The benefits of green tea are no secret. Green tea is good for everything – research has shown it to promote the health of your skin, hair and body, particularly the heart and brain. This is part of what makes it so popular. The popularity of green tea is owed to its low caffeine levels and high amounts of antioxidants.
While drinking green tea has impressive effects, it is equally powerful when used on the skin. It is one of the most natural ways to improve the appearance of skin. Green tea is the active ingredient found in many cosmetics, beauty and skincare products on the market. You can use green tea to make your own skincare products.
Green tea for acne and pimples
Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. It often causes whiteheads, blackheads or pimples that usually appear on the face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders.
Factors that may worsen acne or trigger or aggravate it are hormones, certain medications, diet and stress. Green tea can do wonders for easing the symptoms of acne and in some cases removing the causes.
Green tea is rich in catechins, which are antimicrobial and help destroy acne-causing bacteria. It’s anti-inflammatory properties help reduce redness and inflammation. Green tea is an efficient toner that helps unclog and refine pores.
Green tea skincare: Adding green tea to your cleanser
- Empty a green tea bag into a small bowl (don’t brew the tea)
- Alternatively, place 15-30ml of loose green tea into a bowl
- Add about 15ml of a cream-based facial cleanser to the bowl (best to use a fragrance-free cleanser)
- Mix well
- Scoop the green tea onto your fingers, then apply it to your skin. Gently scrub your face by making circular motions with your fingers
- Cover your face evenly. Then allow the cleanser to sit on your skin for 5 minutes. This will help soften dead skin and make it easier to scrub away when you rinse
- Splash warm water over your face and use your fingertips in circular motions and gently scrub the cleanser off. Thoroughly rinse your skin and removing all your mast in this manner
Anti-ageing
Free radical damage is the leading cause of premature ageing. Premature ageing is increased by an unhealthy diet, smoking and environmental factors such as pollution and dust. Green tea helps you remove such unwanted oxidants from your skin.
The antioxidants in green tea are excellent at fighting premature ageing and reducing the visible signs of ageing like loosening of the facial skin, sun damage, wrinkles and spots. As a result, the skin looks younger and healthier than before.
Scientific studies show that the tea antioxidant EGCG is effective in rejuvenating dying skin cells. EGCG effectively works to reactivate the reproduction process of skin cells, giving dull skin a healthier glow.
Green tea is also packed with vitamin B and E – two compounds that are essential for skin health. Vit B helps to maintain collagen production, which increases skin elasticity. Collagen is one of the leading compounds in anti-ageing products as it firms skin and prevents wrinkles. Vit E helps promote cell regeneration and works to hydrate and nourish the skin.
Green tea skincare: Green tea anti-ageing cream
- Combine 120 ml cold green tea with 60 ml pure pomegranate juice, 15ml aloe vera gel and 2.5ml cornstarch
- Heat the ingredients in the microwave for 1 minute
- Let cool and transfer to a clean cosmetics container
- Apply a small amount of the gel to your skin every night before bed
Treating oily skin
People with oily skin tend to produce too much sebum, the skins naturally generated oil. Tannins regulate sebum production.
Tannins are biomolecules that bind with amino acids in the body. Tannins are naturally astringent compounds, this means they work directly as a skin toner to even out its appearance. Tannins shrink pores ensuring that they clog less often. Green tea contains tannins.
Green tea skincare: Apple cider vinegar and green tea toner
- Brew 3/4 cup of green tea and let it cool. (Use one tea bag)
- Combine the cooled green tea and 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and pour it into a glass jar for storage. Keep refrigerated
- Was your face with a facial cleanser and pat dry with a towel
- Saturate a cotton pad with the mixture and dab it onto your face. Let it dry
- Apply moisturizer
- Repeat this twice a day
Reducing dark circles and puffy and swollen eyes
Many people suffer from the appearance of dark circles underneath their eyes. along with that, some people also experience problems related to eye fatigue, swelling and puffiness. These skin-related troubles and can be solved to a certain extent by using eye relaxation routine using green tea.
The caffeine in black and green tea has a positive effect on puffy, swollen eyes and can help to keep skin taut. Caffeine constricts the blood vessels within this sensitive tissue. This aids in reducing puffiness and inflammation.
Black and green teas also contain antioxidants called flavonoids and tannins that have an anti-inflammatory effect. The tannins can help to tighten the skin and draw out fluid to further alleviate any puffiness. Green tea may be slightly more effective due to its higher flavonoid content. Use black or green tea bags as a cold press to treat bags under the eyes.
Green tea skincare: Green tea eye press
- Steep two bags of green tea as you would normally as if you were going to drink the tea
- Squeeze out the excess liquid from the bags. Allow them to cool until they are warm or chill them in the refrigerator for 10-20 minutes
- Apply the bags to closed eyes for 15-30 minutes
- You may use your fingertips to apply gentle pressure to your eys or gently massage the area around your eyes
Exfoliating gently
Exfoliation helps to remove dead skin cells that can cause the skin to look dull and lifeless. The exfoliation process also helps o trigger the production of new skin cells for a glowing appearance.
Green tea leaves can be used to gently exfoliate the skin. Dried green tea leaves offer a slightly abrasive texture that softly removes dead skin. The antioxidants in the tea also help to remove excess oil and dirt that can cause breakouts.
Green tea skincare: Facial scrub
- Combine the following ingredients into a medium-sized bowl: 1 tablespoon dried green tea leaves, 1 cup white sugar, 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons honey and (optional) 10 drops essential oil – lavender or tea tree
- Apply a tablespoon of the exfoliator at a time into your hands. Gently massage the skin (face or body) with the exfoliator for 30 seconds
- Rinse the exfoliator from the skin with warm water and a washcloth
- Only use once every 1-2 weeks, if using caster sugar, it will be less abrasive and can be used more regularly
- The recipe can be halved for a smaller batch
Reduces dandruff and stimulates hair growth
Mayo clinic says that dandruff is a common condition that causes the skin on the scalp to flake and itch. It isn’t contagious or serious but can be embarrassing and difficult to treat. Dandruff may have several causes, including irritated, oily skin, not shampooing enough, a yeastlike fungus (Malassezia) that feeds on oils on the scalps of most adults, dry skin and such.
The antimicrobial and antifungal nature of green tea help to treat dandruff caused by mites and other bacteria. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, green tea also helps to soothe and calm irritated skin.
A study published by Phytomedicine found that the EGCG in green tea works to accelerate hair growth. Helping you to get fuller, thicker hair. The anti-oxidant helps to stimulate skin cells in follicles, triggering the growth of hair. Tea polyphenols also help to speed up cell turn over, helping to promote new growth and regrowth of damaged hair follicles.
Green tea skincare: Green tea shampoo
- Brew a half cup of green tea using 4 tea bags or 4 tablespoons of loose leaf green tea., allowing the mixture to steep for 20 minutes
- Let the tea cool to room temperature
- Add one cup of castile soap and two tablespoons of olive oil.
- You can add a few drops of essential oils such as tea tree or lavender if desired
- Mix well and transfer to a shampoo bottle
- Use like normal shampoo
- Store in the refrigerator to preserve the tea compounds for up to one month
Sun skincare
In one study published by the British Journal of Nutrition, drinking green tea was shown to reduce redness and inflammation associated with sun exposure. Researchers found that green tea increased benzoic acid levels—a key compound used to treat skin irritation caused by burns or conditions such as eczema. Drinking green tea may help to minimize the appearance of age spots caused by sun damage and prevent certain forms of skin cancer.
Green tea skincare: Drink green tea daily
Drink two cups of green tea every day to protect the skin from sun damage. See our guide on how to brew green tea without it turning bitter.
Regularly drinking green Tea can help you lose weight and reduce your risk of several diseases, including diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Drinking three to five cups of green tea per day seems to be optimal to reap the most health benefits.
Thank you for sharing, there are many benefits to drinking green tea. Remember to keep the cups around the 100ml mark
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