It seems that using caffeine for skin-care products and routines is currently trending, and according to dermatologists, the practice is backed by real science. This simple and effective ingredient has gained traction in the beauty world after getting popular on TikTok, where celebrity endorsers say caffeine-infused skin-care products give results fast and are an affordable option.

Caffeine Is Used for Skin-Care Because it Makes Blood Vessels Tighten

According to dermatologists, caffeine is a vasoconstrictor that makes blood vessels tighten and become smaller, which is why it’s used in skincare products. Caffeine seems to reduce blood flow to the skin and makes it look tighter and brighter. It’s even seen as an anti-aging, wrinkle-smoothing ingredient that’s now used in face care, eye care, and body care. However, the key to making skin-care products seems to be proper formulation. In particular, using the right amount of caffeine can be effective when it comes to freshening up the skin and eliminating dark under-eye circles, as well as reducing the puffiness in your face.

Several studies have shown that caffeine molecules are small enough to pass through the top layers of the skin and do their job. Still, it’s not a guarantee that every product that claims it contains caffeine has the benefits it should. For caffeine to be effective, it must be applied in very concentrated doses that are usually present with medical-grade skin-care products backed by controlled studies – showing the ingredients and their efficacy.

There Are Many Potential Benefits of Caffeine Skin-Care Products

Caffeine works through circulation, and it’s fast-acting and protective against oxidative stress. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin and may help protect against fine lines and wrinkles after sun exposure. Some studies have shown that caffeine helps with exposure to UVA and UVB rays. Still, skin-care products should also have other active ingredients to work. Other ingredients that are used for skin care include tea tree oil, shea butter, vitamin C, aloe, and jojoba oil, and they all have antioxidants that also slow oxidative stress and might even help restore damaged skin cells.

Caffeine’s Skin Benefits Only Work for a Short Period of Time

The one main downside of caffeine, when it comes to skincare, is that the skin benefits from caffeine for a short period of time, just like drinking a cup of coffee. So, caffeine is a temporary solution, and while it helps, it doesn’t cure wrinkles or under-eye bags. This means that people still need to invest in other skin-care products that target specific skin issues and have long-term effects. Caffeine has other downsides because it can irritate the skin and cause redness due to increased blood flow.