a synergistic ingredient. This means it works great alongside other skincare ingredients to deeper penetrate the skin barrier and allow the skin to better absorb the product. Ingredients like Vitamin C or ginseng are both good examples of ingredients that go well with caffeine. Other benefits of caffeine include:
- Sun & photodamage protection
- Diminishes fine lines & wrinkles
- Reducing puffiness & dark circles
- Promotes skin elasticity
- Reduces cellulite
- Promotes collagen production
Are There Any Cons?Although there are many benefits to using caffeine-infused products, a lot of them only last temporarily. This doesn’t mean you should constantly be applying caffeine to your skin though. Many dermatologists actually recommend applying caffeine to your skin only twice a day to reap the best results. Doing it more can increase skin sensitivity or skin irritation. It may also be worth looking into other skincare products that are designed to target your specific skincare problems, especially if you find that your skin does not sit well with caffeine.KD SkinIf after hearing all this makes you want to try caffeine-infused skincare products instead, then by all means- go for it! Keep in mind, it’s always best to do a patch test first. If you’re a beginner, definitely try my KD Triple Shot Serum. It contains green tea polyphenols, resveratrol and caffeine to help soothe the skin and can protect it against free radical damage. The serum also visibly reduces the appearance of redness, fine lines, wrinkles, and puffiness.As an avid caffeine lover myself, it’s hard to resist the benefits this simple ingredient offers so I’m a strong advocate! Just bear in mind the short-term effects and remember to apply the product as recommended. Otherwise, brightening and tightening your skin is just a cup of coffee away!
