Coffee Maker Illycaffé Launches Skincare Line

How about a little creamer with your skin cream? Renowned coffee producer Illycaffé has entered the skincare space. New Amarey is based on regenerated Arabica coffee extract, coffee flowers and coffee powder. The line includes cleanser, serum and face cream. 

According to the company, 2.25 billion cups of coffee are downed every day. Yet, just 10% of the coffee cherries are used to make the world's most popular pick-me-up. Illy hopes to change all that with Amarey. The name is derived from African-Yoruban and means “possesing great strength.”

Amarey maintains that coffee's antioxidant properties help prevent cellular skin damage, reduce inflammation and puffiness, and help counteract signs of photoaging, including wrinkles and discoloration. Coffee and cosmetics have met before. And formulators know that caffeine constricts blood vessels, which may make skin appear brighter and tighter, according to some experts.

The Amarey formulas include more than coffee, of course. For example, the Antioxidant Lift Serum contains niacinamide and the Hydrating Face Cream contains enriched vitamin E. Prices range from 24 euros ($26 at current exchange rates) for the cleanser to 52 euros for the serum.