Getty Images
Aside from supposedly enhancing your mood and boosting brain function, the benefits of drinking coffee could seem slim to some.
But coffee lovers rejoice – recent studies have found caffeine is more than just a crucial part of your morning wake-up routine – it can have benefits on your whole body.
It can help fight puffy eyes and dark circles
We women are a busy bunch. Between juggling work commitments, deadlines, family obligations and unintentional Netflix binges till 3am, it’s no wonder we often fall victim to the occasional dark under-eye circles and puffiness around the eye.
Here’s the game changer: caffeine. It turns out coffee doesn’t just wake up the brain, it also awakens the eye. When applied topically, the natural anti-inflammatory properties in coffee can disguise dark under eye circles by promoting circulation, which simultaneously helps to reduce the appearance of dark circles and de-puff the under eye region.
We love: Smashbox Under Eye Hydrating Primer, $50; The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG, $19.20; The Inkey List Caffeine Under-Eye Serum, $17; L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Laser X3 Eye Cream, $44.99.
It can help minimise the appearance of cellulite
We’re all familiar with those not-so-darling dimples and with 90 per cent of women affected by cellulite, it’s no surprise scientists, doctors and the beauty industry alike are trying to get to the bottom (pun intended) of the phenomenon.
Whilst there’s no proven remedy for banishing cellulite in its entirety, coffee has been found to visibly minimise the appearance. When used regularly, caffeine dehydrates and draws excess fluid away from fat cells, causing problem areas to firm up and even out.
Coffee has been found to visibly minimise the appearance of cellulite. (Image: Getty)
Caffeine for cellulite is most effective in the form of a body scrub when combined with massage application and exfoliation, as it further stimulates blood flow. (We also recommend trying dry brushing prior to showering for max benefits).
We love: Limited Edition Frank Birthday Cake Body Scrub, $22; Sukin Energising Body Scrub – Coconut and Coffee, $17.50.
It can act as a defence against premature ageing
It has been found that over 80 per cent of premature skin ageing can be attributed to environmental aggressors beyond our control. Antioxidants provide critical defence against the environment, with caffeine being one of the richest sources of natural antioxidants in the average person’s diet.
However, that doesn’t mean consuming copious amounts of coffee a day but rather incorporating it into your life by means where you can reap the ‘good stuff’, such as your skincare. In addition to hydration, caffeine helps to build up resistance to the elements and combat the first signs of ageing.
So, beauty brands everywhere are adding the superpower antioxidant to face serums, masks and moisturisers. We recommend looking for anti-ageing products that contain caffeine in order to achieve optimum results.
We love: Clinique Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator, $139; Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II, $190.
The antioxidants in coffee can help build up resistance to the elements as well as combating the first signs of ageing. (Image: Getty)
It can calm inflammation and redness
While we’re familiar with the ability coffee has to ironically provide a sense of calm with its high caffeine content, it can also have the same impact on our skin.
The potent skin calming properties of caffeine create a spa-like experience, providing all-over relief to irritated and sensitive skin. It is ideal for those prone to redness, inflammation or breakouts.
Look for coffee in your daily moisturiser or body balm for instant relief, hydration and deliciously fragrant skin.
We love: Dermalogica Active Clearing Oil Free Matte SPF30, $94; Murad Revitalixir™ Recovery Serum, $179.
This story originally appeared on our sister site, beautyheaven.
