The best skincare news in the world would be discovering that a mocha latte with extra chocolate shavings on top is actually top-secret weapon for better skin. We may not be quite that lucky, but there’s some good news anyway: you can relax under a blanket, watch your favorite movie, and soothe yourself with a beverage that works overtime as a skin savior. Teas have been long known for their antioxidant and therapeutics properties — but specific teas can even help keep your complexion more youthful and glowing (and all you have to do is boil some water, grab a tea bag, let it steep, and get ready to veg out with a cup in your hand). But with so many tea varieties, which one is the best option for your skin? Beauty experts say this one hydrating tea is the secret to flawless, ageless skin.
Green Tea
Green tea has many benefits for health, weight loss, and even disease control, according to several studies and experts. But here’s another plus: it is also recommended for healthier skin.
“It can prevent skin infection because it contains the polyphenolic compound EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate),” said Alice Rawling, a hair stylist and chief editor at Hairdo Hairstyle in Los Angeles. “Green tea has powerful anti-inflammatory properties thanks to its high content of polyphenols called catechins. The catechins in green tea reduce irritation, redness, and swelling. It fights wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, and saggy skin, keeping it firm and healthy, and slows down premature aging as it is rich in oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs).”
Although it’s lower in caffeine than black tea, keep in mind that green tea still contains about 28 milligrams of caffeine per cup. Because of this, you may want to move your green tea consumption up to the morning.
If you’d rather incorporate a skin-friendly tea into your daily routine that’s caffeine-free, Kara Reich, founder and creator of Me Time Botanicals, recommends hibiscus tea. “Hibiscus tea has an abundance of vitamin C, which boosts collagen production to support a youthful firmer glow,” Reich said. “Not only does the antioxidant rich flower fight free radicals, it helps to prevent it. I recommend looking for topical leave-on skincare products which hibiscus as well to feed your skin from the inside outside.”
Should You Apply Green Tea To Your Skin?
If you’ve come across skin products like moisturizers and serums that boast green tea in their formula, you might be wondering if they’re worth a try. The answer is yes — especially is you are dealing with acne, redness, and other skin irritations and would love nothing more than calmer, clearer skin. “Green tea is anti-inflammatory, which can be helpful for people with acne-prone skin,” Rawling said. “Green tea contains polyphenols, which are plant compounds that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This means they can help reduce inflammation and protect the skin from damage caused by external culprits.”
And the cherry on top? You don’t have to spend a ton of money on skincare infused with green tea. You can take this natural ingredient and turn it into a nourishing face mask right in your kitchen. Simply brew a cup of green tea, allow the tea bag to soak for about an hour, place the tea leaves in a bowl, and add just enough honey and baking soda to create a paste. Then apply it to your skin for about 10 minutes and wash it off thoroughly.
