We all know caffeine is the stimulant in our morning cup of coffee that energizes us for the day. But could it also leave your skin looking and feeling refreshed? Most Americans (62%, in fact) would agree that a cup of coffee a day keeps the drowsiness away. According to some dermatologists, though, the caffeine that keeps us awake may also liven up our skin as part of our daily skin care routine — but how? As it turns out, caffeine can help keep your skin healthy in a number of ways. For one, it has antioxidant properties. Antioxidants protect the body from free radicals, which are unstable atoms that can destabilize cells, leading to illness and aging. Free radicals cause wrinkles, so using skin care products with caffeine in them can minimize the amount of wrinkles on your face. Secondly, caffeine can reduce eye puffiness because it increases circulation in the blood vessels just below the skin. However, it should be noted that this effect doesn’t last long, so you should apply the right caffeinated skin care products daily to maximize this benefit. CAFFEINE: THE SKIN CARE STIMULANT? How This Coffee Ingredient Could Energize Your Skin Care Routine
Caffeine can also get rid of subdermal fat and cellulite by metabolizing fatty acids as well as aid in the production of collagen (the most abundant protein in the body, aka what’s literally holding you together). However, before you start applying skin care products with caffeine to your face and expecting all of the above results, you should know that not all dermatologists agree on the extent of these purported benefits. Paula Begoun of Paula’s Choice skin care products says that caffeine “doesn’t work well” for puffy eyes or cellulite. On the other hand, Jennifer L. MacGregor, MD of Schweiger Dermatology Group, insists that caffeine is best for brightening puffy eyes. In any case, the potential benefits of adding caffeine to your daily skin care regimen far outweigh any possible drawbacks. So, what are you waiting for? Energize your skin with a little caffeine!
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