Yesou know who you are: coffee aficionados sporting “Mondays are for happy juice” slogans, with latte stickers printed on your T-shirts. Yes, I’m talking to you.

Coffee is our favorite beverage, in good times and bad, and it has certainly carved out a notable niche for itself in a country teeming with chai lovers. But how good is that dose of caffeine actually for you and, more importantly, your skin?

Read also: Tea bags alone can’t prevent post-party puffy eyes. You need a night routine

Coffee and dehydration

There you have it, you’ve had your first cup of the day. You’re feeling excited (or anxious, whatever helps you work faster) and you think it’s time to grab the next cup, because happier java juice can only mean more productivity, no. isn’t it?

Fake.

Coffee takes as much as it gives. Caffeine, being a notorious diuretic, causes your kidneys to produce more urine, which means more frequent visits to the bathroom.

Thus, your hydration levels decrease and dehydrated skin, as we all know, is no one’s friend. Dry skin, dry patches, and even wrinkles start to look unfriendly if your hydration isn’t on point.

Now, before you come at me with pitchforks, I’m not suggesting you cut out caffeine completely. Personally, I always drink a glass of water before every cup of Joe tea, whether in summer or winter. Take the case of someone who has been in the skincare industry for over 13 years: for every cup of coffee you drink, drink a glass of water. Sure, it might mean a few extra bathroom breaks, but it’s much better than watching your skin go from dewy to dry and patchy.

Acidity is not your friend

The acidic nature of caffeine can make your hormones go crazy. This could, in turn, cause the oil glands in your skin to go into overdrive. So, the next time you have your third espresso, channel your inner Amitabh Bachchan Deewar and write a reminder on your arm: “One more shot, and the ‘oil’ won’t end well.”

Because the more caffeine you consume, the higher the risk of your skin developing an oily sheen. And you know the next thing: acne breakouts and a complexion that constantly fluctuates between oily and dry.

throw this away latte

Listen, bosses (yes, I know, grind your teeth)—do yourself a favor and throw that caramel-whipped cream-vanilla-affogato-mochaccino in the trash where it belongs. This could be the main culprit behind your acne problems.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of coffee myself, in all its forms. Whether it’s Sumatra, Arabica or Robusta, I could tell you about it until tomorrow’s roast. But as a dermatologist, I must warn you that cow’s milk is a key contributor to the hormonal changes that can cause those hellish acne breakouts.

So, a latte or a part with flawless skin?

You decide.

Do you know which other culprit is sneaky? Sugar. This triggers a very annoying reaction called glycation, which weakens the collagen in your skin – Joey Tribbiani’s skin version. Collagen protects your skin. Collagen is your friend.

So, my advice? Ditch all the abominations of milk, sugar, coffee and whipped cream for fine line and wrinkle free skin!

An enemy of restful sleep

Yes, coffee is your friend when you want to pull an all-nighter. Reports, binge-watching, study sessions: coffee is your reliable partner in all this.

But what happens when you consume too much after hours?

A gigantic mess in your sleep habits, that’s what. Seriously, there are few things more damaging to your skin than lack of sleep. Lack of sleep leads to premature aging, that unwanted puff pastry appearance I was talking about in my last pieceand dark circles.

Think of it this way: your skin is just another organ that needs some downtime to recover from the day’s activities and stressors. This is where sleep comes into play. And if you don’t sleep enough or properly, the biggest victim will be your beautiful skin.

So if you don’t want to look like Sleepy from Snow White, opt for something caffeine-free as your favorite afternoon drink. Maybe a herbal tea?

Your skin will thank you, I can guarantee it.

Coffee, Stress and Rashes

Caffeine is a great start to the day. It’s also a great way to reduce your stress levels. This triggers your stress responses, which then increase cortisol, the hormone we love, hate, and sometimes love to hate.

High levels of cortisol can increase your skin’s oil production, leaving your face looking like the “before” image from a face cream commercial.

Moral of the story: Coffee may not directly cause acne, but it can definitely make your skin oilier, which makes acne more likely. If you’re generally prone to stressors and your skin is susceptible to breakouts, do your skin (and yourself) a favor and limit your coffee intake.

Read also: Zinc and magnesium are your skin’s best friends. They reduce pimples, inflammation

Don’t Stop – Moderate

As with everything else in life, moderation is key when it comes to coffee. For every cup of coffee you inhale, drink a glass of water and opt for dairy- and sugar-free caffeine options (remember, no split ends please). You could then leave your skin and mental faculties much healthier in the long term.

So let me leave you with this: pay attention to your skin. Notice what triggers acne breakouts, oily sheen, and dry patches at Atacama. And maybe experiment more with non-caffeinated drinks.

Dr Deepali Bhardwaj is an internationally trained dermatologist, allergy specialist, laser surgeon and esthetician. She tweets @dermatdoc. Opinions are personal.

(Edited by Asavari Singh)