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Thursday, 31 July 2014 14:59

Skin Care MYTHS: Drinking too much caffeine has a negative effect on the skin.

Written by   Rachelle Dupree, marketing and communications at Vivoderm Laboratories, Inc.

STATEMENT: Drinking too much caffeine has a negative effect on the skin.

Facts: Is caffeine bad for your skin? The current scientific research says yes and no. According to recent studies, up to 90 percent of Americans consume caffeine daily in one form or another, whether that is through coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, or even chocolate and pain relievers. According to the Mayo Clinic, up to four cups of coffee (400 mg) a day is considered safe. But for many, this amount of caffeine is
too much.

Current debates focus mainly on the benefits or risks of ingesting caffeine – with a long list of health pros and cons including: increased energy, greater mental focus, lowers risks of certain diseases like Alzheimer’s and heart disease, countered by sleep disorders, chronic fatigue, high blood pressure, acid reflux, and bone loss, among others.
Still other experts claim that excess caffeine speeds up the aging process in skin by reducing the production of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), melatonin, and other vital hormones. Caffeine has also been shown to dehydrate the body and contribute to aging of the skin and kidneys.
The holistic approach says what your put in your body will show on the outside. If you are consuming too much caffeine, you may have drained your adrenals and thrown your hormones out of whack, then you could expect an acne eruption or dry skin patches.
On a side note, topical skin treatments like caffeinated eye creams and using tea bags on puffy eyes have had little negative feedback and seem to be perfectly fine for perking up your skin after a long day or late night.
Bottom line: It is all up to you. As with many forms of stimulants, moderation is key. Trust your instincts when it comes to your body and how your skin responds.

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