The Effects Coffee Can Have on Your Skin, According to Derms

When you hear people talk about giving up their vices for better skin, it's usually sugar, dairy, alcohol, or even gluten, but the latest thing to make it to the no-no list? It's coffee. But is drinking coffee really that bad for your skin? As is the case with most things in life, the lines are a bit blurred in terms of whether coffee can be considered "good" or "bad." And the reasons on the pro and con list may surprise you.

So, before you give up your Starbucks habit and make the switch over to tea for good, we went straight to the source. Dermatologists Gary Goldenberg and Whitney Bowe give us their expert opinions on whether coffee can have an impact on your skin– for better or worse.

Coffee Can Raise Your Stress Levels

One of the biggest rumors surrounding coffee is that it causes acne, and well, that's not entirely false, but the devil is in the details. As Dr. Goldenberg explains it, the overconsumption of caffeine has been associated with stress, which is associated with acne. So how much coffee is too much? The FDA suggests a maximum of 400 milligrams a day (roughly four or five cups). But when it comes to your skin, Dr. Bowe suggests limiting yourself to one or two cups a day. Too much of anything can be a bad thing, so when you drink coffee, do so in moderation.

How You Take Your Coffee Could Cause Breakouts

Dr. Goldenberg says inorganic milk, white sugar, and syrup can negatively affect your hormones and lead to acne. So, if you regularly take your coffee with sweetener and whatever cream you have on hand, then, yes, your coffee drink could be the source of your breakouts. Pass on the sugar and dairy milk (and yep, that means to scale back on your fancy, sugary, barista-made concoction), and opt for an unsweetened nondairy creamer instead.

Bad Coffee Can Disrupt Your Gut Flora

It's also important to note that not all coffee beans are created equal. "Poor quality coffee, especially if drank with dairy products sourced from cows injected with antibiotics, can disrupt gut flora," Dr. Goldenberg says. However, "Organic coffee has not been associated with gut flora disruption." But why exactly is gut flora important? As Dr. Bowe explains it, if your gut is inflamed, that will show up as inflammation in your skin. "Eating the wrong types of foods, unfortunately, slows down digestion and creates a shift in the type of bacterial environment in your gut," Dr. Bowe explains. "It affects your gut microbiome, and that, in turn, leads to leaky gut, and leaky gut translates to leaky skin." In short, coffee quality is key. If you're going to drink coffee every day, splurge on the organic beans.

Coffee Beans Are Packed With Antioxidants

But wait—before you decide to quit your morning cup of coffee, you should know that when done right, coffee is actually a good habit to have. "Caffeine has been shown to be beneficial for your skin," Dr. Goldenberg says. "It has antioxidant properties and is anti-inflammatory." You might be familiar with free radicals, but for the uninitiated, they're the damaging molecules that cause premature aging, and according to some studies, they can even lead to acne. In other words, they're the skin's enemy. Antioxidants on the other hand work to fight free-radical damage, and can be applied topically and also ingested. Dr. Bowe recommends that her breakout-prone patients up their intake of antioxidants. If you're a big-time coffee drinker, good news: Caffeine-containing products are great sources of antioxidants. Actually, studies show coffee and tea are some of the biggest sources of antioxidants for many people. Who knew?

Coffee Can Be Beneficial When Applied Topically

If you'd rather quit drinking coffee altogether than drink it black, we don't blame you. It can be hard to adjust to the bitter taste of coffee when you're used to all the sweeteners and creamers. But that doesn't mean you have to forgo all the skin-loving benefits of the morning beverage. Dr. Goldenberg says topical products that contain caffeine also have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Although the effects are short-term, Dr. Goldenberg says the caffeine in topical products can decrease the appearance of cellulite by dehydrating the tissue. Dr. Bowe adds that coffee grounds also work to reduce swelling and puffiness, which is why you'll commonly find this ingredient in eye creams and treatments.

The Takeaway

When consumed correctly, coffee can be good for your skin. But, that can take some changes to the coffee you're used to drinking. So, if you're one of those who can't bear the taste of plain coffee, you may want to try some coffee-infused products instead, and reap the topical antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Should you believe that your coffee habit is the culprit of your breakouts, it can be beneficial to try giving it up for a bit and see what happens. But if you see no change in your skin or your acne worsens, it would be wise to consult with your dermatologist as there may be something else causing your skin woes.