Does caffeine destroy collagen?

"It's worth remembering that coffee doesn't destroy collagen, it inhibits its production," says nutritional therapist at the Pulse Light Clinic, Lisa Borg.

cosmopolitan.com - This is *exactly* what happens to your skin when you drink coffee

Should I drink water on a juice cleanse?

Don't forget to drink up! Drinking up to 8 cups of water a day helps flush out the toxins faster and will get you back on track to feeling amazing....

Last updated Sep 3, 2018

How do you know your liver is healing?

Increased appetite: Digesting foods and nutrients can become easier as the liver healing continues. Usually, your appetite can improve as well....

Last updated Nov 12, 2022

Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Promotion

I can’t remember the last time I went without a takeaway coffee in the morning, and dread to think how much I’ve spent on my caffeine addiction over the years. But it's what wakes me up after a night of musical beds with two young children, and enables me to string a sentence together in early-morning meetings with my colleagues. It’s the reason I’m even able to write this feature. So why do I experience a niggling guilt every time I sup on my frothy flat white? And what exactly is a daily dose of the buzzy stuff doing to my complexion?

What IS caffeine?

"To counteract it being devoured constantly by bugs, the wonderful coffee plant evolved to produce a neurotoxic bug killer that we today call caffeine," explains Dr Michael Barnish, head of genetics and nutrition at REVIV. "Tea did the same." You heard the man, caffeine exists only to kill off a living thing! But before you go cutting up your Costa loyalty card, you'll be relieved to hear that there's a pretty balanced argument for sticking with your beloved coffee...

Should I cut out the coffee?

"Caffeine slows down the rate at which your body makes collagen," explains skin specialist and founder of Nassif MedSpa UK Dr Paul Nassif. "This is the protein that gives your skin its tightness and elasticity, so once it drops, your skin starts to sag and wrinkles appear." He goes on to explain exactly how caffeine interferes with our precious collagen, by inhibiting an enzyme called prolidase, which plays a key role in collagen synthesis. So caffeine is a collagen killer and we should steer clear? Not exactly. "It's worth remembering that coffee doesn’t destroy collagen, it inhibits its production," says nutritional therapist at the Pulse Light Clinic, Lisa Borg. "But not completely or indefinitely, since collagen is the most abundant protein in the body." She also points out that refined carbohydrates and sugar are what destroy collagen, so a good compromise would be to hold off on the sugar and caramel shots. Our bodies also produce an enzyme called CYP1A2, which helps to clear caffeine from the body and break it down for excretion. "Not everyone has the same CYP1A2 enzyme ability," explains Dr Barnish, "therefore caffeine’s impact on the skin's collagen has a strong genetic factor."

Does coffee cause acne?

In a word, no. But if you're prone to breakouts, drinks loaded with milk and sugar could make it worse. Coffee drinking has also been linked to an increase in the stress hormone cortisol, which can be held accountable for a host of skin issues, from premature ageing to dehydration and hormonal breakouts. "It can also increase the amount of oil produced by your sebaceous glands," adds Dr Nassif.

And the good news?

What is better a detox or cleanse?

Detoxing is more comprehensive and stricter in its approach. Goals of a detoxification plan include eliminating toxins, weight loss, and better...

Last updated Mar 18, 2020

What foods put weight on quickly?

Here are 18 of the best foods to help you gain weight or add muscle, the healthy way. Homemade protein smoothies. Drinking homemade protein...

Last updated Apr 8, 2021

Fizzy juice “eats through” 59lbs of stubborn fat

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Promotion

"When caffeine is consumed in moderation, there is little adverse effect to the skin," confirms Dr Nassif. (Phew!) Coffee beans are also phytonutrient rich (as in, they contain nutrients found in plants), and packed with antioxidants that fight free radical damage. "By consuming coffee, you are orally taking on these phytonutrients," confirms Dr Barnish. "They are then used all over the body, not just the skin." Borg echoes these not-to-be-ignored benefits, listing skin regenerating nutrients such as potassium, magnesium and Vitamin B2.

Does caffeine-laced skincare work?

From puffy-eye products to cellulite blitzers, caffeine is constantly popping up in skincare ingredients lists. But does it actually do anything meaningful or is it a marketing buzzword? Dr Nassif says that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties attributed to drinking coffee can also be enjoyed when applying it directly to the skin. "Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor," he explains, "which means it constricts blood vessels - so applying it on red, puffy, or otherwise slightly inflamed skin reduces blood flow to the area, thereby reducing the appearance of inflammation." That said, skin experts also warn of a dehydrating effect (there's always a catch, huh?) "Although the effects are short-term, the caffeine in topical products is often used to decrease the appearance of cellulite by dehydrating the tissue."

So, how much coffee is too much coffee?

After speaking to the experts, it's clear that my one(ish) flat white every morning is nothing to be concerned about. But what about those who drink coffee steadily throughout the day? The general rule seems to be between 2-4 cups daily, but Borg stresses that this number depends on your sensitivity to caffeine. "I would personally recommend 1-3 cups daily." Keeping your coffee drinking to the AM is also important, as caffeine can have a disruptive effect on your sleep when enjoyed too late in the day (and it's not called beauty sleep for nothing). "Not sleeping enough will negatively affect your skin,"confirms Dr Nassif. "Your body won’t make as much human growth hormone, which stimulates cell production. This means your body won’t be able to produce new skin cells to reverse the previous day’s damage." He also advises upping your daily water intake from the recommended 6-8 glasses, in order to stay hydrated and keep your skin looking plump and fresh.

Noted. But first, coffee... ☕️

Subscribe here to have Cosmopolitan delivered to your door.

Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.

cosmopolitan.com - This is *exactly* what happens to your skin when you drink coffee

Are 1,500 calories a day enough?

A 1,500-calorie diet fits the needs of many people who want to lose fat and improve health. Like any healthy diet it should include mostly whole,...

Last updated Nov 8, 2021

Can you survive scurvy?

Scurvy will improve with doses of vitamin C as low as 10 mg per day though doses of around 100 mg per day are typically recommended. Most people...

Last updated Feb 23, 2018

Traditional “juice” activates 24/7 fat-burning

A scrumptious morning smoothy based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

Promotion

Does lemon water reduce bloating?

Lemon water can help with digestion To relieve bloating, gas, and constipation, drink a cup of lemon water first thing in the morning on an empty...

Last updated Apr 28, 2018

Purple weed obliterates 72lbs of flab

The main ingredient for a potent powdered supplement, based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

Promotion

Does fasting from 8pm to 12pm work?

By restricting calorie consumption to a specific time period each day or week (for example, only eating between 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.), you could lose...

Last updated Aug 30, 2019