Hiya Gorgeous!
You’ve probably noticed by now that I get pretty excited about all things skincare. I love testing out new cruelty-free products and learning about fun DIYs. And when I find something that’s really good, I just have to tell you about it!
So when our fabulous beauty editor, Danielle Shine, filled me in on all of the incredible benefits of green tea for skin, I knew we had to share it with you.
Now before I hand it over to Danielle, I want to clear one thing up. If you’re not a fan of drinking green tea, this blog is still for you! There are tons of ways to get the benefits of green tea without sippin’ on it. Danielle has even included a recipe for her favorite DIY matcha face mask!
Take it away, Danielle!
The Benefits of Green Tea for Your Skin
by Beauty Editor Danielle Shine
Holy mother of green tea goodness!
I’ve always been #obsessed with drinking green tea. I love the fact there are so many varieties and flavors. Plus it’s so good for us, right? But I wanted to know more about the benefits of green tea! So, I went down a rabbit hole of research, and what I found out has absolutely blown my mind in the BEST way. Naturally, I just had to share this info with you, too!
But before you read any further, why not go grab yourself a cup of this gorgeous green drink? Let’s dive in!
Green tea can safeguard your skin from sun damage.
Most of us have felt the burn that comes with too much exposure to the sun. It’s painful, yes, and can also cause some serious long-term damage like premature aging and skin cancer. But what if I told you that sipping on green tea, or slathering it on your skin via a great body cream could help? It’s true!
Research suggests that green tea’s potent polyphenols (also known as ‘catechins’) have chemopreventive and photoprotective qualities (study). This means drinking or applying green tea (any kind will do) directly to your skin may help prevent UV light-induced skin disorders. Score!
But hang on a sec! Before you nix your sunscreen entirely and sip on green tea instead, you must know that although this great green stuff is all kinds of amazing for your skin, it’s still no substitute for sunscreen. Consider it the Robin to your Batman—great backup when you need it most.
Green tea can help ward off the effects of pollution.
Particle pollution, or particulate matter, is the term for the teensy-tiny solids and liquids secretly floating around in the air we live, work and play in. The types of particle pollution vary depending on where you live—big cities are the worst with all the car fumes, construction dust and other stuff floating around.
Wherever you call home, the main thing you need to know is you come into contact with particle pollution every single day. And as small as they are, these invaders can do a number on your skin.
Now, before you decide to never leave the house again, just get some green tea and you’re good to go! One of the many benefits of green tea is that it contains one of the most potent polyphenols ever: epigallocatchin‐3‐gallate (let’s call it EGCG for short!). EGCG works wonders against all kinds of pollutants that cause premature aging, inflammation and a whole host of other skin invaders and degraders.
Green tea can help clear up your skin.
Lucky for us, the amazing antioxidants found in green tea target all kinds of inflammatory free radicals in our skin by attacking them on a cellular level, which is so sci-fi-cool! They work FAST to help stop breakouts before they even start. And on the topic of breakouts, I’ve got to give a shout out to green tea’s tannins, too! Y’know that slightly bitter, astringent flavor most green teas have? Tannins! These marvelous bits of matter can shrink yo’ pores and reduce the production of sebum (the naturally oily stuff your skin makes that can cause pimples when pores get blocked).
On that note, here’s something I’d love for you to keep in mind: Inflammation of the skin can be stressful, painful and even embarrassing, but you must know it’s always an important message from your body. It’s flagging an issue whilst healing it at the same time. As hard as it can be, be open to listening to and loving every inch of your body. Embrace and get to know any inflammatory signals it sends you, and check with your doc if you suspect something’s up.
Now, let’s treat your skin to the benefits of green tea with my super simple DIY face mask…
Danielle’s DIY Matcha Face Mask
You need:
- 1 tablespoon plain, full-fat, non-dairy, probiotic-rich yogurt. Choose a brand with the highest amount of probiotics you can find OR crack open one probiotic capsule and mix the powder in with the yogurt. Avoid watery yogurts with lots of refined sugar, preservatives or other processed additives—a brand with a minimal list of ingredients is your best bet!
- 1 teaspoon finely ground green tea leaves/green tea powder. I used matcha powder for my mask, but any type of green tea will do. Opt for loose leaf (or just pop open a tea bag’s worth) and grind it in your coffee grinder to a fine powder.
You do:
- Mix everything together, then paint onto your fantastic face with a clean makeup brush.
- Leave for 10 minutes, just enough time to sip some green tea and maybe squeeze in a little meditation, too! Any of these will work wonders.
- When suitably relaxed and feelin’ fine, remove mask with a washcloth soaked in warm, skin-friendly-soapy water. Look in the mirror, admire your beauty and resume life with healthier, happier skin. Repeat once or twice a week.
Until next time, here’s cheers! I’m headed to the kitchen to make myself some tea.
Hi this is great news! I have been a loose leaf green tea drinker for years and will now become a ground loose leaf face mask wearer too! Having been 100% vegan and plant based for over 2 years, i have found my skin, hair and nails have all improved dramatically by not being fed damaging foods, well obviously far more damaging for the innocent lives they have taken anyway, so all win win. Thanks for you truly upbeat inspiring messages Kris, they are always uplifting and always very very welcome! Namaste!
Hi Susi! Can’t wait to see pics of your mask. Mwah! xo, kc
Thrilled this resonates with you Susi, it sounds like you’re pretty switched on when it comes to all-things-health-and-wellness, good for you!
Enjoy wearing your green tea mask, it’s one of my favs 🙂
Danielle x
I make iced green tea and keep it in my fridge. I fill a pitcher with water and put in 4 or 5 green tea bags, let it sit on the counter a few hours. Take out the tea bags and put in the fridge and drink daily. Just water and green tea so simple. Everyone that comes over my house asks for it!
Great idea!
Sounds so refreshing, Jeanne! I’d definitely be asking for a glass :-). xo, kc
SUCH a great idea Jeanne! People often nix their herbal-tea-drinking habits during summer but this is the time we can really load up on the good stuff by brewing it like you do! Delicious and much more interesting than plain ol’ water!
Cheers to you 🙂
You have given us an amazing idea. Thanks
Ah! You’re so welcome Mani – thanks for taking the time to comment x
I learned about this 10 years ago. I had an exchange student from Korea who taught me to make a mask like this. It’s a nice antioxidant mask.
Wonderful Lori, I just LOVE how green tea masks continue to stand the test of time! I also think the story of how it was discovered is pretty awesome too… According to my research, leaves from a camellia sinensis (green tea) plant accidentally fell into a pot of water a Chinese emperor (who was also a herbalist) was boiling way back in 273BC!! So cool, no?! Thanks for taking the time to comment 🙂
I’ve been drinking green tea every morning for the last 12 years and love its taste and benefits. Now I can’t wait to try the facial mask-sounds great! Thank you!
Fabulous, Benita! Let us know what you think. xo, kc
I can’t wait for you to try it too Benita! Enjoy 🙂
I love this so much! I drink green tea and matcha every day. I knew it was good for me but I didn’t know about all of its super powers until now! I have another matcha mask recipe that I love but I will give this one a try too. Thanks for sharing and have a lovely day.
XOXO, Amy @ Jeans and a Tea
Isn’t it funny how the things we enjoy every day can still surprise us? Hope you love the mask. xo, kc
Ah, so thrilled to read your comment Amy, I absolutely can’t wait for you to try the mask, enjoy!!
Danielle x
I have moringa powder in the house. Can I use this too? Also is it possible to just put the green stuff on your face using and oil like coconut or olive. Or, just the green stuff alone mixed with water?
Hi Paula, you absolutely can use moringa – any green tea will do, though matcha and moringa are just that little more super-charged with the good stuff, so you’re off to a great start!
In terms of combining green tea with oil, this is fine too, though you’ll need to ensure the oil you use works with your skin type – you definitely want to cleanse, not clog which olive oil can tend to do to some skin types… Coconut oil is a great antibacterial oil, however, I recommend using it for makeup removal vs a face mask like this one, as it certainly won’t ‘feed’ your face in the same way as the yoghurt/green tea mask will. It also tends to melt fast on skin contact, so using it for this mask may make a big ol’ green tea mess before it has any chance to do great stuff to your skin… Food for thought!
Like anything, experiment and see what works for you, and enjoy 🙂
Danielle x
Does decaf green tea hold the same benefits? Is one (caf/decaf) preferred?
Hi Anna, decaf is fine too! It still houses all the good stuff, so you’re good to go! Some of the research did report caffeinated green tea as being that little-bit-more beneficial (something to do with the caffeine super-boosting green tea’s antioxidant activity for the skin) but it’s safe to say you’re still getting most of the benefits either way. Hope this helps!
Danielle x
I use Cocokind matcha stick on my face and anywhere weird skin things pop up. ??
Ohhhhh sounds delightful, Jennifer! Thanks for sharing. xo, kc
Love it Jennifer, sounds like you’re on to a winner! #greentearocks
Danielle x
Oh I’d never thought to do all that with green tea. I’m off to the store…..
Can’t wait to see your face mask, Lorna! xo, kc
Right? So awesome isn’t it Lorna! Needless to say, my love for green tea grew stronger and stronger during researching and writing this piece!! Have fun and enjoy the mask 🙂
Danielle x
Great article! I loooove green tea. Anyone interested in this stuff should definitely check out the book Everyday Roots. It teaches you how to replace all the toxic chemicals in your life with healthy organic alternatives. Its completely changed my life and how I feel everyday! 🙂
Heres a great review of everday roots: http://reggiesreview.weebly.com/everyday-roots-review.html
Keep up the great content!
I LOVE the sound of replacing toxic chemicals with healthy alternatives, thanks for sharing Jamie!
Wishing you a wonderful day too 🙂
Danielle x
Hello!
Would really like to try this one. Could you suggest a replacement for non-dairy yogurt? Where I live, non-dairy organic yogurt is super expensive and not really available all the time.
Thank you!
Hi Marta, thrilled you’re going to give this a go 🙂 Any kind of yoghurt will do – I make my own homemade fermented coconut yoghurt which works a treat and keeps costs down. Here’s my recipe in case you want to give it a go: https://www.instagram.com/p/BcZIVXwhT6M/?hl=en&taken-by=chef_shine
Danielle x
I love brewing green tea with mint and drinking it over the rocks. So refreshing on a hot steamy day!
Makes me say “ahhhh” just thinking about it, Valerie! So refreshing, indeed. xo, kc
Yes. Please. Valerie!
Such a perfect way to cool down your body and feed it with all the good stuff too 🙂
Danielle x
Hi Kris!
I’m already a big matcha fan and was wondering if you could suggest a great plain, full-fat, non-dairy, probiotic-rich yogurt to look for? I’m familiar with yogurt but not the “non-dairy” type. What do you use to make this mask? Can’t wait to try it!
Hi Sandy! Full fat coconut yoghurt works a treat in this recipe – I make my own, but wherever you live, look for a brand that houses only the real stuff + probiotics (which are great for your skin!). Choose a brand that doesn’t house: gums, thickeners, sugars, preservatives or ‘natural’ flavourings/colourings.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you could always give my fermented coconut yoghurt recipe a go: https://www.instagram.com/p/BcZIVXwhT6M/?hl=en&taken-by=chef_shine
Enjoy 🙂
Danielle x
Love this article, thank you! I’m obsessed with my matcha latte’s with hemp milk; I love how the caffeine processes differently than regular green tea and doesn’t make me feel jittery! XO Gemma
You’re so welcome Gemma, thanks for taking the time to comment 🙂
Matcha is my main green tea of choice too! It so MUCH richer in nutritional elements than any other green teas + the no-jitters thing is such a bonus. And just when you think it can’t it any better, research states it also protects against liver and kidney damage, so here’s cheers to that!
PS I’m heading into my kitchen now to try it with hemp milk, great tip!
Danielle x
Awesome! XO
I made a couple of toners using green tea as the main ingredient. For my daughter who had acne I mixed green tea with a little bit of magnesium oil, and a tiny pinch of sea salt and I made one for myself with just green tea and aloe (from my aloe plant). I kept it in the refrigerator so it was super refreshing when I would use it.
Ah, what magical concoctions you’ve created Heather, you are quite the alchemist 🙂
I LOVE the idea of pairing green tea with magnesium flakes, genius! And mixing another green tea brew with aloe is such a smart, health-supportive way to feed the skin in summer! I am inspired, thank you for sharing.
Danielle x
Hi, Kris!
This is such a well-written article, plus the recipe at the end by Danielle is very helpful . Personally, I love green tea myself as part of my skincare regimen. I feel like they do really detoxify the skin and reveal a brighter appearance. I wouldn’t pass on doing the diy mask recipe!
Wow Nicky, thank you so much for your kind words, they’ve made my day 🙂
Thrilled you’re going to try the mask, I hope you enjoy all the great green tea feels!
Danielle x
I love green tea and would like to drink it, but it makes my teeth yellow. So now I drink a small cup of black tea with lots of almond milk in it instead. Does anyone have any tips about counteracting the teath (sorry!). As for using it in skin care yes yes yes! I sometimes keep a chilled mason jar of green tea in my fridge and apply soaked cotton pads of it onto my undereye bags in the morning. It tightens them up and refreshes my face.
Hi Susan, how curious…
Although green tea can stain your teeth, I always thought black tea was much worse! In my experience, green tea stains teeth grey and black tea stains them yellow, so perhaps check the staining isn’t stemming from your black tea… Regardless, to combat those pesky green tea stains, you could always try brushing your teeth (in the shower is best) with activated charcoal toothpaste. Something similar to this: https://www.activewow.com/products/charcoal-powder-natural-teeth-whitening may help combat the stains. I brush with activated charcoal at night in the shower and follow up with my normal toothpaste before bed and have no stains on my teeth (and I’m a gal who drinks green tea daily!). I also make it a priority to visit the dentist every 6 months for a professional clean which helps maintain my pearly whites 🙂
On a similar note, do you eat strawberries? Maybe a few every now and then in your breakfast bowl because they contain malic acid which is a natural tooth whitener!
Danielle x
PS LOVE your chilled green tea/eyebag remedy, such a great, natural way to support your skin!! x
Woow! Thanks for sharing awesome tips.
Hey Louis, thank YOU for taking time to comment!
I am so thrilled you this resonated with you 🙂
Danielle x
I heard the lot about green tea but it has this many benefits I never knew. Thanks for sharing the tips and tricks about the green tea.
Hi Riddhima!
Yes, it’s always been just one of those commonly known things hasn’t it…but when I delved deep into the research, WOW! I found SO much more amazing info vs what’s typically shared. I am so thankful for people like Kris who provide such great channels to communicate and share this more in-depth, important information!
Thanks for taking time to leave a comment, and enjoy your green tea!
Danielle x
Never though green tea can be such a gold mine.
Love your writing!
Thank you my friend, I’m so glad you liked this post!! Green tea is pretty amazing, isn’t it?! I love how accessible it is too!! Cheers to that 🙂