If you’re a skincare lover, then you’ve probably heard many people touting caffeine’s anti-aging effects at some point in your journey. If you haven’t, fear not as we’re here to enlighten you. Aside from being a popular drink, coffee has been revealed to house many anti-aging benefits. It contains both polyphenols (which are highly anti-inflammatory micronutrients) and caffeine, both of which actively contribute towards minimizing the signs of dermal aging. It’s also useful knowing that the chlorogenic acids found in coffee have been said to make coffee an effective anti-aging and anti-acne treatment. CGAs, or chlorogenic acids, are a collection of chemicals related to polyphenols and found in unroasted coffee beans (otherwise known as green coffee beans). According to various studies, they provide many benefits such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity as well as being able to counteract various harmful chemicals responsible for damaging the tissue in our bodies, which deems them very beneficial for the skin. The roasting process of coffee beans decreases their chlorogenic acid content due to the high temperature at which the beans are roasted so, if you’re looking to reap the health benefits of CGAs, opt for ground coffee over roasted.
Before you start chugging coffee like mad after hearing its benefits, take into account that, like anything, coffee should be consumed in moderation. An overload of caffeine actually has the ability to dehydrate you as well as triggering the body’s stress hormones, which can cause breakouts. Such an inflammatory response could actually be counterproductive as it could ultimately lead to collagen loss and, as such, wrinkles. This is not what any of us want. So, how can we best use coffee to our advantage? The answer: moderation is key.
When it comes to caffeine, it’s advised to not consume any more than 400mg a day. The best way to avoid consuming too much caffeine and causing any adverse effects is to use a coffee or caffeine-infused cream or serum. This helps to ensure that you receive a moderate dose which you can actually benefit from without the risk of breakouts. That said, because everyone’s skin is different, none of us are aware of how our skin is going to react to a certain product or ingredient. With this in mind, our advice would be to always do a patch test before applying a product to your face just to be on the safe side.
Because coffee’s so versatile, it can also be added to many DIY products from the comfort of your own home. Coffee grounds, for example, can be used as an ingredient in a homemade face scrub. A gentle exfoliation session is a great way to help the skin shed any dead cells, leaving it soft and supple afterwards. Don’t exfoliate too frequently, though, and only use a scrub a couple of times a month – that way, your skin has time to recover. Exfoliation is quite an abrasive treatment, and so this is why it’s important not to overdo it or you risk making your skin prone to sensitivity if it isn’t already. The skin on your face is a lot more delicate than the skin on your body, so this is why it’s vital to treat it with care and understanding.
If you’d like to find out more about anti-aging ingredients, check out our Anti-aging Ingredients page.