You know who you are—coffee aficionados decked out in “Mondays are for happy juice” slogans, with latte stickers printed across your T-shirts. Yes, I’m talking to you.
Coffee is our ride-or-die on both good days and bad, and it has certainly carved out a notable niche for itself in a country brimming with chai enthusiasts. But how much of that caffeine buzz is actually good for you—and more importantly, for your skin?
The hard truth is that your beloved brew might be perking you up, but dulling your skin. Here’s how to enjoy your cuppa joe without jinxing your glow.
Also Read: Tea bags alone can’t hold off post-party puffy eyes. You need a night routine
Coffee and dehydration
So, you’ve had your first cup of the day. You’re feeling buzzed (or anxious, whatever helps you work faster) and you think it’s time for the next cup because more happy java juice could only mean more productivity, right?
Wrong.
Coffee takes as much as it gives. Caffeine, being an infamous diuretic, nudges your kidneys into producing more urine, which means more frequent bathroom visits.
So, your hydration levels go south and dehydrated skin, as we all know, is nobody’s friend. Dry skin, dry patches, and even lines start to make an unfriendly guest appearance if your hydration is not on point.
Now, before you come at me with pitchforks, I’m not suggesting you cut caffeine out entirely. Personally, I always have a glass of water before every cuppa Joe, whether it’s summer or winter. Take it from someone who’s been in the skincare business for over 13 years—for every cup of coffee you drink, have a glass of water. Sure, this might mean a few extra bathroom breaks, but it’s far better than having your skin go from dewy to dry and patchy.
Acidity is not your friend
Caffeine’s acidic nature can make your hormones run amok. This could, in turn, prompt your skin’s oil glands to go into overdrive. So, the next time you reach for your third espresso, channel your inner Amitabh Bachchan from Deewar and write a reminder on your arm: “One more shot, and ‘oil’ won’t end well”.
Because the more caffeine you consume, the higher the risk of your skin developing an oily shine. And you know what follows— acne breakouts and a complexion that constantly swings between oily and dry.
Dump that latte
Listen up, boss babes (yes, I know, cringe)—do yourself a favour and toss that caramel-whipped-cream-vanilla-affogato-mochaccino into the trash where it belongs. It could be the main culprit behind your acne woes.
Don’t get me wrong— I am a huge fan of coffee myself, in all forms. Whether it’s Sumatran, Arabica, or Robusta, I could talk your ear off about it until tomorrow’s roast. But as a dermatologist, I must warn that dairy milk is a key contributor to the hormonal changes that can bring about those hellish acne breakouts.
So, a latte or a partaay with flawless skin?
You decide.
Do you know what else is a sneaky culprit? Sugar. It kicks off a thoroughly annoying reaction called glycation, which weakens your skin’s collagen—your skin’s version of Joey Tribbiani. Collagen protects your skin. Collagen is your friend.
So, my advice? Ditch all milk-sugar-coffee-whipped cream abominations for wrinkle-sagging-lines-free skin!
An enemy of beauty sleep
Yes, coffee is your friend when you want to pull an all-nighter. Reports, binge-watching, study sessions—coffee is your reliable partner through it all.
But what happens when you have too much of it after hours?
A gigantic mess of your sleep patterns, that’s what. Seriously, there are few things more damaging for your skin than sleep deprivation. Lack of sleep brings about early ageing, that unwanted puff pastry look I mentioned in my last piece, and dark circles.
Think of it this way: your skin is just another organ that needs some downtime to recuperate from the day’s activities and stressors. This is where sleep comes into the picture. And if you’re not sleeping properly or enough, then the biggest victim is going to be your pretty skin.
So, if you don’t want to resemble Sleepy from Snow White, switch to something caffeine-free as your go-to drink after noon. Maybe some herbal tea?
Your skin will be grateful, that I can guarantee.
Coffee, stress & breakouts
Caffeine is a great jumpstart to the day. It is also a great jumpstart to your stress levels. It triggers your stress responses, which then ramps cortisol—the hormone we love, hate, and sometimes love to hate.
Elevated cortisol levels can increase your skin’s oil production, leaving your face resembling the “before” picture of a facial cream ad.
Moral of the story: coffee may not directly cause acne, but it can definitely make your skin oilier, which makes acne more likely. If you’re generally prone to stressors and have skin that’s susceptible to breakouts, do your skin (and yourself) a favour and limit your coffee intake.
Also Read: Zinc and magnesium are your skin’s BFFs. They reduce pimples, inflammation
Don’t quit— moderate
Like with everything else in life, moderation is key when it comes to coffee. For every cup of coffee you inhale, have a glass of water, and opt for non-dairy, sugar-free caffeine options (remember, no pitchforks please). Then, you might just leave your skin and your subsequent mental faculties a lot healthier in the long term.
So, let me leave you with this: pay attention to your skin. Notice what triggers acne breakouts, oily sheens, and Atacama-level dry patches. And maybe experiment more with non-caffeinated drinks.
Dr Deepali Bhardwaj is a dermatologist, anti-allergy specialist, laser surgeon and internationally trained aesthetician. She tweets @dermatdoc. Views are personal.
(Edited by Asavari Singh)