It adds up: One 2018 study on caffeinated coffee consumption1 found that avid coffee drinkers were 23% less likely to develop rosacea, as constricting blood vessels could help reduce that inflammation. So while you’ll want to load up on coffee to reap those benefits (and a host of others while we’re at it), applying caffeine topically could yield similar results. “That’s why green tea lotions used under the eyes can help with puffiness,” Ciraldo adds. Or, you can go the DIY route and take a couple of moistened green tea bags, placing them under your eyes for a soothing effect. (Looks like that age-old remedy for under-eye swelling actually carries some weight!) Ciraldo agrees: While caffeine can tighten the skin superficially, it won’t get to the root of the problem. “Cellulite reflects the fact that women have a much thinner dermal layer than men,” she says. “Men have a thicker dermis, so you don’t typically see the uneven texture of the fat layer.” That is to say, caffeine can help the appearance but certainly not forever (and it won’t solve the actual issue at hand). While it can’t exactly reverse the effects of photoaging, it can surely help slow the process. Consider caffeine another star antioxidant to add to the list of must-haves, especially in a topical form. If you don’t want to break the bank on an eye serum, no worries—Ciraldo says you can make your own straight from your kitchen. “Try soaking a green tea bag in warm water, put it into the refrigerator, and apply under one eye,” she says. “If after 10 minutes that eye looks less puffy and brighter, you can try this as a daily eye treatment.” (Read more about the classic tea-bag-on-eye trick here.) On the body care front, you can also find caffeine in the form of coffee scrubs (great for exfoliating) and lotions to nourish and tighten the skin. Of course, it’s always best to consult your doctor if you’re experiencing an adverse reaction to a skin care product or if you think you may be especially sensitive to caffeine. But generally, the risk is rather low.
