Q: I've always considered my coffee-drinking habit a vice, but I've recently heard that caffeine might be good for skin. Is my morning java helping or hurting my complexion?

A: Good news: For the most part, caffeine is actually good for your skin, but we don't know how much caffeine is needed to get these beneficial effects.

Studies have shown that caffeine -- found in particularly high amounts in coffee and tea -- is a powerful antioxidant, meaning it can help fight the inflammation and aging caused by free radicals. Moreover, a series of studies performed on mice offers very promising evidence that caffeine's antioxidant properties may minimize a person's risk of skin cancer -- and even repair some UV damage once it has occurred.

Incidentally, topical products with caffeine are great for your skin. In addition to offering the anti-aging, anti-carcinogenic benefits you get from your morning cup o' joe, topical caffeine is particularly effective in constricting blood vessels and minimizing redness and flushing.

I often recommend caffeine-based products like La Roche-Posay Rosaliac and Replenix Cream CF to patients who suffer from rosacea. You'll also find caffeine in many eye creams, as it can quickly minimize under-eye puffiness too.

Of course, there are just a couple of caveats: Caffeine is dehydrating, and that's not good for your skin or any other part of your body. Be sure to follow your morning coffee with plenty of water. Furthermore, anyone prone to flushing might notice that hot beverages can worsen redness -- they're better off enjoying coffee and tea over ice.

Join the discussion

Note: If this is your first time using our NEW commenting system, you will have to LOG OUT and then LOG BACK IN.

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

     Showing: Oldest first Newest first Most-recommended first Least-recommended first

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.CommentBody@

@Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@