Green tea is extracted from the plant Camellia sinensis. It is the same plant from which all the other teas such as the black tea, oolong tea, and white tea are extracted.
It is the preparation of these teas that makes them different from each other in taste and fragrance. To prepare the green tea extract, the fresh leaves of the plant are steamed and then dried. All this process must be a quick one to prevent oxidation of the leaves.
Green tea is loaded with antioxidants, and these antioxidants can prevent any damage caused to the body and the skin by free radicals. However, the antioxidants alone cannot prevent the breakout of acne.
Green tea is also abundant source catechin—a type of polyphenols. These compounds can be found in plants, and their anti-inflammatory properties can provide many health benefits. Interestingly, the catechins found in green tea also prove to be an effective remedy against skin inflammation.
Did You Know?
- Consumption and application of green tea on the skin can repair the DNA and also fight cancer. Green tea carries EGCG, which is an antioxidant that resists damage caused by UV rays.
- Green tea is loaded with Vitamins B2 and E. While Vitamin B12 maintains the collagen levels of the skin, Vitamin B promotes new growth of the skin cells. Together, they boost the nourishment level of the skin and thus, providing it a soft texture and maintaining its youth.
Is Green Tea Good for Acne?
A study that was published in the 2016 issue of Complementary Therapies in Medicine showed how the consumption of green tea extract reduced the inflammatory breakouts on the skin.
The participants, who were all adult females, were divided into a group of two. The first group of females was given decaffeinated green tea extract supplements, and the second group was assigned a placebo supplement.
As a result, it was seen that the group who took green tea extracts had less inflammatory breakouts. However, it was also noted that the green tea extract did not remove the acne altogether.
Also, no significant difference was seen in the overall breakouts of the participants of the two groups.
This would mean that the green tea supplements can make the already existing acne less inflamed, especially the ones around the nose, chin, and mouth area.
[Also Read: Natural Treatments for Acne]
Interesting Facts about Green Tea
- Green tea for acne is just one of the many benefits that green tea has. Like, when you take a cup of green tea after a long tiring day, it can help you relax your body. It is loaded with amino acid L-Theanine (γ-glutamylethylamide), which relaxes the complete nervous system.
- Pregnant and nursing females should restrict their consumption of green tea to two 8-ounce glasses in a day.
- Green tea does not go under a fermentation process, and thus, it is the least processed type of tea.
Green tea has Antibacterial Properties In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, green tea has some antibacterial properties too. Its antibacterial qualities give some advantageous benefits against fighting common bacteria that can cause acne breakouts. These bacteria include propionibacteria(1) acnes and propionibacteria granulosum, and staph.
[Also Read: Essential Herbs to Treat Acne]
Drinking Green Tea for Acne
Hormonal changes or imbalance can trigger acne breakouts. This is why women, and even men, for that matter, experience an extreme acne breakout during their puberty years. Does green tea help acne? Yes, drinking green tea(2) for acne can prove to be very useful in controlling breakouts induced by hormonal changes.
Green tea contains EGCG, an antioxidant that can bring down the androgen levels in the body. EGCG is also believed to block IGF-1 in the body. A high IGF-1 level can make the sebaceous glands secrete more oil. This can further lead to inflammation of the skin and more clogged pores.
[Also Read: Coconut Oil for Acne]
Green Tea Mask for Acne
To prevent acne breakouts and to have clearer skin, you try the following green tea masks:
Plain Green Tea Mask
- Mix one tablespoon of green tea with a few drops of water. Keep mixing till you reach a buttery consistency.
- Now use the mixture to scrub your face, concentrating more on the problem areas.
- Let it dry for 5-7 minutes before rinsing it off with cold water.
- This easy DIY mask will be useful in reducing skin inflammation, wrinkles, and fine lines.
Sweet and Sour Green Tea Mask
- Take two tablespoons of green tea and bring it to boil using water. Let the liquid cool down for at least an hour.
- Using a sieve, filter out the leaves and add sugar and lemon juice to the water.
- Apply this mixture on your face in a circular motion while targeting problem areas.
- Let it stay for 15 minutes before washing it off with cold water.
[Also Read: Natural Remedies for Scars]
Although there is still room for more research that can throw light on the use and benefits of green tea for acne, you can always swap your other caffeinated beverages with a cup of green tea to enjoy its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities.
Also, adding some natural DIY green tea masks to your regular skincare regime can give a boost to the overall health of your skin. Green tea might not be a stand-alone treatment for acne, but its medicinal properties can prevent further breakouts and even treat the existing blemishes to a large extent.
