Acne is a common, chronic condition that may develop on the face, back, chest and shoulders. A blackhead is a form of acne that begins deep inside a pore, forming a dark-centered pimple. There is a link between the formation of blackheads and coffee consumption. Coffee beans contain a natural alkaloid that anyone who is prone to acne may want to steer clear of.
Stress
Contrary to popular belief, blackheads do not form because you have poor hygiene or because you have eaten too many greasy foods. Blackheads form when oils, dead skin cells and certain bacteria seep into a pore. For some people, stress is also a trigger -- which is where coffee comes in. Caffeine is the alkaloid that occurs naturally in coffee. The average cup of coffee has a caffeine content of 100 mg. According to UC Davis Student Health Services, drinking excessive amounts of caffeine every day may stress your body, contributing to your blackhead woes.
Why it Happens
Caffeine is a stimulant that affects your automatic nervous system -- specifically the sympathetic portion. Oregon State University’s Linus Pauling Institute explains that the human brain produces a chemical called adenosine. The adenosine clings to adenosine receptors, slowing the nervous system and inducing sleep. When you drink a cup of coffee, caffeine molecules trick adenosine receptors into thinking they are adenosine molecules. This causes stimulation instead of sleep. This form of stimulation often produces tension and nervousness, placing unnecessary stress on your body.
Decaffeinated Coffee
If you find that your daily stress is increasing just as quickly as the number of blackheads on your skin, consider a lifestyle change. According to Texas Woman’s University Counseling Center, switching to decaffeinated coffee can help ease your stress. Manufacturers remove caffeine from coffee using one of four methods: water, carbon dioxide, methylene chloride or ethyl acetate. None of these processes removes caffeine completely. However, processing does reduce the caffeine content considerably -- leaving only about 2.5 percent of caffeine behind in the coffee mix.
Warnings
Once you reduce your caffeinated coffee intake, any blackheads that you have may not immediately disappear along with your stress. If the blackheads do not go away in a flash, do not despair. Blackheads usually run their course and eventually dry up. Avoid pinching, picking or squeezing blackheads during the interim, suggests Saint Mary’s College of California. Choosing non-comedogenic cosmetics and moisturizers -- the kind that do not block pores -- as well as engaging in regular exercise may also help.
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