11 of Our Favorite Skincare Products That Contain Caffeine

November 08, 2024

By: Cat Matta | skincare.com by L'Oréal

Many of us can’t imagine our day starting without a cup of coffee or two. But as it turns out, caffeine isn’t just good for waking up our minds—there are a lot of benefits of caffeine for skin too. Caffeine skincare encompasses a wide range of products, from eye creams to serums and moisturizers designed to help perk up your skin. Used topically, products with caffeine can help temporarily alleviate puffiness, diminish the appearance of dark circles, and make your skin appear brighter and more even.

If you’re interested in learning more about the effects of caffeine on the skin, read on. Ahead, we’re spilling details on the benefits of adding caffeine to your skincare routine, plus introducing you to 11 of our favorite products made with the energizing essential.

What Are the Benefits of Caffeine for Skin?

If you’re wondering if caffeine is good in skincare, the answer is often yes. While you’ll often find caffeine in eye creams, the truth is that caffeine benefits for skin are varied—the ingredient can be used for a lot more than waking up tired-looking eyes. Here are a few of the most notable benefits of caffeine for the skin:

Helps protect against skin damage: According to the Cleveland Clinic, products with caffeine can help protect the skin against free radicals generated by exposure to environmental stressors, including air pollution and ultraviolet radiation. Adding a product such as a caffeine face lotion to your morning skincare routine can therefore help protect your skin from these stressors—just don’t forget the sunscreen, too.
Brightens skin’s appearance: As mentioned, caffeine can temporarily brighten dull, tired-looking skin to promote a more youthful, radiant appearance.
Helps reduce redness: If you’re prone to redness on your cheeks or around your nose, consider adding a caffeine serum to your routine. Per the Cleveland Clinic, products with caffeine can help alleviate redness and soothe the skin.
De-puffs and brightens under-eyes: If you’re looking for ways to help wake up a tired-looking face, reaching for a caffeine eye cream may be the perfect place to start. Products with caffeine can help temporarily improve the look of puffy eye bags and dark circles by making them appear smoother and brighter.

Are There Side Effects of Caffeine in Skincare?

Using products that contain caffeine is generally considered safe, though your skin type and the formulation of the products you’re using can influence how your skin responds. As such, it’s always wise to get your dermatologist’s opinion before trying any new skincare ingredient for the first time, particularly if you’re prone to sensitivity or have reactive skin. And remember, the benefits of caffeine for skin are temporary. So if you’re looking to use a caffeine eye cream to smooth puffy eyes or minimize the appearance of dark circles, you’ll get the best results if you use it in the morning rather than the evening.

11 Skincare Products With Caffeine

Now that you’re caught up on the benefits of caffeine for skin, let’s get to the good part. Below, find 11 of our favorite caffeine skincare products to use in your morning skincare routine.

L'Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 2.5% Hyaluronic Acid + Caffeine Under Eye Serum

Sometimes the best caffeine eye creams aren’t creams at all, but serums. And one of our favorites in this category is the RevitaLift eye serum from L’Oréal Paris. The non-greasy formula contains 1% pure caffeine and 1.5% hyaluronic acid and helps hydrate and energize the under-eye area, diminishing the appearance of puffiness and dark circles. Use the metal ball applicator to apply the fast-absorbing formula for a quick (and refreshing!) eye contour massage.

Youth to the People 15% Vitamin C + Caffeine Energy Serum

Kick-start your morning routine with this vitamin C serum. The ultralight formula contains yerba mate and guayusa—both of which are rich natural sources of caffeine—and helps brighten the skin, boost hydration, and visibly reduce morning puffiness.

La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Eye Cream for Dark Circles

If dark circles are your primary concern, consider adding this brightening eye cream to your routine. It contains caffeine and niacinamide and helps improve the appearance of both blue and brown dark circles for a brighter, smoother-looking eye area.

Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Energizing Moisture Treatment for Men

Wake up dull, fatigued skin with this moisturizer designed specifically for men’s skin. The non-greasy formula contains vitamin C, vitamin E, and caffeine and helps revive tired skin for a healthier appearance. It also works well as a hydrating aftershave treatment to help protect skin from post-shave irritation.

SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye for Dark Circles

This anti-aging eye cream features a potent blend of proxylane, peptides, antioxidant-rich fruit extracts, and—you guessed it—caffeine. Apply it to your under-eye area in the morning to help reduce the appearance of crow’s feet, minimize dark circles, and diminish puffiness. The silky formula also contains optical diffusers that help scatter light to immediately blur visible under-eye discoloration.

IT Cosmetics Confidence in an Eye Cream Anti-Aging Peptide Eye Cream

The skin around your eyes is thin and tends to be susceptible to unique concerns, including crow’s feet, sagging, dryness, and of course, dark circles. This silky eye cream helps tackle all four of those common age-related concerns while delivering up to 48 hours of hydration for a smoother, brighter-looking eye area.

Skinbetter Science InterFuse Treatment Cream Eye

Peptides, hyaluronic acid, caffeine, and a vitamin C-rich fruit extract come together in this potent eye cream, which is designed for dry, wrinkled skin. Dab a rice grain-sized amount onto your under-eye area each morning and night to instantly smooth the appearance of crow’s feet, de-puff under-eye bags, and diminish dryness.

Vichy LiftActiv H.A Anti-Wrinkle Firming Day Cream

Whether your skin is dry and wrinkled or simply appears a little duller than you’d like, this fragrance-free moisturizer can make dor a great addition to your AM skincare routine. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and caffeine and helps plump and smooth the skin while minimizing the appearance of wrinkles and laxity over time.

Youth to the People 10% AHA + Yerba Mate Smoothing Energy Body Scrub

If you’re wondering “Is caffeine good for the skin on your body,” the answer is—perhaps unsurprisingly—yes. Of course, you’ll want to use a product specifically formulated for your body in order to reap the desired results. This skin-smoothing body scrub is among our favorites to elevate a tired shower routine. The caffeine-infused formula contains both chemical and physical exfoliants to help smooth the skin, buff away buildup, and unclog congested pores. We recommend using it twice a week or as needed to help promote soft, silky skin.

Tonymoly I’m Coffee Gel to Cream Smoothing Scrub Mask

Most of us throw out (or compost!) our coffee grounds—this innovative scrub-to-cream mask makes them the star of the show. According to the brand, this coffee-infused mask helps buff away dead skin cells, decongest clogged pores, and hydrates the skin. Plus, the freshly-brewed fragrance is seriously uplifting—like a perfect cup of hot coffee on a chilly fall day.

Next Up: Our 21 Favorite Moisturizers for Every Skin Concern