Is your morning cup of coffee helping or hurting the health of your skin? There are two factors to consider when asking this question. First, how big is your coffee cup? If it’s just a cup (or even two) of coffee per day, then the amount of caffeine you are consuming is probably not enough to affect your skin. The second thing to consider is what you put in your coffee. Sugar and dairy are known to contribute to acne. Sugar specifically has been shown to weaken collagen and elastin in the skin as well.

After considering these two factors, let’s dive into what caffeine can do to benefit the skin and what kind of negative side effects can occur.

What are the Effects of Caffeine Externally on the Skin?

When caffeine is used topically it can be a beneficial ingredient. Caffeine works as an antioxidant when used on top of the skin. This means it can help protect your skin from free radicals and protect collagen in skin cells.

Caffeine also constricts blood vessels resulting in de-puffing and soothing. It can also temporarily help with dark circles under the eyes due to increased microcirculation. While the benefits of caffeine in skincare are short-lived, if you need a quick boost in the morning before work, a caffeinated product might work well for you.

What are the Effects of Caffeine Internally on the Skin?

So, what happens when you consume caffeine? Caffeine in coffee will do the same thing it does externally, but with different effects. As we talked about before, caffeine is a blood vessel constrictor. When caffeine is consumed, it has the opposite effect as it does when used topically. The constricted blood vessels reduce nutrients’ ability to travel to skin cells. In turn, collagen production is reduced which increases fine lines and wrinkles.

If you drink more than a couple of cups of coffee per day, you also might be reducing the length of your telomeres, which means an increase in aging not just in the skin but on a chromosomal level. Telomeres naturally shorten with age, but it’s definitely not a process you want to speed up.

Is Caffeine Bad for the Skin?

The answer is yes and no. While caffeine in skincare can provide targeted depuffing and increased antioxidants, consuming copious amounts of caffeine can hurt overall skin health and speed up the aging process.

While the golden rule of “Everything in moderation” holds true here, what if you’re one of the people who needs a little more than a couple of cups of coffee per day? Let’s look at what happens to the skin and body when you quit caffeine.

How to Quit Caffeine

Real talk, it’s not an easy journey to completely quit caffeine. If you wake up tomorrow and stop your daily caffeine intake, your body will protest. Withdrawal symptoms include headaches, fatigue, mood swings, and difficulty focusing. These symptoms can last up to two weeks after quitting.

However, if you don’t want to drop caffeine altogether, the process can be easier. If you slowly reduce your daily intake down to a level you’re comfortable with, you’re less likely to experience strong withdrawal symptoms and more likely to sustain the change.

How does Cutting Back on Caffeine Affect the Skin and Body?

Once you reduce or eliminate caffeine from your daily routine, you might notice some changes. Studies report lower levels of anxiety, better sleep, lower blood pressure, and younger-looking skin. Studies also show better nutrient absorption, whiter stronger teeth, and better hydration.

Slowing the aging process by cutting down on caffeine seems to happen both internally and externally. If you want to look and feel better, it might be time to try lowering your caffeine intake. Once you get through the first couple of weeks, you’ll be unstoppable!

What Else Can I do for Healthier Skin?

As mentioned previously, antioxidants are amazing for the skin. If you want to protect your skin from collagen-damaging free radicals, opt for skincare that includes ingredients such as daisy extract, honeysuckle extract, and hibiscus extract. You can find a full list of the top 6 antioxidants for skin in our blog post here.

For skincare including top antioxidants and the botanical extracts listed above, shop The Essentials Bundle on Audrosebeauty.com!