16/06/2021
BENEFITS OF DRINKING GREEN TEA FOR SKIN.
What you consume shows up in your skin, full stop. That's why derms often praise a hydrating, high-fat, antioxidant-rich diet for glowing, supple skin. And in terms of antioxidant-rich players, green tea ranks pretty high on the list.
Specifically, the tea is supercharged with polyphenols: "Green tea is approximately 30% polyphenol antioxidants by weight," says board-certified dermatologist Cynthia Bailey, M.D., founder of Dr. Bailey Skin Care. The most notable of the bunch is the catechin epigallocatechin gallate (or EGCG), which research shows has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Another review even found that drinking green tea (or applying it topically, which we'll get into later) helped inhibit UV-damage and oxidative stress—both of which can lead to early signs of skin aging, like hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and fragile, crepey skin.
Which type of green tea is best for skin?
Make sure to purchase high-quality green tea, if you can: 100% pure, organic and non-GMO. Read your labels to make sure there aren't any added flavors or ingredients (some common ones include soy lecithin, cornstarch, and corn syrup).
As for matcha, green tea's jade-colored cousin, it's just as top-notch for skin—if not more so. It's grown in the shade, and the leaves are ground into a powder once harvested, which creates a more concentrated blend with a pea-green hue. In fact, one study found that matcha contained 137 times more EGCG than green tea. Again, make sure to buy 100% pure and organic matcha if it's available to you, but it's a worthy sip for skin.
GREEN TEA'S BATCH OF BENEFITS:
1. Controls sebum production.
"Topical use of green tea reduces sebum production, gets rid of oiliness, and protects against acne-causing bacteria," licensed acupuncturist Antonia Balfour, LAc (who specializes in skin care), once told mbg about the best teas for acne. In fact, one study found that a topical 2% green tea lotion was an effective treatment for mild to moderate acne. (Some even swear by the supercharged tea to get rid of a pimple overnight!)
2. Helps protect against UV damage.
We discussed how consuming polyphenols from green tea had a protective effect on the skin, and studies found that topical application of polyphenols can help repair skin as well, protecting it from sun damage and even reversing signs of skin aging (like dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles).
3. Helps heal acne and scarring.
Considering all acne stems from inflammation, treating a zit with green tea can help the zit appear smaller and less noticeable. Not to mention, "the caffeine in the tea will increase blood flow to allow more rapid healing of the blemish," says board-certified dermatologist Suneel Chilukuri, M.D., about using green tea to treat acne.
Again, green tea's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties are well documented, and it's these benefits that make it so wonderful for skin brightening and repair.
4. Soothes inflammatory skin conditions.
"Green tea is anti-inflammatory for skin conditions such as rosacea," notes Bailey. "I've used it in my practice for years to help control rosacea, and it works well for even the most sensitive rosacea-prone complexions. Bathing in green tea has also been shown to soothe atopic eczema."
5. Reduces puffiness.
Green tea contains caffeine (28.8 mg, to be exact; 70 mg for matcha), which can constrict blood vessels in your skin when applied topically. In turn, this can reduce inflammation and the swollen skin that tends to pair with it. "That's why green tea lotions used under the eyes can help with puffiness," board-certified dermatologist Loretta Ciraldo, M.D., FAAD, once told us about using caffeine in skin care.