What is COFFEA ARABICA SEED EXTRACT and what does it do?
Role: PLANT EXTRACTS
Family: VEGETABLE EXTRACTS Arabian coffee
Comedogenic index: 0
I.N.C.I. stands for green coffee oily macerate. This ingredient, rich in caffeine, is appreciated for its toning and draining properties. Applied to the skin, caffeine has a slimming effect, thanks to its lipolytic action on fat cells. In this section, we'll take a closer look at the characteristics of green coffee oily macerate.
The coffee tree, botanically Coffea arabica, is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Rubiaceae family. It produces red, cherry-like fruits containing two seeds: Arabica coffee beans. Originally from Ethiopia, the coffee tree is mainly cultivated in tropical regions such as East Africa, Central America (Costa Rica, Honduras) and South America (Brazil). In the wild, the coffee tree can grow to a height of 10 meters. The seeds are mainly grown to produce the famous beverage, coffee. Every year, some 150 million 60kg bags of coffee are produced worldwide. Brazil is currently the world's largest producer.
The I.N.C.I. designation for green coffee oil macerate is "Coffea Arabica Seed Extract". It is obtained by macerating dried Arabica seeds in vegetable oil for a long period, then stirring the mixture. The final product is a yellow-green liquid, rich in carbohydrates, lipids (sterols, hydrocarbons, tocopherols, diterpenic alcohols) and phenolic acids (quinic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid).
Green coffee oily macerate has draining, toning and slimming properties. It stimulates the hydrolysis and release of triglycerides stored in adipocytes (fat cells). Its mechanism of action is based on inhibition of phosphodiesterase activity, an enzyme that destroys cAMP, a chemical mediator involved in triglyceride breakdown. It is therefore recommended for reducing the appearance of cellulite and firming sagging skin.
What's more, the caffeine present in oily macerate is an excellent vascular tonic, helping to drain the eye contour area by stimulating microcirculation. By reducing the diameter of small blood vessels, the purplish pigmentation of dark circles is permanently reduced. Caffeine is also highly effective against puffiness, reducing water retention under the eyes and thus visible swelling.
Finally, caffeine has strong antioxidant properties. It helps protect cells against free radicals produced by UV radiation, and slows down sun-induced skin ageing.
Note: In a cosmetic formula, green coffee oily macerate can also be added as a masking agent, i.e. to cover the smell of another ingredient.
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