Tea, Coffee and Your Skin: Simple Habits for Chai and Coffee Lovers
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For many of us the day does not start until the first cup of chai or coffee. You do not have to give it up to care for your skin. What matters more is how many cups you drink, how much sugar goes in, when you drink them and whether you still drink enough water. A few small habits keep your favourite cup part of a balanced routine.
It is the extras that add up
A cup of chai with two spoons of sugar, a biscuit on the side and a second round in the evening can quietly add a lot of sugar to your day. Cold coffees and cafe drinks often carry syrups and cream too. See sugar and skin for more on cutting back gently.
Simple habits for tea and coffee lovers
- Cut sugar slowly. Go from two spoons to one and a half for a week, then one. Your taste adjusts.
- Drink water first. Have a glass of water when you wake up, before your first cup. See warm water habits.
- Keep a glass of water next to your cup so you sip both through the day.
- Set a cut-off time. Many people sleep better when their last cup of tea or coffee is in the early afternoon.
- Swap the biscuit for a few nuts, roasted chana or a fruit.
- Watch the cup count. Notice how many cups you really drink. It is often more than you think.
Try lighter options in between
| Instead of | Try |
|---|---|
| A third cup of sweet chai | Plain warm water, jeera water or a herbal tea |
| Cold coffee with syrup | Chaas, nimbu pani with less sugar, or coconut water |
| Evening coffee | A caffeine-free herbal tea |
| Chai with biscuits | Chai with a handful of nuts |
See healthy drinks for glowing skin for more ideas.
Why sleep matters here
Late cups of strong tea or coffee keep some people awake. Short, broken sleep is one of the quickest ways to wake up looking tired and puffy. If you struggle to fall asleep, try moving your last cup earlier for a week and see how you feel. See sleep and skin habits and puffy face in the morning.
Do not count chai as your water
Tea and coffee are drinks, but many people use them in place of water through the day. Keep plain water as your main drink and treat chai and coffee as the extras. See how much water for healthy skin.
A balanced chai day
| Time | Habit |
|---|---|
| On waking | A glass of water |
| Breakfast | Your morning chai or coffee, less sugar |
| Mid-morning | Water and a fruit |
| After lunch | Second cup, if you want one |
| Evening | Herbal tea or warm water instead |
Small changes, steady results
You do not need to quit your chai. Fewer spoons of sugar, an earlier last cup and more water around it are small changes most people can keep up. Pair them with a simple morning and night skincare routine. See morning habits for glowing skin.
See your own habits clearly
Your drinks are one part of a bigger picture. The Theraglam Glow Scan looks at 3 photos and your quiz answers about diet, water and routine, then sends a personal plan with your Glow Score, a diet and water plan, exercises, face massage moves and a daily to-do list.
Start my Glow Scan: 3 photos and a short quiz become your personal skin, diet and face massage plan, sent by email within about 2 hours. Rs 599, one time.
Glow Scan and this article give skincare and lifestyle guidance, not medical advice. For a skin or health condition, please see a doctor or dermatologist.