The Benefits Of Caffeine Eye Cream For Puffy Under-Eyes, Explained By Our Esthetician

Caffeine has become synonymous with a burst of quick energy. A lot of us wake up with a mug — or two, or three — of caffeine-rich coffee every morning. But this invigorating stimulant has carved a place for itself beyond your stash of K-cups and the long line at your local Starbucks. As it turns out, caffeine also plays a role in skincare.

Ironically, ingestible sources of caffeine like tea, energy drinks, and coffee can have unfortunate skin consequences. As diuretics, they can pull moisture from your complexion, leaving it dry and tight, and force skin-conscious beauty lovers to seek coffee-free ways to boost their energy levels. But topical caffeine is a different story. Going straight to the source as an ingredient in rejuvenating creams and lotions, caffeine is one of those "it" ingredients that's popping up more and more. Perhaps its biggest claim to skincare fame is in the eye cream realm, where it's touted to combat swelling, dark circles, and that tired, just-woke-up look that can be so tough to shake.

But hype aside, does caffeine really do the trick? To get a better idea of its skincare benefits, especially for pesky under-eye bags, Glam spoke exclusively to Gregory Dylan, a licensed esthetician of 25 years and the owner of Gregory Dylan Skincare. He had a lot to say about this celebrated ingredient, including expert recommendations to help you take advantage of caffeine in your routine.

Wondering if caffeine can really "wake up" your skin the same way you wake up with a cup o' joe? This humble molecule ultimately has a lot to offer. "Caffeine is a wonderful and versatile ingredient for under-eye care. In addition to being naturally rich in antioxidants, it also helps to reduce damaging inflammation that breaks down the skin's immunity," Gregory Dylan exclusively informed us. "It also increases circulation, which aids to reduce the appearance of any puffiness, along with constricting blood vessels that can be helpful in minimizing dark circles."

The skin around your eyes becomes swollen and dull after a poor night's rest because it hasn't received enough oxygenated blood (via Health). Enter topical caffeine, which stimulates blood flow and helps reduce the appearance of dark and baggy under-eyes. According to The Derm Review, caffeine can help soothe swelling and dark circles from unhealthy eating, allergies, and "premature aging" by constricting "the blood vessels under the skin."

So, it's no wonder that caffeine has made such a name for itself in eye creams. Better yet, Dylan informed us that this ingredient suits many different skin types. Still, there are exceptions to every rule, and caution is a must. "Some very sensitive skins may see a bit of temporary redness due to the increased circulation and the most sensitive may get irritated," Dylan explained. When in doubt, halt new products until you've identified the source of the irritation.

For proof that professionals swear by caffeine eye creams, look no further than Gregory Dylan's skincare line. "I love caffeine as an ingredient for under-eye care so much that I put it in my own eye product, Eye Slept In!" Dylan exclusively told Glam. "I feel it truly helps to lend a more well-rested appearance to the eye area and couldn't imagine the formula being as effective without it." Available on Dylan's website for $65, Eye Slept In boasts more than caffeine — its well-rounded ingredients list aims to quell puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines with licorice root, vitamin K, and muscle-relaxing GABA.

Of course, Eye Slept In isn't the only option on the market, and Dylan happily shared some of his other favorite caffeine eye creams. "Origins Ginzing Brightening Eye Cream is consistently well reviewed and, in addition to caffeine, also contains ginseng to energize tired eyes," Dylan said. He pointed out that this product, which sells for $37, also features optical diffusers in both warm and cool shades to help it disappear seamlessly into a wide range of skin tones.

If money is no object, Dylan also mentioned a favorite from classic beauty brand Clarins that retails for $92. "Clarins Total Eye Lift Cream has a cult following thanks to its anti-aging benefits," Dylan added, explaining that the popularity of this product owes a lot to its formulation. Its ingredients, including plant-based caffeine and organic guarana, aim to de-puff and brighten the eyes.