Pimples from coffee milk or skin sagging from caffeine? That’s how it is.
Whether you can’t start the day without your standard Americano, or prefer to mix your coffee with a generous dose of ice and milk as a sweet treat: opinions about the perfect cup of coffee vary widely. And what exactly does it do for your health? That has also been a subject of discussion for years. We went looking for what exactly such a cup of comfort does to your peach skin.
Big difference
Some skin experts swear off any form of caffeine, while others point out the powerful antioxidants contained in a cup of comfort. It’s one of the most consumed and (probably because of that) one of the most researched drinks out there, but there’s little consensus about the pros and cons of coffee. What is certain is that the way you drink the ground coffee beans can make a difference.
Caffeine
Let’s start with the good news: caffeine is a source of antioxidants such as polyphenols. These are said to counteract free radicals, a consequence of the two great enemies of healthy skin: pollution and UV rays. If the latter two are given free rein, they can damage our collagen and elastin. And that in turn leads to aging of the skin. The protection against these free radicals is therefore a bonus. It would mean that caffeine can keep our skin young and firm.
Dietitian Katherine Zertsky of the MayoClinic certainly does not agree that caffeine causes dehydration of the skin. “Drinks containing caffeine may have a diuretic effect, but they do not appear to increase the risk of dehydration.”
So there are no reasons yet to give up coffee or opt for a caffeine-free variant. But it’s not that simple.
“There is a lot of variation in the way people respond to caffeine,” dermatologist Aanand Geria told The Zoe Report. In some people, coffee consumption can lead to higher cortisol production. And the ‘stress hormone’ cortisol is linked to skin problems such as premature aging and dehydration. Exactly those ailments that the antioxidants in caffeine counteract. According to the dermatologist, the net effect of caffeine on the skin is actually zero. “When caffeine is consumed in limited quantities, there should really be no negative effect on the skin.”
Cappuccinos and lattes
On the other hand, what you add to your coffee can have consequences for your skin.
Do you like a dash of milk in your coffee? Unfortunately, this can contribute to impure skin. Most studies agree that cow’s milk can make acne worse. “Choose organic, whole milk,” recommends dermatologist Stefanie Williams in Woman and Home. “That type contains less lactose and has a lower GI, so it has less of an impact on your insulin levels.”
You can also make a cappuccino or latte with a plant-based alternative. Almond milk, oat milk and cashew milk are the best choices if you also want to please your skin with your cup of coffee. There is still some controversy about soy milk, as is the case with many things in coffee science.
Probably unnecessarily: that sugar or syrup in your (iced) coffee is also not the best choice for radiant skin, so it is better not to stir it into your cup every day. They probably have a greater negative effect on your skin than the other ingredients of your daily coffee.
Source: Woman and Home, The Zoe Report, Healthline, GoodGlow | Image: Adobe Stock
