Beauty inno

Potential Benefits of Caffeine Skin-Care Products
Caffeine primarily works through circulation, so it’s fast acting, protective against oxidative stress, and anti-inflammatory for the skin, says Ife Rodney, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Eternal Dermatology and Aesthetics in Fulton, Maryland.

Caffeine may also help protect against photodamage, like fine lines and wrinkles after sun exposure. “Studies show caffeine helps when it’s applied after exposure to UVA and UVB rays,” Dr. Rodney says. “You will get that immediate lift and oxidative-stress protection, but it can wane over time. Skin-care products should include other active ingredients that can help repair your skin.”

Some other ingredients that are great for skin include aloe, tea tree oil, shea butter, vitamin C, and jojoba oil, says Rodney. “These all have antioxidants, which slow oxidative stress and may even help restore damaged cells,” she explains.

Speaking of sun-soaked skin, a growing body of research in animals suggests that caffeine may have anticarcinogenic properties, says Hsu.

“In one study done with mice, for example, caffeine applied topically promoted apoptosis, or cell death, in cells damaged by sunburn,” he says, referencing a paper published in December 2021 in the Journal of Biology, Medicine and Biochemistry. “Researchers concluded that topical caffeine results in actual cell death of squamous cell carcinoma and benign skin tumors.” Squamous cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer. Of course, large-scale clinical trials are needed to know whether humans would see the same anti-cancer effects.

Are There Any Downsides to Using Caffeine in Skin Care?
The main downside is that the skin benefits of caffeine work for only a short period of time, similar to drinking a cup of coffee, says Rodney. “Caffeine is a temporary solution and will not cure wrinkles or under-eye bags,” she says. “You should still invest in other skin-care items that work well with this product and target your specific skin issue long term.” Examples include a cleanser with salicylic acid, serums with vitamin C and niacinamide, moisturizers with ceramides, and a broad-spectrum sunscreen, Rodney suggests.

Caffeine can also irritate your skin, causing redness from the increased blood flow. If you have sensitive skin or a caffeine sensitivity, you may want to get started by testing out this ingredient in small doses on a limited part of your skin.

“I suggest doing a small patch test, the size of a dime behind the ear or on the jawline,” says Hsu. “Do it a couple times and see how the skin reacts before using it.”

Why Caffeine Is Added to Skin-Care Products
While it may sound too good to be true, those caffeine skin-care devotees may be onto something.

Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor, meaning it makes your blood vessels get smaller and tighten, says Jeffrey Hsu, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and codirector of Oak Dermatology in Chicago.

“When used in skin care, caffeine reduces blood flow to the skin and makes it look brighter and tighter,” Dr. Hsu says. “It’s often seen as an anti-aging or wrinkle-smoothing ingredient in face care, eye care, and even body care.”

The key to making skin-care products work is proper formulation. In particular, when the right amount of caffeine is used, it can be an effective ingredient to freshen up your skin, eliminate dark under-eye circles, and reduce puffiness in your face.

Several studies, like one published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science, show that caffeine molecules are small enough to pass through the top layers of your skin, so it can really dig in and do its job intradermally, explains Hsu.

But it’s worth noting that just because a product claims it contains caffeine, it doesn’t mean it will automatically give you the benefits you’re looking for, he says.

“In order for caffeine to be effective as mentioned, it must be applied in highly concentrated doses,” says Hsu. “I always recommend patients to go with medical-grade skin-care products, as they are backed by controlled studies that prove the products' formulations, ingredient transparency, and efficacy.”

When evaluating skin-care labels, marketing jargon like “clinically proven” and “pro grade” are not necessarily synonymous with “medical grade,” adds Hsu. “Medical-grade products are dispensed at a physician’s office or a med spa that has a medical director overseeing their operations.”

Привет!

Aquí recopilamos estos consejos que deberíamos adoptar como hábito durante todo el año:



Evite exposiciones entre las 12-16h, ya que es el momento de mayor irradiación solar.
Media hora antes de exponerse al sol, aplíquese crema protectora.
Reaplicar el protector cada tres o cuatro horas y cada vez que salga del agua.
Lleve siempre accesorios que lo protejan del sol como sombrero de ala ancha, franela manga larga y sombrilla.
Proteja sus ojos con unas gafas de sol que absorban los rayos UV.
Evite otras fuentes de radiación como cámaras de bronceado que irradian UVA, ya que también producen fotoenvejecimiento y cáncer de piel.
Hidrate su cuerpo bebiendo un litro de agua al día y aplicando cremas, durante todo el año.
Ante una excesiva sudoración, la aparición de manchas o pecas irregulares que han aumentado de tamaño, acuda al dermatólogo.
No abuse de la combinación de aplicar sal de mar a la piel con la exposición a los rayos ultravioleta.