Jiving for java. Craving caffeine. Running on coffee. No matter which way you slice it—or drink it, as the case may be—caffeine provides that sometimes much-needed boost of energy throughout the day. But what about using caffeine overnight—and in your skincare routine, no less?
Well, if you’re nervous about caffeine keeping you awake, there’s a beauty trend you may want to try. Caffeine sleeping masks are all the rage right now! But what are the benefits of caffeine in skincare—and should you actually incorporate a caffeine sleeping mask into your evening skincare routine before bed?
Curious about what caffeine can do for your under-eye area after you slip between your sheets (and rest upon your Saatva mattress, of course)? Keep reading for the ins and outs of caffeine sleeping masks and whether they’re a necessary added buzz (pun intended) in your nighttime skincare routine.
What is a caffeine sleeping mask?
Simply put, a caffeine sleeping mask is a skincare mask that includes the aforementioned hero ingredient, caffeine. This type of overnight face mask is typically infused and formulated with not only caffeine but a host of ingredients to help boost your skin while you snooze.
A caffeine face mask may also contain hyaluronic acid, which helps skin retain moisture and look and feel more supple and nourished. As you may have already assumed, caffeine sleeping masks are applied before bed.
What are the benefits of caffeine sleeping masks?
Caffeine contains myriad skincare benefits. Caffeine’s potent antioxidant properties help give “an even appearance to the skin’s surface,” says Akis Ntonos, family nurse practitioner, cosmetic injector, and founder of Aion Aesthetics. He says it also helps with “healthier, brighter skin, improves circulation, and helps tired-looking eyes appear awake and revitalized.”
Some additional benefits from adding caffeine to your skincare routine include:
- Diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Decreases under-eye bags and puffiness
- Reducing the appearance of dark circles
- Helping skin appear brighter and more luminous
Caffeine can also help stimulate blood circulation around the eyes, which aids in the under-eye area looking fresh and rejuvenated come morning.
How do you use a caffeine sleeping mask?
When it comes to applying a caffeine face mask, here are a few tried-and-true tips and tricks:
- Ntonos recommends applying the mask to clean, dry skin with circular motions. Apply all over your face (avoiding your eyes and mouth) and even onto your neck.
- Leave the mask on overnight to achieve maximum results. Yes, get that caffeine kick while you sleep! Then, simply wash it off in the morning by rinsing it with warm water and then patting your skin dry.
- You can actually use a caffeine sleeping mask every day. However, if you’re worried about the effects of caffeine on your skin, start with one to two times a week and work up from there.
Are there any downsides to using a caffeine sleeping mask?
While there’s a multitude of benefits that come from including caffeine in your skincare routine, it’s definitely worth noting that since everyone’s skin and body makeup are different, this isn’t necessarily the right treatment or cure-all for every issue.
Some of the downsides of including caffeine in your skincare routine can include:
Redness
Because the topical application of caffeine to the skin can increase circulation, it may cause additional redness in the skin.
Lack of sleep
While not a guarantee, applying caffeine to your skin may disrupt sleep and prevent you from getting your full eight hours. Some people may find they are extra sensitive to caffeine and even having it in their face mask overnight keeps them from sleeping enough.
Limited results
While the benefits of including caffeine in your skincare routine are vast, it should also be noted that they can be temporary. (Hence the need to apply it multiple times a week!)
The good news? While ingesting caffeine during pregnancy is a no-no, it’s actually safe to apply to the skin topically. So go ahead and get your java jolt with a caffeine face mask!
What caffeine face masks should you try?
Here are just a few of our favorite caffeine sleeping masks to add to your evening skincare regimen.
Lush Cup O’ Coffee Face and Body Mask
The combination of coffee, vanilla absolute, and kaolin helps cleanse impurities, buff away dryness, and reveal a luminous glow. Bonus: You can use it all over your body too!
$14.50-$29, lush.com
The Body Shop Nicaraguan Coffee Intense Awakening Mask
This warming mask includes a mix of community Fair Trade sesame oil, Community Fair Trade shea butter, and coffee seed extract to help gently exfoliate, nourish, and smooth, refine pores, and leave you looking radiant.
$29, thebodyshop.com
Fresh Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask
Fresh’s black tea complex—a potent blend of black tea extract, black tea ferment, blackberry leaf extract, and lychee seed extract—helps improve elasticity while you sleep. Hyaluronic acid and Belle de Nuit extract help moisturize and soothe the skin.
$96, fresh.com
Pacifica Stress Rehab Coconut & Caffeine Facial Mask
This sheet mask is meant for a little pick-me-up in 10 to 20 minutes. Simply apply, let it work its detoxifying magic, then remove and allow the remainder of the gel to sink into skin overnight.
$4, ulta.com
Or, make your own caffeine mask!
“My favorite one is a DIY mixture of coffee, yogurt, and turmeric that you can easily make at home,” Ntonos says. Simply add 1 tablespoon of each in a bowl and mix thoroughly, then apply to skin and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove by gently massaging the mask with lukewarm water. “This will leave your skin vibrant and ready for your favorite moisturizer,” he says.
The final buzz: Including caffeine in your overnight skincare routine with a caffeine sleeping mask definitely has countless benefits for the skin. You might even love it a latte!
FAQs
What does a caffeine face mask do?
A caffeine sleeping mask helps boost your skin while you sleep. This is thanks to its ability to help diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, brighten the skin, and decrease the look of under-eye bags and dark circles. Often, a caffeine face mask is also formulated with an ingredient like hyaluronic acid to help boost moisture and nourishment in the skin.
Can I sleep with a coffee face mask on?
You can definitely sleep with a caffeine face mask! While some are formulated to be rinsed off within 10 to 20 minutes, others are formulated specifically as caffeine sleeping masks and can be slept in overnight.
Is a caffeine face mask good for your skin?
Simply put, yes. Because of caffeine’s myriad skincare benefits, including a caffeine face mask in your evening skincare routine can prove extremely beneficial. However, those with increased sensitivity from caffeine-boosting circulation may see some increased redness in their skin.
Want more skincare advice? Here are our best tips for waking up looking refreshed.
