"Mama is obsessed with matcha.” My four-year-old has adopted this phrase every time we run to the local cafe on our way to the playground. She has even gotten my nine-year-old in on the action. “Mom, let me guess. That’s matcha.” Yes, children. Mom loves her green tea, and she loves matcha most of all. While I am a tried and true never gonna give it up coffee lover in the morning, in the early afternoon a couple of times a week, I will treat myself to a matcha latte. I have been reading about the benefits of green tea for years, and I have found that it is one of the few teas I can enjoy without honey or another natural sweetener. Imagine my surprise and delight then, to find out that green tea is good for your skin, too! 

Table of Contents:  

• Green Tea or Matcha?  
• 5 Ways Green Tea Is Good for Your Skin 
• Drink and Apply 
• Products Containing Green Tea 

Green Tea or Matcha?  

So what is green tea? You might be surprised to learn that green tea is made from the same leaves used to make black tea and oolong tea. The difference is that green tea is far less processed. For green tea, the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant are steamed, pan-fried, and dried. This process prevents over oxidation of the green tea leaves, preserving both flavor and health benefits. Green tea has been used for centuries by both China and Japan, and studies show it has powerful effects on health for a range of conditions from high blood pressure to diabetes. Matcha, my obsession, is the only tea that uses the ground powder of tea leaves, green tea leaves specifically. Experts say matcha packs even more potent benefits into it than regular green tea because you are not just drinking water that has soaked leaves. Rather, you are imbibing the leaves themselves. To be honest, I just like how it tastes! 

5 Ways Green Tea Is Good for Your Skin 

1. Free Radicals Be Gone! 

The primary reason green tea why we use green tea for skin is the antioxidants inside. Antioxidants are critical for skin protection, especially if you spend a lot of time outside. Free radicals are what damage your skin, and antioxidants, packed into green tea, deactivate those nasty bad guys before they do their dirty work.  

2. Skin Glow

The antioxidants found in green tea do not just kill those free radicals, though. They also contribute to your youthful glow. Studies have shown that regular green tea drinkers tend to have a more youthful appearance, with reduced dullness in the skin. These results could be related to other lifestyle habits, but hey, why not try it out? 

3. Anti-Bacterial 

Green tea also has antibacterial properties, which can help eliminate dirt and grime in your pores. The polyphenols in green tea will fight the bacteria that cause infection and help keep your skin clear.  

4. Caffeine  

Another reason matcha is a favorite afternoon treat is the caffeine! It helps keep me alert while running my kids around! But the caffeine does more than wake you up. It also helps shrink the blood vessels around your eyes. For those of us with puffy eyes or dark circles, green tea is a savior! 

5. Anti Inflammatory 

Those polyphenols in green tea are anti-inflammatory, so if you have blotchy or splotchy skin, green tea is your best friend. The polyphenols in green tea are called catechins, and they reduce swelling, redness, and irritation. As a mom, I need help with all three sometimes.  

Drink and Apply 

Another delight of green tea is that you can both drink it and apply it. You get the health benefits of green tea both ways. So you can drink a cup of green tea and then use the green tea for skin, by placing the tea bags directly on your face. Drinking green tea either loose-leaf, in bags, or in powdered form (matcha), will provide you with long-term benefits as part of a regular tea drinking routine. Ample studies have born out the evidence that green tea, with its anti-inflammatory properties, is an excellent addition to your health regimen, far beyond your skin. You can also find some healthy products on the market today that contain green tea, so you can begin to build a skincare routine that includes this super-powered ingredient. Remember, as always, to check your list of ingredients to be sure it includes no harsh chemicals that will undo the benefits of green tea you seek.  

Products Containing Green Tea 

While I do not always remember to drink my cup of matcha or green tea, and I certainly do not always remember to throw tea bags on my puffy eyes, I do remember my skincare routine every day. The older we get, the more crucial it is to care for our aging skin. And by the older we get, I mean now. Even in your twenties, your skin begins to lose collagen, which is what keeps skin plump and supple. It is critical in this day and age full of harsh sun and free radicals that we seek out and invest in products that will help us care for our precious skin. Green tea may benefit our skin in numerous ways, and the largest organ of your body deserves all the self-care you can give it. Your face will thank you for it.  

Aloe Vera Face Wash 

A lovely product to use for your skincare routine, this aloe vera face wash has green tea and calendula in it, as well as cucumber. Your skin is sure to feel rejuvenated, especially after using the brush that comes with this wash! 

Click the link above to explore the details of the face wash, and while you are there, browse the website for any other skin and hair care products that might suit your needs. I love that this whole line draws on plant-based healing and remedies for your overall wellness and self-care.  

Explore the WOW website for more natural skin care products.