What is caffeine, why is it introduced into cosmetics. Contraindications for topical use. Recipes for home cosmetic formulations with caffeine, application features. Caffeine is an alkaloid, which in its pure form is represented by large white or colorless crystals, bitter in taste. Other names for the substance are terin, gurain, matenin. It is found in many plants - in coffee and chocolate trees, in mate tea, in cola herb, in guarana. They produce a substance to protect against insects that parasitize them. The characteristic aroma and unpleasant taste repels pests. If the "brave man" had time to taste the protected leaves, he gets drunk, weakens, but has time to give a signal of danger. Other members of the species change their route.
Description of caffeine
The first description of caffeine was made by the German chemist Ferdinand Runge in 1819, and he gave the substance a name that is still used today.
In its pure form, the substance was isolated from the leaves of the tea tree by another chemist - Udri, but did not establish identity with the already known alkaloid, but gave a different name - theine. In 1838, Yobst and Mulder proved the identity of theine and caffeine.
Hermann Emil Fischer received the Nobel Prize in 1902 - he not only structured the alkaloid, but also synthesized it artificially.
When it enters the human body, caffeine takes part in metabolic processes, accelerates the heartbeat, stimulates the activity of the nervous tissue - in particular, the work of the brain. The alkaloid has a pronounced tonic effect, increases blood pressure, increases the production of digestive enzymes, secretion of gastric juice and blood glucose levels, and has a weak analgesic effect.
With the abuse of products that include caffeine, the heart rate is accelerated even in healthy people. The weakened may develop a hypertensive crisis.
The benefits of caffeine as a component of cosmetics
When applied topically, the substance, albeit in a small amount, is absorbed into the upper layers of the dermis and enters the bloodstream through the peripheral blood supply system. It is due to this property that caffeine is widely used in cosmetics.
It is used:
- As an anti-cellulite agent … Absorbed into the deep layers of the dermis, it promotes the transformation of adipose tissue, stimulates the breakdown of fatty acids into triglyceride, glycerin and water.
- As a tonic … As an ingredient for scrubs or peels, it accelerates the blood supply to the upper layer of the skin, helps to remove old cells and further rapid regeneration of the skin.
- As an antioxidant … Increases local immunity of open skin and hair growth zones, normalizes the functioning of hair follicles.
- As a deodorant component … Influencing the rate of metabolic processes in the upper layers of the dermis, it normalizes the secretion of sebum and the work of sweat glands, changes the smell of natural secretions.
- To eliminate pigmentation, inflammation and edema … With the acceleration of blood circulation and an increase in the flow of nutrients and oxygen, the production of its own collagen and elastin increases, excess fluid accumulating under the skin is washed out.
- To reduce the depth and number of wrinkles … With accelerated blood circulation, ptosis (sagging) is significantly reduced, and the tone of the micro-muscles that are in the skin increases.
- As a local pain reliever … Caffeine has a cooling effect.
When combined with other cosmetic ingredients - yeast, essential oils, natural acids, etc.- The beneficial effect of caffeine on organic tissues is increased.
Cosmetologists recommend purchasing cosmetics for the face with caffeine for signs of early aging, with increased pigmentation, with swelling under the eyes; for hair - to accelerate their growth and fight dandruff; for the body - to eliminate cellulite. The positive effect of using funds with this alkaloid in purulent-inflammatory processes has been proven - in the treatment of acne.
Contraindications to the use of caffeine
Cosmetic caffeine does not participate in metabolic processes, does not affect the activity of the nervous system - it has only a local effect, therefore it does not pose any danger to the human body.
Cosmetics with this substance can be safely used with high blood pressure, with a history of mental illness. There are no age restrictions on the use of caffeinated cosmetics.
You cannot use such funds only with the development of individual intolerance, the symptoms of which are similar to local allergic reactions: the appearance of itching and irritation, redness, rash.
Adverse reactions in the form of asthmatic attacks occurred in isolated cases, but it was not possible to prove a direct dependence on caffeine in the composition of the drug. Industrial cosmetics include flavored components, so it has not yet been possible to find out the exact cause of the attacks.
Caffeinated Beauty Recipes
At home, caffeine is added to body wraps designed to combat cellulite, face and hair masks, and anti-aging formulations are prepared with it. With minor cosmetic defects, homemade products are made on the basis of coffee and strong tea - products that contain a large amount of caffeine. If the negative changes are pronounced, then it is necessary to enrich the cosmetics with pure caffeine - it can be purchased at the pharmacy, packing - ampoules.
Anti-Cellulite Caffeine Wraps
In addition to the fresh composition against cellulite, in advance, you should stock up on plastic wrap of such length that it is enough to wrap it around the body 4-5 times, and warm clothes that you do not mind getting dirty.
Anti-cellulite course - 10 procedures in 2-3 days. The duration of the procedure is usually 45-90 minutes, it all depends on the effect of the products. If the remedy is "burning", you should not endure the pain - it can cause irritation of the skin, which will be difficult to get rid of. In addition, you will have to refrain from wrapping all the time of treatment.
Recipes for cellulite formulations:
- With white clay … In order to further process the buttocks, abdomen and thighs, you need to have on hand 2 ampoules of Caffeine, 2 packs of white clay, a little ground coffee and enough milk to knead the dough of a homogeneous structure. All ingredients are mixed, to enhance the effect, you can add 3-4 drops of mandarin or orange essential oil. Milk, before mixing with clay, needs to be slightly warmed up.
- With honey … All ingredients are the same as in the previous recipe, only fresh liquid honey is used instead of clay. If it is melted, then the maximum heating temperature should be 30 degrees. With more heat, honey loses its beneficial properties.
- Burning wrap … Cannot be kept on the body for more than 15-20 minutes. In the pharmacy, they buy Kapsikam ointment, Caffeine in ampoules and a baby cream. Squeeze baby cream into glass or porcelain dishes, literally one "pea" of Capsicam, and pour in Caffeine. They do not apply it on the stomach - there is very delicate skin. Rinse off in the shower using detergent.
- Pharmacy wrap … Mix liquid honey (3 tablespoons) with Papaverine and Caffeine from ampoules - 2 ampoules each. Wash off after 2-3 hours. Before applying the anti-cellulite composition, it is advisable to do an energetic massage - treat the skin on problem areas with a rubber brush to enhance blood circulation.
- Formulation for a light effect on the skin … Freshly ground coffee is mixed with blue clay, dissolved in a small amount of boiled water, enriched with 3 drops of any citrus oil and applied to the body.
It is impossible to fight cellulite with wraps when the temperature rises, during pregnancy and lactation, with diabetes mellitus, with hypertension and during menstruation. If the skin is damaged, then you should wait for the complete healing of microcracks and scratches.
After the procedure, you need to rinse and apply a cream on the body - emollient or anti-cellulite, enriched with moisturizing ingredients.
Caffeinated face masks
Pure Caffeine is rarely injected into face masks - only when the skin inflammation is acute or age-related changes are much ahead of age. In this case, the home composition can be supplemented with half an ampoule of the pure substance. Caffeine face masks:
- To improve tone … Coffee beans are ground, combined with honey, sour cream - in the same amount, 1 egg protein. After a quarter of an hour, wash off. The cream is applied no earlier than after 4 hours.
- From wrinkles … Ground coffee - 1 part - is mixed with 3 parts of honey. It is best to take a dessert spoon as a measure. Apply for 20 minutes. You can add a little cognac, 2 drops of orange essential oil and half an ampoule of Caffeine.
- From comedones … Ingredients: pharmacy black clay - 4 parts, sea salt, slaked with vinegar - 1 part, ground coffee and orange peel - 2 parts. Mix until homogeneous, remove with a damp cloth after 10-15 minutes. You can wash your face only after half an hour. If the comedones are inflamed, the cosmetic procedure is not performed.
- For edema for young skin … Green coffee essential oil, 3 drops, mixed with a tablespoon of sour cream. Keep 15 minutes. The effect will be noticeable after 2-3 hours, and the color will become smoother.
- Fruit mask for oily skin … Mix 2 teaspoons of grape puree and grated apple, a tablespoon of ground coffee and half an ampoule of Caffeine. Apply in a thick layer for 10 minutes. Wash off only with cold water. If it bakes, then everything is washed off immediately.
- To soften the skin … Mix olive oil with ground coffee in a ratio of 2 to 1, add a little sour cream. It should be kept for 15-20 minutes.
Prepare the skin before applying the face mask. For this, cosmetics and household dirt are thoroughly washed off, the face is warmed up for 10 minutes using a water bath or lotions are applied to it - wet hot wipes.
It is interesting! There is more caffeine in freshly ground coffee, the effect of coffee grounds is rather cleansing.
Caffeinated cleansers
When preparing for masks for tightening the skin or removing acne, it is advisable to treat oily skin with a coffee scrub. The multi-component composition can simultaneously act as a cleanser and a mask. Dry or prone to inflammation of the dermis is cleansed with gommage - the so-called cleansing products with smaller particles, supplemented with nutritious ingredients that are gentle on the skin.
Skin cleansers:
- Coffee and almond scrub … The coffee grounds are mixed with ground almond peel - a dessert spoon, add almond oil and brown sugar - a teaspoon each. The scrub is quite rough.
- Coffee-salt scrub … Mix a tablespoon of ground coffee with the same amount of sea salt.
- Gommage with coffee … Plain yogurt is mixed with ground coffee.
- Gommage gel-coffee … Ground coffee is combined in equal proportions with gel or foam for washing. Foam the product before applying to the skin.
- Gommage from coffee with oatmeal … Oatmeal is mixed with freshly ground coffee - 2 to 1, brewed with milk. After application, keep on the face for 15-20 minutes, until dry. If the mixture is not brewed, you will not get a gommage, but a scrub.
- Gentle gommage … Mix a tablespoon of coffee grounds, 1 teaspoon of olive oil, 3 drops of lemon essential oil.
Cleansers are applied to the face with your fingers along the massage lines, in a thick layer, then the skin is mechanically treated - it is easily rubbed with your fingers.
Gommage can be held for another 10 minutes, the scrub is washed off. If they plan to make a mask further, the scrub is removed with hot water, if not - with cold water so that the pores close. The nourishing cream is applied no earlier than 30 minutes later.
It is recommended to clean oily skin 3 times a week, normal 1 time a week, dry - 1-2 times a month.
Hair masks with caffeine
Masks with caffeine stimulate the work of hair follicles - hair becomes shiny and healthy, dryness and brittleness are eliminated. Caffeine blocks testosterone, which is produced by the body and distributed to all tissues and organs - it is this hormone that slows down hair growth.
Hair mask recipes:
- To improve shine and eliminate dryness … Pour 2 tablespoons of ground coffee into the third part of a glass of olive oil and add 4 drops of orange essential oil.
- To soften and nourish … Ground coffee is brewed with boiling water - a little water is taken to make a coffee gruel. Mix this mass with olive or burdock oil, stirring continuously, and drive in the egg yolks.
- Hair growth stimulant … Ground coffee and the same amount of onion gruel are mixed with burdock oil - about a quarter by volume, honey and an ampoule of Caffeine are added.
- Coffee oil for the treatment of alopecia … Freshly ground coffee is mixed with castor oil - proportions 1 to 5, removed for a week in a dark place. In the future, it is used as a hair mask.
Hair masks are applied to clean, damp hair - first on the scalp, and then distributed along the length. Insulate - first with a film, and then with a towel, leave for 20-30 minutes. Wash off with a mild shampoo - better for children, rinse with acidified water - 1 liter of water and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, or 1 liter of water and half a glass of lemon juice.
If you are allergic to coffee as a product or to caffeine as a medicine, this ingredient is not added to home formulations. Also, do not take the risk and do chocolate wraps - there is also caffeine in chocolate, albeit in a small amount. How to use caffeine in cosmetics - watch the video:
You can experiment with the compositions of home cosmetics with coffee, change one ingredient for another, increase and decrease the amount of the main components. If pure caffeine from an ampoule is used as an ingredient, then it is not recommended to increase its amount - it is a natural activator with an intense action, and its abuse can cause skin irritation. The condition of the skin and hair is the best indicator of home formulations, it is on it that you need to focus on when choosing ingredients.
