Caffeine in your morning latte may be important to get you started for the day. It may also play an important role in your daily skin health. Caffeine has certain properties that make it beneficial for the skin. The coffee bean has antioxidant properties, similar to other berries, which may positively affect the aging process by decreasing the production of oxygen free radicals. This helps to reduce damage from ultraviolet radiation caffeine may also play a role in stimulating hair growth as a result of its effect on the enzyme 5–alpha reductase. This is why caffeine is becoming more commonly found as an ingredient in cosmetics, creams, and cosmeceuticals.
When used in over–the–counter (OTC) skincare products, the concentration of caffeine is approximately 3%. Caffeine is used in skincare products because it has the ability to penetrate into the skin and has an antioxidant effect. It is also an alkaloid molecule and has the ability to degrade fat through lipolysis by inhibiting an enzyme called phosphodiesterase. This is medical terminology to say that there is a potential that caffeine may be beneficial in fighting cellulite, due to its ability to prevent excess accumulation of fat within cells.
Currently, there is research regarding the potential anti-carcinogenic properties of caffeine. Oral intake of caffeine has been shown to inhibit ultraviolet B-induced skin cancer. Early research has shown the potential benefit of topically applied caffeine in special formulations to decrease sunlight damage skin in humans. Obviously, additional studies are needed, but early results are promising for the increased importance of caffeine in anti-aging skin care regimens.
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