Last Updated: August 5, 2021
Green tea isn't just delicious — it's also a power-packed ingredient in many skincare essentials. See how it soothes skin, reduces inflammation, and more.
Go green with your skincare routine — literally — because your favorite beverage has found its way into the health and beauty aisle.
That's right, green tea is no longer just for drinking — it's also a beneficial addition to your daily beauty regimen.
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment options.
Green tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. When you steep the leaves in hot water, you’ve got a cuppa. But the many proven green tea benefits don’t end with drinking it.
Applied topically, steamed or steeped tea leaves have medicinal uses for the skin that have been documented for thousands of years.
First off, it’s a goldmine of polyphenols, including EGCG and ECG, which are potent anti-cancer compounds. It’s also rife with cell-loving theanine and vitamins C, E, B-2, beta carotene, and folic acid, which do your skin a world of good, whether you splash your face with freshly brewed tea or drink cups of it.
Here’s how:
The polyphenols in it have natural anti-inflammatory properties that reduce redness, swelling, and irritation to help even out your skin tone.
A review of 20 studies found that topical application of green tea is beneficial for rosacea, dermatitis, and psoriasis.
Its antimicrobial properties minimize acne and reduce both the redness and swelling associated with it.
The polyphenols and ECGS in it also help reduce sebum secretion and actively fight bacteria growth and infections that lead to acne breakouts.
It’s a common ingredient in natural moisturizers because of its hydrating qualities. Plus, it’s a great source of vitamin E and L-Theanine, which moisturize and nourish the skin.
Green tea works well on both oily and dry skin, helping to control oil while preventing dryness.
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It doesn’t work as a physical sunscreen, but it does have incredible benefits for protecting your skin from the damage the sun can do.
Research shows that green tea is an effective pharmaceutical agent to prevent melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, largely due to its EGCG component.
Both drinking and applying it to the skin helps prevent the UVB-induced suppression of immune responses so that your body can better fight against skin cancer and other skin disorders.
The sun causes more than skin cancer — it also contributes to premature aging. The EGCG in green tea helps repair dying skin cells to combat the signs of aging and to make dull skin appear brighter and healthier.
Plus, it is packed with B-12 vitamins, which promote optimal collagen levels for firmer skin.
Revive your skin in a matter of minutes with a green tea face mask as part of your weekly skincare routine.
Apply the mask two or three times a week, and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes to fight free radical damage and reduce redness and skin irritation.
Follow your face mask with a green tea moisturizer that calms the skin and provides oil-free hydration.
It isn't usually the only active ingredient in moisturizers, so choose one with other ingredients that target your particular skin woes.
Turn back the clock with a green tea night repair serum that helps reduce visible signs of aging, like fine lines and wrinkles, and repairs oxidative damage at the cellular level.
These serums stay on overnight, allowing green tea to do its thing as you rest up.
Fight the signs of aging while re-introducing nutrients to your skin with a lovely green tea toner — apply it after you cleanse and before you moisturize.
It is often paired with hyaluronic acid and other nourishing ingredients for maximum hydration. Read up on natural toners to find the best one for your routine.
Your day is busy, and your skin can suffer because of it.
Stock up on green tea face wipes, and take the soothing, cleansing power of this natural ingredient along with you to work, the gym, on your daily walk — these go where you go, and they offer a quick refresh.
Exfoliate your skin with the green tea konjac sponge. This sponge provides the texture you need for exfoliation but is gentle enough to use every day.
You may just like it more than your usual scrubbing tools — Grove writer Leslie sure did!
Not only is it a healthy swap-out for soda, juice, and other sugary beverages, but drinking it is just as good for your skin as slathering it on.
If you don’t like the flavor, get your daily dose with a green tea extract supplement, and reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and an impressive list of cancers including prostate cancer.
It’s antioxidant capacity also helps symptoms of liver damage and may contribute to healthy weight loss.
Note: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Dr. Michael Greger, founder of NutritionFacts.org, lays out the benefits in his Green Tea Power podcast. Listen below.
One of the best things about green tea is that it’s safe and effective for nearly every skin type.
The only precaution for using it internally or externally is that if you’re specifically allergic to it — don’t use it.
Otherwise, drink it up or rub yourself down with it as you wish — your skin will love you for it.
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