Caffeine in skincare: Its role in skin cancer, sun protection, and cosmetics

Abstract

Caffeine is ubiquitous in our society—not only in the drinks consumed but also increasingly in dermatologic topicals. Given that coffee and caffeine are increasingly used for the production of many dermatologic anti-cancer topicals, sunscreens, and cosmetics, it is of imperative importance to review the basic science and clinical evidence for such claims. In this concise review, we outline the current evidence.

Keywords

• anti-ageing
• alopecia
• caffeine
• coffee
• cosmetic
• cosmetics
• cosmeceuticals
• cellulite
• melanoma
• non-melanoma skin cancer
• sunscreen
• skin cancer
• wound healing