Teas are usually touted as ultra healthy beverages that contain beneficial antioxidants that can fight cell-damaging free radicals and protect your body and skin. We don’t want to put teas down — keeping your regular tea time is still an excellent idea. But if you’re searching for the healthiest teas that can aid in your anti-aging skincare goals, some teas are simply better than others.
Dr, Anil Rajani has the lowdown on three teas that he doesn’t recommend if your goals include retaining fat pads in your skin and building collagen. Don’t worry: there are still more teas that are good for you than ones you’ll find out are best to abstain from, but these “dehydrating” teas aren’t going to be your best bets.
1. Teas with Excessive Caffeine
Caffeine can provide a temporary pre-workout boost and help your memory, but excess caffeine can cause the jitters, increase your heart rate, and — this is key for good skin — disrupt your sleep patterns. You need quality sleep every night for optimal health. If you find yourself stacking or relying on teas like black and green tea alone, Rajani recommends cutting back on them or swapping them for a lower caffeine version of green tea, which contains beneficial antioxidants that are great for your health and skin (minus all of the caffeine).
2. Sugar-Infused Tea
Commercially available teas are drowning in sugar and can contribute to weight gain, dental issues, and overall health problems. “Insulin resistance and the fat pads in the face, they become unhealthy and you look aged,” Rajani says. Any time you see flavored blends, look at the label to see how much sugar it contains — there’s a good chance it’s high in hidden sugars. If you want a more sweetened tea, Rajani recommends sweetening it on your own at home with an anti-bacterial honey. He also suggests looking for loose-leaf tea instead of pre-packaged sugar-infused tea drinks.
3. Detox Tea
Some detox teas have bad ingredients that aren’t proven or studied. They can contain laxatives and diuretics that can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and can even harm your digestive system and gut health, according to Rajani. Read labels carefully. If you find ingredients like Senna, Cascara Sagrada, Rajani suggests considering an alternative tea that contains natural ingredients.
