Q: I’ve been seeing caffeine in skincare and haircare lately. Does caffeine help your skin? And does caffeine help with hair loss?

A: Caffeine is not just for your morning cup of coffee; it has other unique properties that warrant this new buzz. This effective ingredient has gained momentum in clean beauty as it holistically gives your appearance a pick-me-up. Caffeine in natural skin care and hair health products is usually derived from coffee beans, black tea, green tea, cacao, and guarana extracts. When this natural stimulant is applied topically, its intrinsically small molecules can penetrate deeply, delivering numerous benefits.

Does coffee help with skin? Absolutely! Similar to the jolt of caffeinated beverages, caffeine in skincare provides an energizing, revitalizing effect. Here’s how caffeine in skincare works:

• It can help improve blood flow and circulation to the skin, while at the same time reduce redness and puffiness, leaving the skin calmer and tauter-looking.
• A powerful antioxidant, caffeine protects the skin from oxidative stress, free radicals, and sun damage caused by environmental stressors like UV rays and pollution. Neutralizing free radicals can help with early signs of aging, keeping the skin vital and healthy.
• Caffeine can help promote cell turnover and collagen production, creating a more radiant, youthful-looking complexion.
• Caffeine from cacao extract has antioxidant, re-mineralizing, and protecting properties that rejuvenate the face and body.
• It is essential to choose effective skin care products with other results driven actives and combine your routine with lifestyle habits that promote skin health.
• Early research demonstrates cell death of squamous cell carcinoma, suggesting it may have anticarcinogenic properties. However, this is no substitute for getting suspicious growths or skin irregularities checked by a dermatologist!

Does caffeine help reduce cellulite? Affirmative! Caffeine from green coffee is known for its ability to help reduce the dimpled appearance of cellulite. Here’s how:

• Promotes the breakdown of fat (lipolysis).
• Prevents the accumulation of fat in cells.
• Improves blood flow and removes excess water, helping combat excess fluid retention.

Does caffeine help with hair growth? Yes! Here’s how:

• Specially encapsulated caffeine extract from green coffee can have wonderful hair growth-stimulating effects and helps counteract the action of DHT in hair follicles, which leads to thinning hair.
• Supports improved circulation and blood flow, helping provide oxygen and other vital nutrients to the hair follicles.

Incorporating Caffeine into Your Beauty Routine
To reap the benefits of caffeine, try adding these caffeine-infused skincare, body care, and hair care products into your routine:

• For dark circles, under-eye “bags,” and morning puffiness, the best natural eye cream to support the delicate skin around the eyes will feature caffeine from green tea for its protective, skin-repairing antioxidants and ability to minimize eye concerns.
• If you are prone to flushing, blushing, and other rosacea-like symptoms, opt for products that control redness and irritation through the soothing effects of green tea.
• Losing hair? Choose thinning hair solutions and hair products for hair loss with specially encapsulated caffeine that is proven to help reduce hair fall.
• For rough, uneven skin, use a natural scrub for body and face care with cacao extract - a rejuvenating skin superfood.
• Follow with a delectable guilt-free chocolate-infused skin care cream or a smoothing body moisturizer with green coffee to target cellulite dimples.
• For dry, lackluster skin, choose a moisturizing cream with guarana, which has three times the caffeine content and stimulant effects of coffee berries.
• For more caffeine goodness, choose green tea-infused sunscreen and other sun care formulas for their calming influence.
• For water retention or a renewed health routine, schedule a body treatment utilizing green coffee for its detoxifying and diuretic effects.

In conclusion, caffeine is not just a pick-me-up for your morning routine! From reducing puffiness and dark circles to protecting against free radical damage and supporting hair regrowth, caffeine has much to offer the skincare, body care, and hair care worlds! Note: People with caffeine sensitivity may want to do a patch test to ensure they aren’t sensitive to topical use.


Q: What are the benefits of salt for the body? Are natural sea salt and Himalayan pink salt really healthy?

A: There are mixed opinions on salt’s health benefits, depending on the type and method of use. Sea salt and Himalayan pink salt are the premier types touted for their health benefits. However, table salt, fleur de sel, and rock salt can also benefit wellness.

• Table salt fortified with iodine can help with thyroid disease.
• Fleur de sel is rich in minerals that can help regulate blood pressure and improve bone health.
• Rock salt, often used in Ayurvedic medicine, has trace minerals that help treat sore throats and low sodium levels.

Himalayan Vs. Sea Salt
Himalayan salt and sea salt have similar properties that help support overall health, with a few differences. Both types contain potassium and magnesium, which are essential for maintaining proper fluid balance in the body. These minerals help regulate water content within cells, aid in water absorption at the cellular level, and support nerve and muscle function. Himalayan salt, sourced from ancient sea beds in the Himalayan mountains, contains up to 84 trace minerals and has a pink hue from iron oxide. Due to its rich mineral content, it has potential health benefits, including regulating the body's water content, promoting stable pH levels, and supporting respiratory health. Sea salt derived from evaporated seawater contains calcium, magnesium, potassium, and often iron and zinc—minerals that may help with hydration, electrolyte balance, and skin health. It is also praised for its taste and versatility in cooking. How does sea salt differ from table salt? Table salt is highly processed, removing vital minerals and ruling out its potential wellness benefits.

Substitute regular table salt for these mineral-rich salts in cooking, baking, or as a finishing touch to dishes to help ensure your body maintains optimal water and electrolyte levels. However, balancing your intake with adequate water consumption is crucial to stay hydrated and allow your body to utilize the minerals from these salts effectively. Although sodium from salt is an essential nutrient, and some sources indicate sea salt can help regulate blood pressure, more research is needed to back up these potential benefits of sea salt in water and food. Doctors still advise limiting salt intake, as no matter the form, too much can still have negative health consequences. People prone to dehydration, high blood pressure, heart disease, and water retention should exercise caution and moderation when adding salts to their diet due to their sodium content. It's always a good idea to consult a healthcare provider or nutritionist for personalized advice on how to enjoy Himalayan salt and sea salt and meet your hydration needs.

Skin Care + Wellness Applications
Himalayan salt and sea salt can also be used in skincare, body care, and for general wellness. To get the benefits of salt without any untoward side effects, check out these additional avenues beyond your diet:

• With your doctor’s approval, mix sea salt with lukewarm water, which helps produce stomach acid and nutrient absorption, aiding digestion and elimination.
• Enjoy the health benefits of sea salt on skin by using natural bath products containing this nutrient-rich salt. This salt releases negative ions and provides minerals to help rebalance the skin and re-energize the body. 
• Exfoliate, smooth, and soften your skin texture with sea salt in a natural body scrub. A chocolate scrub for face and body care is the perfect way to get your chocolate “fix.” Or, if tropical islands call your name, enjoy a natural exfoliating body scrub with papaya and pineapple extracts instead.
• Soak in a bath with natural bath salts featuring sea salt, jasmine, and lavender to reap the relaxing benefits of taking a sea salt bath.

• Visit a salt cave, sauna, or spa with a salt room made of Himalayan pink salt bricks for a salt therapy session, known as halotherapy.
• Inhaling this clean, detoxified salt air is found to help with allergies, respiratory and skin issues. Salt possesses natural antiseptic benefits.
• Some sources also indicate it can improve sleep quality, moods, and melatonin levels in the body.
• There isn’t a salt cave near you? Purchase a sea salt lamp for the next best thing!