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.
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]
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.
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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]
To prevent acne breakouts and to have clearer skin, you try the following green tea masks:
[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.