Green Tea's Benefits for Your Skin

 Some have proclaimed it a miracle worker for all aliments from headaches, depression, infections, and poor digestion to repairing the immune system. A traditional Chinese herbal remedy, green tea- from the plant Camellia sinesis- has been used medicinally for over 4,000 years. Indeed the Chinese proverb says it all: "Better to be deprived of food for three days, than tea for one." Today, research suggests that green tea is beneficial for preventing and repairing skin conditions.

Green Tea and Skin

Green tea may be especially valuable as an acne treatment. In fact, a study in 2003 conducted by Jennifer Gan-Wong, M.D., suggested that green tea extract cream is just as effective as benzoyl peroxide cream, minus the irritating side effects. Often applied to the skin in the form of creams and gels, benzoyl peroxide acts as both a drying and a peeling agent. The good news is it allows the outer layers of skin to renew themselves and clear pores, reducing much of the bacteria responsible for bacterium acne breakouts. The bad news: If you also have sensitive skin, benzoyl peroxide can cause additional skin irritations like redness, burning, and swelling. But green tea has none of these side effects.

Green tea may also prevent acne. Here’s how it works: With its natural anti-bacterial properties, green tea reduces hormonal activity, and you can blame your unbalanced hormones for those unflattering blemishes. When hormones are unbalanced – during puberty, pregnancy or menopause – they generate excess oil. With an overload of oil, your hair follicles are clogged and bacteria happily grow, thus causing acne. If green tea decreases your raging hormones, it may prevent acne.

According to a review article on green tea and skin from the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, when used topically, green tea may help with the healing process of the epidermis, possibly treating skin conditions like psoriasis.

Green tea is also thought to contain protective qualities against the sun. It may be therapeutically beneficial against sunburns by specifically protecting the skin against UVB rays, according to Tsung O. Cheng, Professor of Medicine at George Washington University. Basically, it is believed that ECGC in green tea shields against carcinogenesis caused by exposure to UVB; thereby, preventing UV radiation-induced DNA damage. This may also protect against skin cancer. But more research is needed to confirm green tea’s many benefits.

The Key is in the Ingredients

Just why is green tea so effective? For starters, green tea contains naturally occurring anti-bacterial properties and is also rich in flavonoids, which are known for their antioxidant properties. Green tea also contains exceptionally high levels of polyphenols and epigallocatechin gallate, or ECGC. ECGC seems to be the most important of these antioxidant properties and is more potent than vitamin E. ECGC is also more effective for fighting the free radicals that damage our skin.

Incorporating Green Tea into Your Routine

One obvious way of using green tea is by incorporating it into your diet. For the ultimate benefits, steam unfermented green tea leaves rather than using a tea bag. Making tea from the unfermented leaves produces the most potent and the least processed form of green tea. For acne, you can add honeysuckle and turn a cup of green tea into “Pimple Tea,” a highly revered drink by the Chinese. Essentially, “Pimple Tea” detoxifies the body from the inside out. Meanwhile, if you prefer a topical agent, green tea can also be applied externally using a green tea cream.

To treat a sunburn, for best results brew a pot of green tea, using the leaves if possible, strain the brew, chill the tea, and then soak the tea into a soft cloth to create a green tea compress.

Nowadays green tea is also offered in capsule form, typically in the supplement aisle. Always consult with your physician, however, before taking any supplements, as they can interact with medications you’re already taking.

Is Decaf Just as Beneficial?

According to Dr. Weil’s website, it is important to know specifically how green tea was decaffeinated. For instance, one method uses solvent ethyl acetate, which retains just 30% of polyphenols – which holds the benefits. By using, “effervescence,” a natural process with water and carbon dioxide, 95% of the polyphenols is preserved. So, the key is in the process. Information about the type of process used should appear on the label. If not, simply contact the manufacturer.

Green Tea Isn’t Helpful for Everyone

Drinking green tea isn’t ideal for everyone. That is, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, green tea can interact with some medications. It is important to receive the okay from your physician before taking green tea, whether in drinking or capsule form. Because green tea contains caffeine, it acts as a stimulant. So, if you have certain conditions, be cautious about having green tea. For instance, if you’re pregnant, have cardiovascular or anxiety concerns, choose decaffeinated green tea or topical treatments instead.