The Benefits Of Caffeine In Skincare- The Wake Up Call For Your Skin

What are the benefits of caffeine in skin and body care?  It’s a question I’m often asked and there’s no doubt that caffeine is a real friend in helping to fight cellulite and improve contours.  But the kind of caffeine that’s used, and the way it’s used, is key to its effectiveness in beauty.  

DOES CAFFEINE CREAM REALLY WORK FOR CELLULITE? 

You might have noticed the way caffeine has made waves in beauty recently, touted as a magic bullet in skin, hair and body care products.  But scientists have been using caffeine in beauty formulas for years (especially cellulite products) because of good evidence that shows it doesn’t just deliver a wake up call for our brains, but can work wonders on skin, hair and body shape too. 

In body care, and cellulite products, caffeine is at its most potent when it’s paired with ingredients that promote the lymph to deeply drain toxins from the body, as well as anti-ageing antioxidants.  Caffeine has what is known as a lipolytic effect, which means it breaks down fat and encourages the cells to be released into the bloodstream where they can be metabolised and released from the system.  This is how cellulite creams work: when applied to areas of cellulite the caffeine breaks down the fat cells in this location which promotes a smoother skin surface. 

Some forms of caffeine are more powerful than others though.  The caffeine Legology include in Peach-Lite, our best-selling buttock sculpting cream, comes from both green coffee beans and guarana extract.  This has the dual action of increasing skin’s firmness and lessening the look of cellulite with consistent use.   

CAN CAFFEINE IN SKIN CARE KEEP YOU AWAKE? 

Caffeinated skin and body care products have small concentrations of caffeine – usually somewhere between 1-3% active ingredient – so are not likely to keep you awake at night, so you can use them at night or in the morning. 

DOES CAFFEINE TIGHTEN SLACK SKIN?  

In addition to its de-puffing abilities, caffeine has been shown to have a firming and tightening effect on the skin. When applied topically, caffeine can help to temporarily improve the appearance of sagging or loose skin by promoting collagen production and increasing skin elasticity. This can be particularly beneficial for areas prone to cellulite, such as the thighs and buttocks, as caffeine-infused creams and serums can help to firm and tone the skin over time.   

CAN CAFFEINE MAKE SKIN GLOW? 

Another benefit of caffeine in skin care is its ability to improve blood circulation.  By stimulating blood flow to the skin's surface, caffeine can promote a healthier complexion and even help to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Improved circulation means better delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the skin cells, resulting in a brighter, more revitalized appearance. Look for caffeine-infused body lotions or scrubs to reap these circulation-boosting benefits.  Caffeine is rich in antioxidants, which are substances that help to neutralize harmful free radicals in the body. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells and accelerate the aging process, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging. By incorporating caffeine into your skincare routine, you can help protect your skin from oxidative stress and environmental damage, ultimately promoting a more youthful and radiant complexion.  

DO COFFEE GRAINS GET RID OF CELLULITE? 

Definitely not.  Liz Hurley once admitted to rubbing coffee grains on her buttocks to eliminate cellulite, and there are plenty of body exfoliators formulated with the same to claim dimple-blasting and skin-smoothing benefits.  But while coffee grains might make skin smoother they definitely don’t get rid of cellulite.  For caffeine to help shift cellulite it needs to be in a cream that is absorbed by the skin, not applied and washed off. 

DOES DRINKING CAFFEINE MAKE ME LOSE WEIGHT? 

Some nutritionists believe it can yes.  This is because caffeine, either in coffee or tea, helps to increase your metabolism by stimulating cortisol and adrenaline, two hormones that increase your energy, helping you burn fat and optimise your metabolism.  Scientists also say that drinking caffeine in the mornings, after breakfast, or before a workout is also effective in contributing to weight loss. 

OTHER INGREDIENTS THAT HELP WITH CELLULITE 

The best cellulite products contain a mix of ingredients that detoxify and decrease fluid retention through deep drainage, break down fat through lipolysis, stimulate collagen production, improve elasticity and smooth the surface of the skin.  As well as caffeine, look for ingredients like aromatherapy oils with diuretic benefits like juniper, eucalyptus, Siberian fir and lemon, and for creams with retinol, the resurfacing ingredient, aminophylline and DMAE.  Other standout ingredients are vitamins C and E, hyaluronic acid – a great moisturiser which plumps out the surface of the skin and enhances the effectiveness of caffeine, and glycerin.