It’s no secret that tea is both delicious and good for you, and its health benefits are so extensive that we have dedicated multiple articles to them. Today, I want to specifically talk about tea's benefits on your skin and how it can be used as skincare.
Tea’s abundant benefits come from different compounds found within it such as tannins and antioxidants. Different types of teas have different levels of these valuable compounds and therefore can affect your skin and health in a handful of ways. Green tea is definitely the most common type of tea to see in actual skincare products, but other varieties have their benefits as well.
Let’s start with green tea since it is the most popular type of tea in the skincare world. Green tea has high levels of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and anticarcinogenic properties. These properties have been known to moisturize skin and reduce inflammation. They have specifically been tested on UV-induced redness, like sunburn, and are known for being gentle on sensitive skin. Green tea has been an extremely popular ingredient in skincare items like face masks, moisturizers, serums, and toners. Much of its popularity is attributed to the Korean beauty buzz that has gained traction recently. A popular beauty brand that has played a major role in this green tea trend is Tony Moly.
While green tea may be more popular, black tea has actually been used in skincare for a longer period of time. Black tea was first used as skincare in the 1400s during the Chinese Ming Dynasty. Like green tea, it has a considerable amount of antioxidants, but it also has a higher caffeine content. The mix of caffeine and antioxidants can help reduce puffiness around the eyes and reduce signs of aging. These properties make black tea a popular ingredient in skin products like eye creams and serums. One of my personal favorite skin care products with black tea in it is the Fresh Black Tea Firming Peptides Serum. Another way to get that de-puffing effect around your eyes is to reuse your teabags by placing them under your eyes for a few minutes when you are finished steeping. For this trick, I recommend Hackberry’s English Breakfast placed inside of the natural T-sac Filter Bags.
Rooibos tea is another important type of tea in the skincare world. Rooibos tea is made from a caffeine-free herb that contains high levels of Vitamin C and zinc. Both of these compounds give your skin a healthy, glowy look and zinc is even known for reducing acne. Other herbal teas tend to have beneficial ingredients as well. Examples of this include rose, which is a fantastic natural moisturizer, and lavender, which promotes the production of collagen in the skin.
Whether you are drinking it or applying it to your face, there is so much to love about tea. Now that you know all of its skincare secrets, go make yourself a glass and work on getting that glowy look perfect for summer!
