Caffeine

Category: Active Ingredient

Brief Description: Caffeine is a natural stimulant most commonly found in tea, coffee, and cacao plants. It is often included in cosmetics for its energizing and constricting effects on the skin. The cost of Caffeine is approximately $5-10 per oz.

Benefits: Caffeine, when applied topically, is believed to reduce puffiness and inflammation due to its ability to constrict blood vessels. It also has potent antioxidant properties.

Skin Type Suitability/Concerns: Suitable for all skin types, particularly beneficial for those with puffy or inflamed skin.

Target Audience: Those seeking skincare products that help to reduce puffiness, particularly in eye care products.

Chemical Composition: Caffeine is a naturally occurring xanthine alkaloid.

Physical Aspect: It is a white crystalline solid in its pure form.

Compatibility: Compatible with most ingredients, but solubility can be an issue. It is soluble in hot water, chloroform and slightly soluble in alcohol and ether.

Concentration: Used at concentrations between 0.1% to 1% in cosmetic products.

Side Effects/Adverse Reactions: Can cause redness and irritation in individuals with caffeine sensitivity.

Regulatory Status: Approved for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations.

Sustainability/Ethical Considerations: Sourcing should prioritize plantations practicing sustainable farming methods and fair labor practices.

Variants: Synthetic caffeine also exists but has the same structure and function.