Most adults simply cannot function without an infusion of caffeine in our systems. Thanks to the zing of energy that caffeinated beverages provide, we’re able to function and play nice on a regular basis. But did you know that while these magical drinks can affect your mood and body, they can affect your skin, too?

We’re diving deep into a double shot Americano to find out how caffeine boasts some surprising powers in your beauty routine.

Before we get down to the fine details, let’s talk about the health benefits that caffeine brings to the table. One of the most impressive assets of caffeine is its (Antioxidant) game: with beverages like coffee and green tea in its corner, no other food can go toe to toe with caffeine. Check out some other amazing beauty benefits of drinking caffeine:

• Antioxidants
  Coffee, black tea, and green tea all contain a plethora of antioxidants, which can help your skin cells fight off free radicals that contribute to premature aging. Antioxidant components – like polyphenols, catechins, and flavonoids – can even be activated through brewing, so drink up!

• Anti-inflammatory
  Your morning cup of java contains the antioxidant ferulic acid, which is shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body and skin. It also acts like other antioxidants in that it helps to fight the effects of damaging free radicals on the skin, like sun, pollution, and smoke.

• Boosts and repairs
  Coffee is also high in niacin (vitamin B3), which helps the body’s systems function properly. This wonder ingredient also promotes cellular turnover, and can be helpful in repairing sun damage while strengthening the skin barrier.

• UV protection
  Antioxidants like polyphenols that are found in both coffee and green tea can be hugely protective against UV damage. Science suggests that they may help to protect against ultraviolet (UV) rays and some signs of photoaging linked to sun exposure. While sipping caffeine helps, you’ll still need to apply your daily sunscreen!

While knocking back several mugs of coffee can amount to too much of a good thing – and mid-morning jitters – the beauty benefits of this beloved ingredient shine bright when applied topically.

Exfoliates and smooths
Don’t throw out those coffee grounds – or it’s grounds for non-silky smooth skin! Those coffee dregs are great at gently exfoliating your face and body, while tightening and enhancing vibrance. But why DIY when you’ll find coffee grounds in our Cocoa Coffee Body Scrub?

This luxurious scrub has a bold coffee chocolate scent, and is designed to smooth skin and reduce redness. The pure, potent ingredients featured in this formula include both coffee beans and cacao nibs, which both contain natural caffeine.

Fun fact: caffeine is found in many body scrubs that are designed to minimize cellulite. That’s thanks in part to vasoconstriction, but also to caffeine’s diuretic effects, which allow it to dehydrate fat cells temporarily, reducing the appearance of dimpled stores under the skin.

To seal in smoothness after exfoliation, we recommend our Coconut Nourishing Body Cream, which is enriched with potent anti-aging vitamins, green coffee, and vitamin C for soft, supple skin.

Decreases dark circles and puffy eyes
The ‘awake’ effect you’d get from your morning go-go juice has the same effect caffeine on our skin. The super ingredient is great for dark circles, as it helps to improve circulation by constricting the blood vessels. Caffeine also can absorb accumulated water, and is vital in reducing puffiness and swelling found around the eyes.

We love the ingredient so much that it’s used in our most iconic product: the Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream. Gentle, hydrating, and effective, this formula de-puffs, boosts circulation, and brightens dark circles with caffeine from coffee and green tea. Need a little boost in your brow growth? We recommend our Green Tea Fiber Brow Builder, which is a tinted gel that defines and sculpts your brows for a full, more polished look.

Reduces red and inflamed skin
Though it seems paradoxical given its stimulant nature, coffee can actually calm inflamed and red skin thanks to the same antioxidants that protect it from premature aging. It’s also a vasoconstrictor, which means it shrinks blood vessels and reduces the rush of blood to the skin’s surface – thus lessening the appearance of redness and flushing.

Tightens up
The amazing shrinking action of caffeine can also do wonders for your pores, making them look smaller than they may be. Now that’s pore-fection! Caffeine can also help improve the surface of your skin to look firmer and feel tighter.

Stimulates hair growth
The protective antioxidant benefits of caffeine also extend to your hair! Coffee stimulates the scalp and hair roots to improve structure and growth, and may help prevent hair loss. If your tresses need some extra TLC, we’re hair for you! We recommend our Grow More Shampoo, which stimulates blood flow in the scalp to promote healthier hair growth.

Enhances vibrancy
When applied as a face mask, the stimulating properties of caffeine improve blood flow and make your skin appear brighter, and, well – alive! While you’re brightening your face, why not give those peepers a little more glow? We recommend our hydrating Bright Eyes Mask, which is made with cooling cucumber and natural caffeine to de-puff the eye area.

Helps repair sun damage
Just like coffee gives you a pep in your step in the morning, caffeine gives your SPF a boost and can help with sun damage. Its antioxidant content helps fight the effects of damaging free radicals on the skin. This wonder ingredient also promotes cell turnover, and can be helpful in repairing sun damage while strengthening the skin barrier.

For most of us, sipping on a caffeinated beverage is a nonnegotiable and essential part of our daily routines. Hopefully with our tips and the benefits of caffeine, you’ll make the superstar ingredient another non-negotiable in your skin care routine. Mugs up!

Want more benefits of coffee for skin and how it’s made? How about the caffeine benefits of green tea? Check out our blog to get the latest on these topics and more!