Coffee, and caffeine generally, are great – they perk us up in the morning and they keep us awake to make tomorrow morning’s deadline. But it’s good for your skin too – somewhat counterintuitive it aids in hydration of the skin, which is weird because coffee has dehydrating properties.
The science behind it, according to Estée Lauder’s research and development department, has something to do with “naturally occurring electric fields on the surface of the skin.” It gets a little confusing and acronym-heavy (transepithelial electrical potential or TEEP; cyclic adenosine monophosphate or cAMP; and epithelial sodium channel or ENaC). But the upshot seems to be that caffeine improves your skin’s ability to retain water by stabilising the cAMPness of your skin giving it more electrical potential, which makes it hydrated and glow-y, combatting dull skin, under-eye bags and fine lines.
Anyway, here’s our favourite caffeinated products from a plumping lip tint to one of those face masks with eye, nose and mouth holes for self-care selfies.
LUSH Cup o’ Coffee Exfoliating Mask
This organic, vegan, cruelty-free scrub uses recycled coffee grounds as an exfoliator to refresh your skin, hydrate it and clear your pores all at once.
Get it here.
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
With the highest concentration of green tea derived caffeine available, this serum is an intense shot of hydration and energy for your skin.
Get it here.
FRANK BODY Send Nudes Lip Tint
What’s not to love? The name is perfect and it comes from a company who specialise in caffeinated beauty, with all their products making use of the ingredient.
Get it here.
Origins GinZing Energy-Boosting Treatment Lotion Mist 150ml
This refreshing mist from Origins delivers rapid radiance, vitality and hydration.
Get it here.
Ethiopian Green Coffee Cream
This coffee-based body cream promises firmer refreshed skin from ethical sources, enriched with community traded olive oil.
Get it here.
100% Pure Caffeine Mask
Another eco-friendly option made from 100% biodegradable materials – catch us looking creepy/cute on a night in with this redness-reducing mask.
Get it here.