Table 1.

Caffeine benefits overview

Skin condition	Topical caffeine benefits
Skin cancer	• Caffeine ingested orally and applied topically in the form of creams and lotions has proven to be pro-apoptotic to UVB-induced basal cell hyperplasia
	• Caffeine applied topically after UV-irradiation in the forms of creams and water-soluble formulations promotes the deletion of DNA-damaged keratinocytes
	• Caffeine applied before UVB exposure acts as an anti-photoaging agent due to the down-regulation of matrix metalloproteinases
Sun protection
	• Topically applied caffeine inhibits the UVB-induced formation of thymine dimers
	• When compared to UVB treated control, creams and lotions including caffeine reduced the UVB-induced wrinkle formation by 35%
	• Caffeine supplementation to sunscreen products increased the SPF value by directly absorbing damaging UV rays, increasing the anti-UVB protection by 25%
Cosmetics and cosmeceuticals	• Male androgenic alopecia: Topically applied caffeine products increase dermal microcirculation to hair follicles and inhibits 5-alpha reductase
	• Cellulite (gynoid lipodystrophy) treatment: Topically applied caffeine products increase lipolysis and inhibit alpha-adrenergic receptors, which prevent fat accumulation. Water-soluble caffeine also increases microcirculation and lymphatic drainage, promoting the clearance of adipocytes during lipolysis.
	• Dark, puffy under eyes: caffeine's vasoconstrictive effects promote a lightening appearance and a decrease in oedema
	• Caffeine decreases the phototoxicity of popular skin-whitening products such as 5-methoxypsoralen, commonly used in China