Many of us know green tea as a tasty drink, but did you know green tea can be a key element to better skin and health? Believe it or not, green tea isn’t just another beauty industry fad. This emerald tea has been used for centuries by practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for its many health and wellness benefits. Get the scoop on what’s so great about green tea and how to incorporate it into your daily routine. 

How to Use Green Tea for Better Skin

Green tea contains a ton of beneficial properties for your skin, but how do you actually use green tea in your skincare routine? While you might think you have to drink green tea to reap the benefits, green tea and its extracts come in many different forms which you can add to your beauty routine. While many skin and beauty brands have included green tea in their formulas for cleansers and creams, you can actually get the green tea glow at home using ingredients from your kitchen cupboard! 

Use Green Tea as a Toner 

Brew an extra cup of green tea and let it cool. Then transfer it into a spray bottle and add drops of witch hazel, tea tree oil, or other oils as desired. Gently mist your face as the first step after cleansing in the morning and evening. The antioxidants, vitamins, and anti-inflammatory qualities in green tea make for an excellent base for the rest of your skincare process! 

Brighten Up Those Tired Eyes

Brew green tea using two bags. While you sip on your tea, place the tea bags under the eyes or on the eyelids. Let the tea bags sit for 5 to 10 minutes. The elements of caffeine and tannins in green tea work wonders on those dark circles and any swelling in the eye region by shrinking the blood vessels.

Make a Tea Leaf Skin Scrub 

All you need to create this purifying and exfoliating scrub are 3 scoops of green tea leaves, brown sugar, olive oil, honey, and any additional essential oils you wish to include. Mix the scrub together and store in a sealed container for weekly or bi-weekly use. This green tea scrub is a great way to extend the benefits of green tea to not only your face, but your neck, arms, hands, and legs.

Create a Restorative Face Mask 

Green tea is an excellent ingredient to use as a foundation for weekly face masks. Blend with other properties as needed for your skin. A few suggestions are  honey, lemon, apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, etc.

How to Use Green Tea for General Wellness 

If you’re not looking for a new skincare routine but still want that healthy glow from green tea, there are a few things to try! First, make this tea your go-to drink. Consider having one cup to start your morning and another in the afternoon to get the full benefits. If hot tea isn’t your jam, consider making a big batch and chilling in the fridge for a refreshing iced drink. You can add other plants and herbs like lemon or goji berries for additional benefits. 

If you’d rather eat your way to that green tea goodness get creative with using green tea in your favorite dishes! Many recipes that call for water can be easily substituted with green tea like oatmeal or porridge, salad dressings and sauces, baked goods, or for the water used to make rice or quinoa. These sneaky and easy ways to add green tea to your diet add a lot of benefit without much additional effort. 

Healing Properties of Green Tea 

So how much can really fit into one cup of green tea? Studies have shown that green tea contains the organic chemical EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate). This chemical was found to contain many powerful properties for better health. 

Based on the studies currently available, green tea is a good choice for those seeking antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, immune system support, and to improve conditions relating to the arteries, heart, and diabetes. Green tea also contains large amounts of both Vitamin B2 and Vitamin E. 

These vitamins are the elements that make green tea a powerful ingredient for maintaining the health of the skin. Vitamin B2 is known for securing firm collagen levels while Vitamin E promotes the expedited growth of skin cells. These two vitamins work together to help skin look fresh, youthful, and glowing. Green tea is most often praised for its low amounts of caffeine and high amounts of antioxidants.

In Asia, people have been committed to drinking green tea for over 2,000 years! TCM practitioners often prescribe green tea as part of treatment to help detox the liver, relax the body, clear toxin, boost the immune system, and promote healthy digestion. It is important to note that drinking the tea is typically only one part of treatment. If you’re looking to fix one of the listed issues, be sure to consult with a doctor or TCM practitioner.

Common Questions About Green Tea 

While green tea is common to see on tea trays, there are many questions surrounding the origin, usage, and effectiveness of the drink. We answer some of the most common questions surrounding green tea.

What Are the Origins of Green Tea? 

Green tea is first known to be found and brewed in China. It was considered one of the foundational elements of everyday living and often used as a cleanser for the mouth after dinner. Green tea has been enjoyed in China for over 2,000 years and is often grown high in mountainous terrains. 

Originally, green tea was made by grinding up the leaves and whisking them with hot water, creating a much thicker and earthier consistency and taste than we’re used to today. This concept was taken by monks into Japan which later turned into matcha. Chinese green tea, however, evolved to the process of steeping and straining tea that we know today. 

Does Green Tea Improve Skin?

There are many beneficial organic chemicals, vitamins, and healing properties in green tea that help facilitate healthy skin and heal skin imperfections. While it is advised to use a full skin treatment beyond just green tea, it can specifically help promote the purification of pores, and reduction of oil, inflammation and irritation. 

It’s always advised to test skin treatments on a small patch of skin before full use. For help with determining the best green tea skin treatment for you, consult with a TCM practitioner or skincare professional.

Does Green Tea Reduce Belly Fat? 

There have been several studies linking green tea to weight loss. While most scientists have come to the conclusion that drinking green tea alone isn’t the solution to weight loss, it can play a part in your efforts. One study using the highly concentrated green tea extract found that the men who took the extract prior to exercising burned fat at a rate 17% higher than those who did not. 

The high levels of EGCG and antioxidants have been praised for their ability to boost metabolism and flush out toxins in the body. Drinking green tea will not only support your overall health and wellbeing during your weight loss journey, but it’s also a tasty alternative to high-calorie drink options like sodas and juices. 

Do you have a creative way to incorporate green tea in your daily beauty and wellness routines? Share your best tips with the community on social media.