Caffeine as a Skincare Ingredient
Most consumers of coffee understand its potency; it jolts you out of sleep in the morning and keeps you going during the day. The drug in coffee responsible for this phenomenon is caffeine, a central nervous system stimulant. As such, it is able to direct the brain and spinal cord to quickly react to internal and external stimuli by activating specific neurons. Food ingredient supplier Bell Chem stocks high-quality caffeine for its customers, including those in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries where caffeine has become a key ingredient.
Reduces Inflammation
Caffeine is an effective vasoconstrictor. It shrinks the circumference of blood vessels, which alleviates inflammation in the outer layer of skin, the epidermis. For this reason, caffeine is often added to exfoliants to reduce inflammation after the skin is lightly abraded during treatment. Products touting skin hydration often contain caffeine since dehydrated skin is generally stressed, which leads to inflammation, which caffeine is able to control under certain conditions.
Improves Circulation
Dermatologist Dr. Rachel Nazarian of Schweiger Dermatology Group reports caffeine is effective in reducing puffiness around the eyes by improving circulation, especially in aging skin. She noted with a bit of awed surprise that this circulation boost caused her patients’ skin to take on a healthy glow.
Converts Fat
Dr. Raymond Schep, the Chief Chemist for Colonial Dames Company and member of the CA Association of Toxicologists, focused on caffeine’s effect on cellulite below the skin. Caffeine actively degrades fat by converting it to fatty acids (a process known as lipolysis), which are easily circulated through the blood and metabolized. A small study reported a cream containing caffeine was applied to the upper arms and thighs of 15 participants over 6 weeks. Of those participants, 4/5 noted a decrease in the circumference of both arms and legs (approximately .75 cm) at the end of the study.
Removes Free Radicals
The natural antioxidant properties of caffeine destroy free radicals in the body, which break down collagen and cause wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, sun spots, sunburn, and redness. Susie Wang is the founder and skincare chemist at 100% PURE. Her company adds caffeine to many of its products to stimulate healing from sun exposure. Caffeine contains chlorogenic acid that soothes while it heals not only sunburn but skin affected by acne. The antibacterial properties of caffeine assist in acne skincare as well. A study on lab mice reported the apoptosis (cell death) of cancerous cells caused by UVB radiation.
Bell Chem is a food ingredient supplier based in Longwood, FL (just north of Orlando) with hundreds of products stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse, including caffeine. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or by sending us an online message.