You already know how helpful your morning cup of coffee can be in keeping you energized and productive throughout the day. But it turns out that that's not the only area where a caffeine boost can work to your advantage — it can also enhance your beauty and skin care routine.
We asked two dermatologists to break down the benefits of the ingredient and to answer your frequently asked questions. Keep scrolling or use the links below.
Caffeine skin benefits | Best for eyes | Best for face | Best for body | FAQs | Meet our experts
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What are the skin care benefits of caffeine?
"Caffeine-containing products may help to reduce redness of the skin by causing vasoconstriction of the blood vessels, causing them to shrink and become less noticeable," says Dr. Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
While skin care products with caffeine can be applied all over, the ingredient is most commonly found in under-eye treatments — and for good reason. Garshick says it can help make under-eye bags less noticeable and help prevent fine lines and wrinkles.
With that in mind, the Shop TODAY team asked Garshick and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King to share the caffeine-infused beauty products they love. We also did hours of research, scouring bestseller lists, top-rated products and glowing but helpful reviews.
From eye serums to scrubs, here are eight options to add to your beauty cabinet.
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Best caffeine products for eyes
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
TikTok-loved brand The Ordinary is known for creating powerful skin care formulas that won't leave a huge dent in your wallet. And the brand's Caffeine Solution is an excellent choice.
The formula, which is meant to be used on the under-eye area, contains a high 5 percent concentration of caffeine, which King says is enough to effectively decrease puffiness.
iNNBeauty Project Electrify Lightning Bolt Eye Mask
Tossing and turning all night? Don't let your eyes show it. These masks, recommended by King, can be used in a pinch to soothe skin and reduce the appearance of dark circles.
The pack comes with four sets of lightning-shaped under-eye masks, and each one can be used up to four times, the brand says. Pro tip from iNNBeauty: Store them in the fridge until you're ready to use; it will increase the cooling sensation and help wake up your tired eyes.
La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Eye Cream
"This eye cream combines caffeine with PhE-Resorcinol and niacinamide and helps to improve the overall appearance of dark circles and under-eye puffiness," Garshick says.
It has a cooling metal applicator, which not only feels great on the skin but also helps to soothe the area.
The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream
"This affordable caffeine-containing eye cream helps to improve the under eyes by reducing puffiness and the appearance of fine lines," Garshick says.
Along with the caffeine, it also contains the peptide Matrixyl 3000 which, she adds, helps to further reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Skinbetter InterFuse Eye Treatment Cream
This derm-approved eye cream may be a splurge, but it has science to back it up: The product combines a blend of powerhouse ingredients, like peptides, antioxidants and caffeine.
"Together, the ingredients help hydrate the skin and improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and puffiness," Garshick says.
The cream also uses a patented delivery technology to help the ingredients absorb quickly and work more effectively.
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Best caffeine products for face
St. Ives Coconut & Coffee Energizing Scrub
Sometimes just the smell of coffee is enough to put an extra pep in your step, and this energizing scrub will awaken your senses (and your skin).
The scrub combines coffee, coconut extract and walnut shell powder to slough away dead skin cells with every wash, leaving your skin feeling refreshed. Garshick notes, however, that because it's a deeper exfoliant, it shouldn't be used every day.
Romer Cleanser
"This is a great option for a gel-oil cleanser that effectively cleanses the skin without leaving it feeling dry or irritated," Garshick says.
Romer's cleanser hydrates and soothes skin while providing a boost of antioxidants from green tea and coffee extract — leaving your skin looking brighter, she adds.
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Best caffeine products for body
Alpha-H Micro Super Scrub
King also likes this scrub, which contains a blend of beneficial ingredients.
"Twelve percent glycolic acid gently exfoliates, while caffeine offers antioxidant and de-puffing properties," King explains. It can be used on both the face and body twice a week to refresh and rejuvenate skin.
Biossance Squalane + Caffeine Toning Body Cream
Along with caffeine, this body cream from Biossance contains squalane and niacinamide to help smooth skin and even out skin tone and texture. It's designed to absorb quickly into your skin, to provide weightless moisture instantly.
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Questions about caffeine in skin care, answered by experts
Are caffeine products good for skin?
Short answer: Yes! Garshick says that anyone who is hoping to improve overall appearance in the skin, especially when it comes to reducing inflammation, fine lines and wrinkles, could benefit from working the ingredient into their routine.
"Generally, it can be used once daily and helps brighten the skin and reduces inflammation," she says.
Does caffeine help with darkness under eyes?
Whether you have constant dark circle under your eyes or get them after a sleepless night, using a product with caffeine could help.
"It helps to constrict the blood vessels, making them less noticeable," Garshick explains. "This reduces the bluish-gray color that can occur as a result of the under-eye skin being thin and transparent."
It also helps to reduce the puffiness and swelling that you may notice after a night spent tossing and turning.
Is caffeine good for under-eye wrinkles?
Caffeine has antioxidant properties, so it can also help protect the skin from free radical damage, which can contribute to the development of fine lines and wrinkles, Garshick says.
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Meet our experts
- Dr. Marisa K. Garshick, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist for MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery. She serves patients in Manhattan, New York, and Clifton, New Jersey.
- Dr. Hadley King, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. She specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology and also serves as a clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.
