When it comes to skincare, green tea is one of the most versatile and beneficial ingredients to have stocked up in your kitchen. Rich in antioxidants, it fights several skin conditions from acne to premature aging and from oily skin to hyper-pigmentation. So next time you’re brewing yourself a cup to drink the benefits, consider some of the following other ways too to make the most of the leaves!
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Green tea anti-aging cleanser
Green tea is an excellent cleanser for all skin types, even sensitive skin. It is also effective in anti-aging as it treats dryness, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation – the most common signs of premature aging. Rich in catechins, it neutralizes free radicals that cause oxidation and skin damage.
Use a green tea incorporated soap, add the leaves to your daily cleanser or simply make yourself one! Take 1tbsp matcha green tea and mix in 1 1/2tbsp honey in it to make a thick paste. You could also break open a green tea bag after it has steeped in hot water for 5-10 minutes.
Apply the mix on the face and leave it on for 15 minutes. Massage gently for 2-3 minutes to activate the skin cells and rinse with warm water. Green tea rids the skin of dust, dirt, excess oil and dead skin cells without leaving it dry and dehydrated.
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Green tea skin-calming toner
Green tea has mild astringent properties that deep cleanse clogged pores to clear up the skin and even out the tone. It is also rich in anti-inflammatories that calm the skin and prevent irritation. Additionally, green tea has antimicrobial properties so it protects the skin from harmful bacterial invasions.
Take ½ cup of boiling water, dip in a green tea bag and let it steep for 10-20 minutes. Once the brew is cool, mix in ½ cup rose water. Rose water compliments and enhances the effects of green tea. Apply this mix on the face and neck with a soft cotton ball after cleansing.
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Green tea steam pore-cleanser
Another way to effectively cleanse clogged pores with green tea is to give yourself a face steam with green tea leaves.
Take a wide bowl with boiling water and break open a green tea bag into it. Cover the bowl and let the tea steep for 2 minutes. Lean your head over the bowl and cover them both with a towel to trap the steam.
Let your face enjoy this sauna-like experience for 7-10 minutes till the water cools down. This will leave your pores open. Wipe out the dirt and grime from the pores gently with a face towel. Follow with a mild cleanser and moisturizer.
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Green tea anti-aging sheet mask
Wrinkles are one of the first signs of premature aging and if targeted early on, you can definitely prevent them. If you often wonder how to get rid of wrinkles, a green tea mask is your answer. This is a very simple, no-hassle anti-aging face mask you can use every day to treat your skin to the benefits of green tea.
Make a ½ cup of green tea brew and pour it into a tray. Lay in a rice paper and let it soak in the green tea for about 1-2 minutes. Pick up the paper, place it over your face and leave it on for 20 minutes. Follow with a moisturizer.
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Green tea skin brightening face mask
Green tea also works as an exfoliator to slough off dead skin cells to remove dullness. When coupled with yoghurt, it makes for an excellent nourishing face mask to rejuvenate and brighten the skin. Green tea also fights dark spots and fades scars to give back your natural skin tone.
Let a green tea bag steep in hot water for 5 minutes. Break open the bag in a bowl and mix in 1tbsp of full-fat yoghurt. Apply this mix on the face and neck and leave it on for 20 minutes till it dries. With some warm water, scrub the mask off with your fingers and rinse thoroughly.
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Green tea for eye bags
If you have morning puffiness or eye bags around your eyes, here’s a simple green tea solution for it. When you drink your green tea, instead of throwing away the bag, freeze it. Place this frozen bag under your eyes the next morning and gently press it on the skin. Leave it on for about 15-20 minutes till the swelling resides.
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Green tea moisturizing cream
Green tea is rich in vitamin E which nourishes and hydrates the skin. It not only moisturizes the skin effectively but also protects it from the external damage of UV radiation and harmful bacteria.
Heat 1 cup of coconut oil in a double boiler and when the oil melts, add 2tbsp green tea leaves. Let the mix simmer at low heat for about 40 minutes, stirring every once in a while. A double boiler is essential to let the oil heat evenly without burning while allowing antioxidants from green tea to become infused with it.
Turn off the heat and let the mix cool. Strain out the leaves with a cheesecloth and pour out the infused oil in a bowl. Refrigerate it for 2 hours. Next, whip the frozen oil with a hand blender to get a frothy, creamy consistency.
Your moisturizer is ready. Transfer it to a glass jar and apply it on dry skin, especially after cleansing. Store the cream in the fridge if you live in a warm climate.
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Green tea for sunburns
Green tea’s antioxidant action works especially against damages from UV radiation to stimulate skin repair and rejuvenation. Add in aloe gel to further calm and soothe the skin.
Take out the leaves from a used bag and mix in 2tbsp of fresh aloe gel. Apply this mix on sun-burnt skin and leave it on for an hour. You can also leave it overnight, simply rinse and moisturize after.
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Green tea skin tightening ice rub
Green tea also tightens the skin by encouraging collagen production in the skin cells. Simply freeze your green tea brew in an ice tray and rub the ice cubes on the face and neck after cleansing. This is also an excellent pre-makeup tip to prevent pore-clogging and making the skin look younger and tighter.
