8 Reasons You Should Start Putting Green Tea On Your Face + Recipes!

Green tea is one of the healthiest things you can imbibe. This ancient Asian brew can increase your memory and concentration, boost energy levels, improve immunity, and so much more.

When it comes to skin health, drinking green tea has been found to delay aging, protect the skin from UV rays, improve skin tone, and reduce acne.

Amazingly, applying green tea topically to the skin can also provide a myriad of health benefits!

Keep reading to find out why you should add green tea to your daily skin care routine.

1. Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Green tea is loaded with antioxidants and other properties which can fight inflammation and bacteria.

In a report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Dermatology, it was suggested that, based on several studies, ‘green teas possess anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic potential, which can be exploited against a variety of skin disorders’.

The researchers also go on to say that ‘supplementation of skin care products with green tea may have a profound impact on various skin disorders in the years to come.’

2. Fight the Signs of Aging

Antioxidants are our most powerful weapon in the fight against aging, with a certain class of antioxidants – known as catechins – being especially potent. In particular, the catechin EGCG is especially beneficial, and makes up a large percentage of the catechins in green tea.

EGCG has been found in research to reactivate dying skin cells! While these benefits are limited to the outer layer of skin (as the tea’s properties aren’t absorbed beyond that), the research suggests that these benefits are significant.

Other antioxidants in the tea help prevent free radical damage, and encourage healing of cells – all of which fight signs of premature aging like age spots, wrinkles, and sun damage.

3. Treat Oily Skin

Tannins in green tea act as an astringent which shrink pores. The tea also helps to reduce the production of sebum (the skin’s natural oil) by the glands in each pore. This makes it a much better solution than harsh conventional treatments for those with oily skin, which just work by removing excess oil, rather than by reducing production.

In fact, one study showed a 70% reduction in sebum production after participants used a product containing 3% green tea extract for eight weeks.

4. Eliminate Acne and Blackheads

Green tea used topically has also been shown in at least three studies to treat mild to moderate acne, with each study showing over a 50% improvement in symptoms during the research period.

In one of the studies, when a 2% green tea lotion was applied twice daily for 6 weeks, participants enjoyed a 58% reduction in their total lesions, and a 39% decrease in the severity of their pimples.

Of course, the tea’s antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and astringent properties all help to fight both acne and blackheads when applied topically, making it a safe and cost-effective alternative to other skin treatments.

Learn more about natural ways to cleanse away blackheads in this great article: 8 Quick Natural Remedies For Blackheads!

5. A Gentle Exfoliator

Remove dead skin cells (and rejuvenate the dying ones!) by utilizing the slightly abrasive texture of dry green tea leaves. This fantastic exfoliator will also help to remove excess oil and pollutants, exposing the cleansed and renewed skin underneath.

A homemade green tea exfoliator is also a great alternative to store bought products, many of which contain tiny plastic pellets called microbeads, which are wreaking havoc on the environment. An estimated 19 tons of microbeads are discharged annually into New York’s waterways alone!

6. Added Sun Protection

Drinking green tea has been shown in several scientific studies to protect the skin and neutralize the damage done by exposure to UV rays.

According to one small study, the equivalent of two cups of green tea a day can reduce both the inflammation and skin redness associated with sun exposure. The researchers suggest that green tea exerts ‘protection against sunburn inflammation and potentially longer-term UVR-mediated damage’.

Other research has shown that a topically applied catechin-rich emulsion exerted a protective effect on UV-exposed skin.

Green tea isn’t the only food which will naturally increase your skin’s UV resistance. Learn more with these 15 Ways To Naturally Increase Your Skin’s UV Resistance!

7. Enjoy its Energizing Scent

Wake yourself up in the morning by splashing some tea infused toner on your face, or applying a green tea-rich body wash in the shower.

Many people enjoy the uplifting and energizing effects of green tea’s aroma. Surprisingly, others find it is the perfect addition to their night time bath, as the scent relaxes and soothes!

8. Reduce Eye Puffiness

Swollen and puffy eyes, or dark circles underneath, indicate fatigue and a lack of sleep. When you don’t have time to take a power nap, place a couple of cool tea bags or cotton balls dipped in cold brewed tea over your eyes and relax for five minutes.

The antioxidants and tannins in the tea help shrink blood vessels around the delicate eye area, alleviating swelling and puffiness.

Read up on these 18 Genius Things To Do With Your Used Tea Bags and you’ll never throw away another used tea bag again!

Green Tea Isn’t Just For Skin – Oral Hygiene and Hair Health Benefits Too!

As you can see, there are so many reasons to use green tea to gain a glowing complexion. But green tea has other beauty uses too!

To complement your newly rejuvenated skin, why not add green tea to your hair care routine? The antioxidant EGCG found in green tea has also been proven to stimulate hair growth. A tea rinse also helps kill microbes that may cause dandruff, and will give your mane a glossy sheen.

Learn more natural and effective ways to improve hair health with these 28 Best Herbs For Hair Growth!

You may also want to consider using green tea as a cheap yet effective homemade mouthwash. Because of its ability to quell inflammation and kill bacteria, green tea extract has been shown in studies to help prevent dental cavities and gum disease. What’s more, green tea has been shown to be more effective than mint, gum, and parsley-seed oil in banishing bad breath!

11 Recipes for Using Green Tea in Your Skin Care Routine

There are so many ways you can use this amazing natural ingredient to improve skin health. In addition to simply adding green tea to your everyday skin care products, why not try some of the following beauty recipes to naturally harness the power of green tea?

1. Green Tea and Aloe Skin Toner

This three ingredient toner couldn’t be simpler to make, and will tighten pores, remove toxins, reduce redness and moisturize. Simply blend water, green tea, and aloe vera for a gentle astringent action. Those with extra oily skin can add some witch hazel if they wish.

2. Green Tea and Rice Flour Face Mask for Oily Skin

This mask will soak excess oil and sebum right up thanks to the rice flour, while green tea will actually reduce the production of sebum. Lemon juice is a fantastic astringent which kills bacteria and tones the skin.

3. Anti-Aging Green Tea and Turmeric Face Mask

Add the potent antioxidant power of both green tea and powdered turmeric to your weekly skincare routine and you’ll soon have a supple and youthful glow. (Be careful if you have light skin. Turmeric will stain if left on too long!)

4. Green Tea Bags for Puffy Eyes

This unbelievably affordable and natural beauty ‘product’ quickly and visibly reduces dark circles and diminishes puffiness. Just steep two green tea bags for 3 minutes, before allowing to cool in the refrigerator and applying to tired eyes.

5. Green Tea Sugar Scrub

A delicious and pretty homemade scrub that is packed full of goodness. Reduce redness, and create radiant and silky soft skin with regular applications. All you need is a green tea bag, one cup of brewed green tea, a cup of granulated sugar, and some olive oil.

6. Simple Green Tea Facial Steam

Steam therapy has been used to enhance health for thousands of years. It not only benefits skin health, but it can be used to relieve congestion and reduce mucus. For this simple steam bowl, simply add 3 teaspoons of dried loose green tea or teabags to a bowl of steaming water. Place a towel over your head, and breathe in the healing vapors, allowing the green tea and steam to cleanse your pores.

7. Lavender Eucalyptus Green Tea Detox Bath Salts

Salt baths are a fantastic detox tool, as they remove excess toxins through reverse osmosis. These homemade salts contain a whole host of beneficial ingredients which soothe and nourish the skin at the same time, including Epsom salts, baking soda, Vitamin E oil, and eucalyptus and lavender essential oils.

8. Homemade Facial Wash

A gently lathering cleanser which comprises green tea, antimicrobial tea tree oil, sweet almond oil, and the ever popular liquid castile soap.

9. DIY Natural Green Tea Sunscreen

Because chemical sunscreens can pose some hidden health threats, buying mineral sunscreens is always a better option. Of course, you can make your own mineral sunscreen too – like this recipe, which harnesses the UV-fighting powers of green tea.

10. Green Tea After Sun Spray

Ease and soothe skin after sun exposure with the beneficial ingredients in this spray: green tea, witch hazel, and aloe vera.

11. Soothing ‘Itchy Spray’ for Bug Bites

If you end up being bitten by bugs at every camping trip, hike, and barbecue – no matter how well you cover up – then this recipe is for you. The astringent power of green tea and the soothing abilities of plantain and peppermint mean your itching and irritation will quickly subside.

Where To Buy Green Tea Extract

For the best in 100% pure premium organic green tea extract, try this Matcha Green Tea Powder by KENKO. KENKO green tea extract is made from hand-picked and stone ground tea leaves. Plus it’s certified non-GMO and guaranteed to be free of heavy metals and pesticides, making it perfect for use on every part of your body – inside and out!