It’s no secret that using natural ingredients can be a godsend for the skin. From cucumber to blueberries, aloe vera, and even kale, certain ‘superfoods’ known to improve our overall health have just as many tangible benefits for the skin.
More than the star of your oat milk matcha latte or your evening cuppa, green tea is one such ingredient that’s been known to turbo charge skin health for a broad array of skin types and concerns. Acne, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, redness, and the environmental stressors we encounter in daily life haven’t got a chance against the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory nature of green tea.
So, what are you waiting for? It’s glow time – keep reading to learn more about all the perks of adding green tea to your skincare routine.
What are the benefits of green tea for skin?
Green tea has a bunch of pretty cool benefits for the skin’s overall health and appearance, and because it’s naturally derived, it’s gentle enough to incorporate into most routines regardless of skin type. Here are some green tea benefits that will help you achieve that enviable glowy, hydrated, and fresh complexion…
Protecting against skin damage from free radicals
One of the most potent antioxidants around is called EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), and fortunately, it’s found in green tea. EGCG has actually been shown to reduce the effect stress can have on the brain and to inhibit the growth of cancer, cementing it as such a superfood for your internal health.
It has similar effects on the skin, slowing down the damage external stressors can have on skin cells, and as some studies have found, even reversing existing damage from free radicals, which are pesky particles that can cause big-time damage to our skin. We all encounter free radicals in our daily life through exposure to air pollution, UV rays, and even certain foods, so it’s important to have something in your routine to prevent excessive damage and protect the skin on the whole – and green tea will certainly do the trick! Sun damage, fine lines, and uneven skin tone and texture issues in particular will be no match against a product packed with the benefits of green tea.
Preventing against visible signs of ageing
If a radiant, youthful complexion that makes the bartender do a double take at your ID sounds like a good time, then you should definitely add green tea onto your roster. Every anti-ageing skincare routine needs products with antioxidant properties, and green tea is full of them (spoiler: EGCG is one!), as well as a generous handful of other vitamins and minerals.
The free radical damage that green tea can prevent against is a huge contributor to premature or heightened skin ageing, so by protecting the skin, this magic ingredient can consequently reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin texture. Green tea also contains Vitamin C, which is a great go-to for promoting the skin’s collagen production, keeping it smooth, supple, and bright for longer. The wrap on green tea? Don’t skip over it if you’re looking to maintain that youthful glow.
Controlling overproduction of sebum
Another incredible benefit of green tea is that it has been found to reduce sebum, which in turn, can help with treating acne and breakouts, and controlling oiliness. Sebum is an oily substance produced by the body’s sebaceous glands that can clog the pores and lead to inflammation, whether that’s simply small blackheads or large, cystic pustules. While sebum is not inherently bad – in fact, our bodies rely on it to protect against moisture loss – having too much can seriously disrupt the skin barrier and cause breakouts.
The star of the show in green tea is once again EGCG, which can lower the skin’s lipid levels and is also anti-androgenic (androgens being hormones that can increase acne). By regularly using a product formulated with green tea extract, you’ll give your skin a better chance at staying balanced, clear, and feeling clean and light, rather than weighed down by painful acne.
Soothing tired, dry, or red skin
Lastly, green tea is a must-use ingredient if your skin needs to calm down every now and again. Redness, flakiness, or dry, tired-feeling skin will benefit from the polyphenols in green tea, which are the components that contain all the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Like a lot of other antioxidant-rich ingredients, green tea works wonders to soothe skin, helping it to feel less hot or tight when inflamed.
Who should use green tea?
Because green tea is naturally derived and doesn’t have any harsh effects like chemically-formulated skincare, on its own, it can be used by every skin type. However, be sure to pay attention to the other ingredients in whichever green tea product you pick up, as these will vary and as a result, have different effects for different skin concerns.
In particular, green tea is super beneficial for those looking to reduce or fight against the visible signs of ageing, acne and breakout sufferers, and anyone with red, dry, tired, or irritated skin. Plus, as a stellar pick for preventing free radical damage encountered in everyday life, there’s really no excuse to be sleeping on green tea, no matter what kind of skin you have.
When should you use green tea?
Green tea-based products can be applied daily if they aren’t paired with harsher ingredients, and are best used in the morning before heading out into your natural environment where you will come across more free radicals through air pollution and UV radiation.
Need a pick-me-up that can be spritzed morning, night, and any time in between to keep skin hydrated, protected and calmed? Our Teatox Glow Serum Spritz is the key to better skin that positively glows all day long. The hero of the story, green tea is front and centre in this product, paired with cucumber, another fan-fave ingredient that’s equally as packed full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits. The final piece of the puzzle in the Teatox Glow Serum Spritz is hyaluronic acid (HA), which works overtime to lock moisture into the skin to increase hydration and that supple, dewy look.
Apply your Teatox Glow Serum Spritz after cleansing onto damp skin, then pop it into your bag to refresh the skin throughout the day and keep the glow going. It’s the perfect staple skincare item to have in your handbag (and on your bathroom shelf… and perhaps one in the car…) to give your complexion a boost, especially if it’s looking dull, tired, or dry.
Harness the benefits of green tea and shop the Remake Teatox Glow Serum Spritz now. When you’re ready to take simple skincare to the next level, shop our full range of ingredient-led, sustainably packaged, no-nasties skincare.