In fact, natural beauty expert Merrady Wickes came to say good + good not getting enough sleep”lower your [skin’s] natural humidity levelsslows cell renewal and only makes you feel horrible.” (I mean, that last one we definitely know all too well.) By now, you might be thinking that these are exactly the kinds of drawbacks that would justify downing some quadruple espressos. Unfortunately, caffeine may not be the skin savior you’d expect. you expect, at least when drinking to excess.
First, it’s important to note that caffeine is caffeine, regardless of its source (ie coffee, tea, energy drinks, etc.). Dermatologist and founder of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, dennis grossMD, stresses that what does it However, counting in terms of maintaining healthy skin is how much is consumed. “There are really no negative consequences [for your skin] if you limit yourself to a 12-ounce cup of coffee each day,” says Dr. Gross. “However, if consumed in excess, you may experience some negative side effects.” (Don’t worry: Caffeine has some skin-improving benefits, too. More on that later!)
Caffeine and skin: the drawbacks
1. Caffeine can dehydrate
“Caffeine is a diuretic., meaning it promotes diuresis, increased urine output, which can lead to dehydration,” says Dr. Gross. “When you’re dehydrated, skin may appear dry and dull.”
melissa rifkin, MS, RD, CDN goes on to suggest that due to its diuretic impact, always make sure to hydrate throughout the day when consuming caffeine. “The best way to check hydration status is by the color of urine: when it’s light yellow, that indicates adequate hydration,” she says.
2. Caffeine can disrupt sleep, which can cause skin to look tired
Drinking caffeine in the late afternoon can negatively affect your sleep cycle. “Consuming caffeine after 4 pm can affect sleep even hours later,” says Dr. Gross. “It can cause insomnia or disrupt restful REM sleep, which ultimately acts as a stressor on our nervous system and can cause dark circles and puffiness due to exhaustion.”
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3. Caffeine can trigger rosacea
Keep in mind that not everyone responds to caffeine the same way. There are some people who are sensitive to caffeine, even one cup of coffee can be too much, and their skin will react more strongly to caffeine consumption than those with a high tolerance for caffeine. “Caffeine is a known trigger of rosacea, especially for those who are sensitive to it. This can cause swelling and redness, as can other known triggers like red wine and spicy foods,” says Dr. Gross.
4. Caffeine can exacerbate internal stress, which can lead to dull or oily skin.
According to Dr. Gross, Excessive caffeine consumption can exacerbate agitation and nervousness because it can cause an increase in cortisol and adrenaline levels, which increases the stress that people experience in their daily lives. “Even if not consumed in excess, caffeine can aggravate the physiological events that occur in the body when it is stressed. Your body prioritizes blood flow to vital organs and away from the skin, resulting in paleness, dullness, dark circles under the eyes and can even cause oily skin.
Caffeine and the skin are a beneficial pair when used topically
Interestingly, while there are some negative effects that can occur when caffeine is consumed, it does have quite a few topical benefits. “This is because topical caffeine application doesn’t enter the bloodstream like it does when ingested,” says Dr. Gross. “In fact, caffeine can be an effective ingredient in skin care, particularly for eye products and redness products. It does an excellent job of reducing swelling, redness, and inflammation.”
1. Caffeine Has Anti-Inflammatory Benefits When Applied Topically
“Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor, meaning it constricts blood vessels, so applying caffeine directly to the skin can reduce redness, swelling, and/or inflamed skin,” says Dr. Gross.
2. Caffeine Has Antioxidant Benefits When Applied Topically
“Coffee is a great source of antioxidants, so topically, it can reduce free radical damage and protect the skin from future damage,” says Dr. Gross.
Before you ditch your beloved morning oatmeal latte, ryan andrewsMS, MA, RD, RYT, CSCS, the leading nutritionist and consultant for precision nutrition stresses that it is important to keep in mind that we consume many compounds every day through our diet, and there is a wide variety of responses to these compounds. “Caffeine is no different: Some people metabolize caffeine faster or slower, which will influence what kind of impact caffeine has,” she says. Like most things in life, the relationship between caffeine and skin can be summed up in everyone’s favorite adage: everything in moderation.
If you’re trying to cut back on caffeine, try swapping your usual morning beverage for this delicious (and jitter-free) herbal drink:
