What does a sip of coffee mean to you? Does it wake you up? Does a whiff of caffeine bring a smile to your face? What we’re driving at is that your skin has the exact same reaction to coffee. What many may not be aware of is that Caffeine is also a powerhouse of skin-friendly properties. As an antioxidant, it helps protect your skin from radical damage, boosts collagen production, gets rid of dead skin, and treats red spots or pigmentation caused by sun damage. Plus, it wakes your skin up and instantly energizes it (just like your morning cup of coffee).
I use this wonder ingredient specifically for the driest area on my face—my lips. Being constantly exposed to the Mumbai heat, my lips are parched, top that up with the pollution, and my bad habit of plucking the dead skin off my lips. I learned to understand that coffee-based products hydrate, exfoliate, and polish lips to help achieve a more even-toned, and plumped pout.
Enter: the lip-loving, caffeinated lip care set by mCaffeine. Since I got to review the kit right before it launched (the benefits of being a beauty writer, you see?), I thought I’d share my take on the french launch, its formulations, textures, and benefits with you. Ahead, my honest thoughts.
There are two kinds of people I’ve come across in life, the first kind have sworn allegiance to a specific lip balm since school or college and haven’t tried any other. The second kind are the ‘lip balm hoarders’. But neither would be used to a lip balm that works through the day without any reapplication. Both the variants by mCaffeine’s (coffee and choco) deliver, nourished and hydrated lips all day long. I could feel the coffee oil-based balm sinking in deep, the shea butter in it smoothening my lips, and the goodness of vitamin E working its hydration-boosting magic the moment I applied it. And all of this without the hassle of re-applying my balm every two to three hours.
And for the longest time, I had this habit of constantly plucking the dry skin on my lips to eliminate evidence. Well, I eventually grew to realise that was obviously wrong. After diving into some R&D, I found out that what I truly needed was a good lip scrub. I tried a sugar scrub and it was worked to a certain extent but it didn’t really help me in the long run. That’s when I got my hands on mCaffeine’s coffee and choco scrubs. They worked perfect and I’ll tell you why. Thanks to their nourishing, and exfoliating formulation, my lips were instantly healthier. I could actually smell the sugarcane present in the scrub along with coffee (the same goes for the cocoa variant). The exfoliating scrubs also contain natural oils (coconut and almond) so that it’s kinder on your lips. While mCaffeine suggests two to three scrubs a week, I personally feel that once a week is good to start with.
If you ask me, coffee literally wakes your lips up (every now and then) Let’s be real, all of us have at least one overnight sleeping mask or gel that works hard through the night to help you wake up to your best and healthiest skin. And if caffeine helps you wake your mind up, trust these overnight mCaffeine lip products to do the same for your lips. I’m literally obsessed with the Coffee Lip Sleeping Mask. A generous swipe on my lips before bed is all I needed for it to work its magic on my lips while I’m busy counting sheep— a harmony of coffee oil, hyaluronic acid, and shea butter. It is a deeply moisturising formula that you will love too if you have super dry lips, trust me. The Choco Lip Sleeping Butter repaired my chapped areas and I actually woke up to healthy, hydrated lips.
The thing is, I have always been the kind of person who would close my eyes and catch a good whiff every time I enter Starbucks with my tribe (they’re all coffee lovers). Coming to the butter, the aroma in itself is enough to get your hands on them. However, it's not just about how the fragrance but also how wonderfully long-lasting they are. With a hint of chocolate and sugar, this sweet irresistible scent can become your daily kick-starter (and maybe replace the three to four cups of coffee you drink daily?). If you ask me, it’s a tall, nourishing shot of caffeine for the lips.
I like to read labels, and I hate products that claim to be good for me but actually aren’t—nor for me or the planet. The best part about choosing mCaffeine lip care is that they are 100% cruelty-free, and vegan. I did my own research and was extremely impressed by the brand’s ‘zero plastic footprint’ angle where they support recycling more plastic than they use.
To conclude, this set of lip care products has honestly found its way into my cosmetic cabinet (and heart, of course). They’re healthy for me, the planet and they promise what they know they can deliver. All of their products have been tested not only by dermatologists but by customers too. If you end up trying them too, be sure to share your review in the comments section below. I would love to know your experience too!
