Skincare Ingredient Review: Coffee in Skin Care Products

Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) November 3, 2007

Caffeine is a skin care ingredient that has made its debut over the last few years. Some studies have shown benefits, while others have castigated caffeine for its harmful consequences. So which is it? Skincare-News.com's latest article, "A Wake Me Up for Your Skin," gives readers the low-down on what to expect from beauty products containing caffeine.
http://www.skincare-news.com/articles.php?ArtID=456

Imagine having the option of indulging in a shower that gives the same buzz as a cup of coffee. Sold as a shower gel or soap, "Shower Shock" promises to provide people with a wake-me-up equivalent to two cups of caffeine by directly going into the skin. Unfortunately, according to thebeautybrains.com -- cosmetic chemists who blog about beauty products -- in order to soak up what amounts to one cup of coffee, it would be necessary to scrub the skin for one hour, minus the rinsing portion of the shower, writes Anna Jane Grossman for The New York Times. Not exactly a quick alternative!

Oddly innovative and ineffective products aside, what about the beauty merchandise that make up our routine?

Grossman writes that caffeine's properties, as a diuretic and stimulant, are the reasons companies are using the ingredient in skin care products. Rewind to 1999 when the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery published a study that found "caffeine-based liposome-encapsulated cream reduced the thickness of fat," writes Grossman, and notice that afterwards, a slew of cellulite creams containing caffeine hit the market.

But, there's no research showing that caffeine actually "works on cellulite," says dermatologist Michelle Rivera, in an article in The Washingtonian. She adds, "Caffeine is simply not absorbed by the skin." However, according to a recent study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 80% of women who used a caffeine solution for 30 days saw a reduction in skin dimpling, their skin appeared tighter, and they lost 2 cm off their thighs.

Cellulite creams, explains Linda Wells, Allure's editor-in-chief, contain caffeine because it dehydrates fat cells, giving skin the appearance of smoothness. Caffeine may also reduce puffiness around the eyes and dark circles, says Wells. It works by draining excess lymph fluid and blood short-term.

Products with a coffee-like aroma are also common. But do these really give people the jolt they need? From lip-glosses to creams to scrubs, getting a whiff of these beauty products may make people feel more alert, but only because it's a learned response for us to connect coffee with feeling energized.

Overall, it appears there isn't a definitive answer one way or another. Thus far, research has yet to prove caffeine's benefits for skin.

Skincare-News.com covers all skincare and beauty topics from head to toe. Check out these latest articles:

Correct that Stiff Lip! Skin Care for Your Upper Lip
http://www.skincare-news.com/articles.php?ArtID=208Out of all the sensitive places to apply skin care products to, the upper lip is at the top. This area of skin tends to be the trickiest to treat for those with skincare issues. Let's take a look at two of the most common skin care problems in that area: unwanted hair and wrinkles.

Does Acne Cause Psychological Trauma? Studies Show That Common Ailment Affects More Than Just Skin Care
http://www.skincare-news.com/articles.php?ArtID=169
Acne can be an obnoxious and even painful skincare ailment, and despite all of the products out there, some people's faces just don't get clear despite multitudes of effort. But what about those who struggle with this skincare ailment on an everyday basis? What is the emotional impact on a young person who, despite spending hundreds of dollars on skin care products, still cannot find relief from acne?

Skin Care Through A Smoke Screened World?
http://www.skincare-news.com/articles.php?ArtID=159
This article discusses the skincare perspective on the effects smoking has on both people's bodies and lives. Chances are most smokers are experiencing everything from a slight dullness to premature aging due to their cigarette habit.

Skin Care For Athletes: 10 Natural Ingredients That Help Active Skin and More
http://www.skincare-news.com/articles.php?ArtID=154
There are very few athletes out there that want to smell like an athlete all the time. And especially for female athletes, many don't want to always look like one either! No matter what sport she plays and in what weather, there are natural ingredients out there that can help any female get through her active season.

About SkinCare-News.com -- "Your Source for Intelligent Skin Care"
Skincare-News.com is the online source for consumers seeking intelligent beauty and skin care news, advice, tips and articles. Founded in 2005, SkinCare-News.com features articles, news items and frequently asked questions on skincare and beauty related issues. SkinCare-News.com is located in Sacramento, California, but receives visitors from all around the world. For more information, visit http://www.skincare-news.com.

# # #