Of late, perusing the newest skincare and grooming releases can have you feeling like you’re in the coffee & tea aisle at your local supermarket; there’s caffeine aplenty. While caffeine in skincare is not entirely new, it’s picked up traction over the past few years, with caffeine claiming to supercharge everything from serums and moisturisers to scalp treatments and eye creams.
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But, caffeine is beneficial for more than just enticing you out of bed in the morning, making its presence in skincare and haircare products an apt one. While it won’t ever replace your morning cup of coffee, caffeine in skincare has some pretty real benefits. Here’s everything you need to know.
Benefits of caffeine in skincare
While caffeine doesn’t actually ‘wake up’ your skin, it can help promote circulation, temporarily improving the appearance of puffy under-eyes. A potent antioxidant, caffeine also helps to decrease the harmful effects of free radicals from exposure to environmental pollutants and UV rays, which can aid in preventing the formation of wrinkles and fine lines.
Benefits of caffeine in haircare
Caffeine also has some serious benefits for the hair, with topical caffeine application helping to reduce and prevent hair loss. Caffeine works by inhibiting the hormone DHA, which causes hair loss, and helps promote the production of the ATP hormone, which supports hair growth.
Caffeine also encourages blood circulation to the scalp, which promotes healthy hair follicles and stimulates hair growth from the roots.
The best haircare and skincare products with caffeine
Take your finger out of your espresso; applying coffee directly to your skin or scalp won’t be of much use. Instead, try one of these targeted caffeine-infused skincare and haircare products.
1. The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
Trust everyone’s favourite budget skincare brand to come through with a solution. One of the OG caffeine-infused skincare products, The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG combines a high concentration of caffeine with Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside (EGCG) from green tea leaves. Both caffeine and EGCG are potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, working to decrease the appearance of puffy, dark under-eyes (though it can be used all over your face).
2. Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum
Combining energizing caffeine from yerba mate and guarana with three sources of clinical-grade vitamin C, the Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum works to brighten the skin while enhancing circulation and decreasing puffiness. The addition of squalane provides essential hydration and locks in moisture, making for the go-to all-rounder serum.
3. Levara Amazonia Growth Bomb Hair Growth Serum
Combining the power of caffeine from yerba mate with saw palmetto, the antioxidant-rich Growth Bomb Hair Growth Serum works to stimulate hair cells from the roots and promote hair growth while preventing breakage by strengthening the hair shaft.
4. The Inkey List Caffeine Serum
Designed for use under the eyes, The Inkey List Caffeine Serum targets water retention that leads to puffiness. Plus, the addition of Matrixyl 3000 peptides helps boost collagen production and decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
5. Davines Naturaltech Energizing Shampoo
Suitable for those with fragile hair or suffering from hair loss, the Davines Naturaltech Energizing Shampoo works to restore energy and vigour to the scalp, promoting healthy hair growth by increasing circulation to the scalp and moisturising the hair follicles.
6. Milk Makeup Cooling Water Gel Stick
Infused with seawater and caffeine, the Milk Makeup Cooling Water Gel Stick performs double duty; visibly reducing puffiness while cooling and refreshing the skin (pop it in the first before use to increase the chill factor). Though it’s designed for the under eyes, we like using it all over the face to soothe, hydrate, and refresh the skin.
7. Khiel’s Body Fuel Energising Wash
Treat your entire body to a hit of energy with the Khiel’s Body Fuel Energising Wash. infused with caffeine, vitamin C, zinc, and menthol, it’s a refreshing way to start the day.
Words by John Deckard
Image courtesy of Herb Ritts
