Green tea is one of the healthiest drinks out there. This ancient Asian beverage can enhance memory and concentration, boost energy, strengthen your immune system, and so much more.

For skin health, drinking green tea can help delay aging, protect against UV rays, improve skin tone, and reduce acne. Applying green tea directly to the skin also offers a host of benefits. Here’s why you should consider adding green tea to your daily skincare routine.

1. Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Green tea is rich in antioxidants and other properties that fight inflammation and bacteria. Research in the Journal of the American Medical Association Dermatology suggests that green tea has anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic potential, which could significantly improve various skin conditions.

2. Fight the Signs of Aging
Antioxidants in green tea, especially catechins like EGCG, can reactivate dying skin cells and prevent free radical damage, helping to reduce signs of aging such as age spots, wrinkles, and sun damage.

3. Treat Oily Skin
Tannins in green tea act as an astringent, shrinking pores and reducing the production of sebum (the skin’s natural oil). Studies have shown a significant decrease in sebum production with green tea extract products.

4. Eliminate Acne and Blackheads
Topical green tea applications have been shown to significantly improve mild to moderate acne. Its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties help fight acne and blackheads, making it a safe and cost-effective skincare treatment.

5. A Gentle Exfoliator
The slightly abrasive texture of dry green tea leaves makes them a fantastic exfoliator, removing dead skin cells, excess oil, and pollutants, revealing fresh skin underneath. A homemade green tea exfoliator is a great alternative to products containing harmful microbeads.

6. Added Sun Protection
Drinking green tea can protect your skin and neutralize UV damage. Studies suggest that consuming the equivalent of two cups of green tea a day can reduce inflammation and redness from sun exposure. Topical applications of catechin-rich emulsions also offer protective benefits.

7. Energizing Scent
Start your day by using a green tea-infused toner or body wash. Many find the aroma of green tea both uplifting and soothing, making it suitable for both morning and nighttime routines.

8. Reduce Eye Puffiness
If you have puffy eyes or dark circles, place cool tea bags or cotton balls dipped in cold green tea over your eyes for five minutes. The antioxidants and tannins help shrink blood vessels around the eye area, reducing swelling and puffiness.

Green Tea Benefits Beyond Skin Care
Green tea isn’t just good for your skin—it also benefits your hair and oral hygiene. The antioxidant EGCG stimulates hair growth, helps treat dandruff, and adds shine. A green tea rinse can kill microbes causing dandruff and improve hair health.

Green tea can also be used as a mouthwash to prevent dental cavities and gum disease, and it’s more effective at banishing bad breath than mint, gum, or parsley-seed oil.

11 Green Tea Recipes for Skin Care
Incorporate green tea into your skincare routine with these easy recipes:

1. Green Tea and Aloe Skin Toner: Mix water, green tea, and aloe vera for a gentle astringent toner.
2. Green Tea and Rice Flour Face Mask: This mask reduces oil and tones the skin.
3. Anti-Aging Green Tea and Turmeric Face Mask: Use green tea and turmeric for a youthful glow.
4. Green Tea Bags for Puffy Eyes: Cool steeped tea bags work wonders on puffy eyes.
5. Green Tea Sugar Scrub: A homemade scrub that leaves your skin radiant and soft.
6. Simple Green Tea Facial Steam: Steam with green tea to cleanse pores and relieve congestion.
7. Lavender Eucalyptus Green Tea Detox Bath Salts: Detoxify and nourish your skin with these bath salts.
8. Homemade Facial Wash: Cleanse your face with green tea, tea tree oil, and liquid castile soap.
9. DIY Natural Green Tea Sunscreen: Protect your skin naturally with a green tea-based sunscreen.
10. Green Tea After Sun Spray: Soothe sun-exposed skin with this green tea spray.
11. Soothing ‘Itchy Spray’ for Bug Bites: Relieve bug bite itching with a green tea, plantain, and peppermint spray.

Incorporate green tea into your beauty routine and enjoy its numerous benefits for healthier skin, hair, and overall wellness.