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Many of us turn to a morning cup of coffee to combat fatigue, but a caffeine hit is just as effective when it comes to perking up our skin.
Caffeine is being hailed as a wonder ingredient for a whole myriad of beauty needs, from stimulating the scalp for faster hair growth to combatting fine lines and wrinkles.
But one benefit of caffeine-infused skincare that feels particularly apt is its effect on dark circles, meaning you’ll still look like you’ve had a full eight hours, even if that’s not the case.
In that way, people are raving about Mancave’s Anti-Fatigue Eye Gel, which targets dark circles, puffiness, inflammation and fine lines, with a powerhouse trio of caffeine, plus brightening Vitamin C (in the form of Kakadu Plum Extract) and skin-soothing Vitamin E.
Plus, at just £10.50 it’s a complete steal, but that’s neither here nor there.
The reviews have called this product ‘excellent value’ and claim it ‘seriously reduces darkness under the eyes’.
The serum is free from parabens, petrochemicals, synthetic dyes and mineral oils, meaning its less likely to irritate the eye area.
And the results speak for themself, with one happy shopper writing: ‘This is easily the best eye gel I have ever used, it’s not slimey feeling, it absorbs into the skin under the eyes without a problem and is a good selection for face and eye hydration [sic].’
Another wrote on the brand’s website: ‘Great eye gel. Tightens the area and does make a difference unlike other eye creams I’ve used. Obviously it’s a temporary effect but certainly gives you a boost in the morning.’
So how does this ingredient work, and can it help reduce dark circles?
Caffeine work in skincare – what’s the science?
‘Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor which constricts the blood vessels or makes them smaller,’ explains Ridah Syed, Senior Medical Aesthetician from Skinfluencer London.
‘This in turn makes the skin look brighter and tighter. Hence caffeine is often used in, and an important ingredient, in skincare products. The molecules in caffeine are small enough to penetrate the top layers of the skin and therefore they work intradermally.’
As caffeine constricts the blood vessels, making skin appear tighter and, as a result, lighter, it’s a popular choice for the under-eye area.
‘Apart from being a vasoconstrictor, coffee is also a rich source of niacin (Vitamin b3), which reduces inflammation,’ Syed explains.
‘This helps combat under-eye bags and puffiness, perking up the area. It’s always a good option to look for eye creams with caffeine, along with Vitamin C, and Vitamin K.’
Can caffeine help with fine lines and wrinkles?
Caffeine is an antioxidant, meaning it can help to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals.
Caffeine also has anti-inflammatory properties, and as inflammation has been linked by medical studies to skin ageing more quickly, this can also help with keeping fine lines and wrinkles at bay.
‘Caffeine is protective against oxidative stress,’ Syed tells us. ‘It is an antioxidant and can help repair damaged skin. It is known to offer protection against photodamage, so is useful in preventing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles due to sun damage.
‘However, it’s important to remember that caffeine as a skincare ingredient is generally regarded as a quick fix, rather than a long-term solution.’
You can pick up the Anti-Fatigue Eye Gel here for just £10.50.
MORE : Loved by Kim Kardashian and Margot Robbie, this ‘wrinkle-reducing’ cream was voted ‘best skincare product of all time’
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