Japanese green tea is one of the best options for your skin health. It’s also excellent for your overall health. Here’s a look at all you need to know to make sure you use it in just the right way.
The Science Behind Japanese Green Tea
Before looking into how to use it, here’s a look at why it’s so beneficial. The first point to note is that it is excellent for hydrating the body. With the body hydrated, the skin will be too. This helps to keep it smooth and flexible.
The main benefit is in the detoxification benefits of drinking the green tea. The liquid will help to remove toxins from the body, which improves the overall health and definitely boosts the skin health. By removing the toxins out of the body, the skin will be acne and blemish free. Removing the toxins also helps to improve the complexion.
Green tea also contains antioxidants catechins. These have anti-bacterial properties, which helps to improve the immune system’s capabilities. Bacterial infections, including skin infections, are healed. (Read more about Catechins in green tea in my other article.)
These same antioxidants also help with inflammation reduction. The skin won’t be as red, with various ailments improving faster. Acne is improved and reduced, while scars heal much quicker.
There are also compounds that help with the rejuvenation of the skin. The compounds reactivate the skin cells, helping to promote healing and softness. Not only will you have better looking skin, but you can also help to limit and reverse some of the damage caused by pollution and the sun. It could also be possible to reduce the risks of cancer. (Read more about topic on my another article - How to Fight Against Anti-Aging by Consuming Japanese Green Tea Daily)
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Don’t Just Drink the Green Tea for Your Skin Health
While you can drink the Japanese green tea to get all the health benefits, this isn’t the only option. You can also gain them through making face masks with your green tea.
For the mask, just mix a tablespoon of leaves with 3 tablespoons of yogurt. Full fat yogurt works best for this need. Place on your face for around 20 minutes to help the nutrients work straight with the layers of the skin. You’ll find that the nutrients get right into the cells and middle and lower layers to improve the collagen production and repair cell damage.
Another option is to make a facial rub to cleanse the face. Take a tablespoon of ground tea leaves with some honey. Make a thick paste that you can apply directly to the skin and then leave it for around 15 minutes. The honey will add more vitamin C directly to your skin for extra healing. When removing the honey, rub in a circular motion to work the tea leaves into your skin and remove the dead layers.
When dealing with sunburn, make a pot of green tea and place in the fridge to cool. Use cloths and soak them in the tea. Apply them directly to the sunburned areas for both soothing and healing.
Drinking Japanese green tea isn’t just a benefit. You can gain various skin health benefits by applying the tea direct.
DIY Beauty Products Made With Green Tea
Green tea may be thousands of years old, but it’s the latest superhero skin-care ingredient – and for good reason. Dermatologists such as NYC’s Joshua Zeichner rave about its antioxidant properties, specifically catechin polyphenols, which mop up environmental free-radical damage. Numerous studies have revealed the powerful beauty-enhancing effects of green tea, but it’s not just about brewing up and enjoying a calming cup – it can also be used to great effect in your daily skincare regime.
Reduces Puffy Eyes and Dark Circles
Don’t throw away your used green tea bags! Cool them in the fridge and then lie down for 15 minutes or so with them on your eyelids. The antioxidants and tannins in the tea will work wonders with dark circles and puffy eyes. They act by shrinking the blood vessels underneath the delicate skin around the eyes, which takes down swelling and puffiness. What’s more, the vitamin K contained in green tea helps lighten any dark circles you might have under your eyes.
Green Tea Steam Facial
Green tea leaves can make a wonderful steam facial. The green tea-infused steam gives your skin a powerful hit of antioxidants, which go to battle with free radicals. The steam also helps soothe sensitive skin, detoxify your pores and keep your skin hydrated. It smells wonderful too – helping you to relax while you let the steam do its work.
It’s easy to do. All you need to do is put the kettle on, pour some boiling water into a large bowl with a couple of bags (or some loose) green tea, and cover to allow it to infuse for a little while. Give your face a gentle cleanse and then put a towel over your head to trap the steam in the bowl and stay there for 10 minutes or so. When you’re done, just rinse with cold water. Apparently supermodel Miranda Kerr does this regularly and if it’s good enough for her.
Make a Skin Toner
It’s equally simple to make a green tea toner, which can harness the anti-inflammatory and DNA mending capabilities of its polyphenols. Green tea also helps balance hormonal levels, which is very helpful in the fight against spots (not something that only affects the young).
To make the most straightforward type, just add a green tea bag – or a couple of tablespoons of loose leaves– to a cup of boiling water and allow it to steep for about 5 minutes. Then remove the bag (or strain the liquid), transfer into an airtight receptacle and keep cool. Then just use it as you would any other toner – morning and evening after cleansing. It will stay fresh for about 4 days in the refrigerator.
You can jazz the toner up a bit by adding some lemon juice, honey, vitamin E oil, witch hazel, and baking soda. The honey is anti-aging, the lemon juice helps brighten skin tone, the witch hazel aids cleansing, and the vitamin E can heal sun damage. The baking soda not only helps soothe irritated skin but also acts as an exfoliator. Thanks to the baking soda and witch hazel, this toner will also keep for longer – about 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Green tea drinkers know that age is just a number. Who doesn’t want to keep skin looking youthful and plump? There are so many ways your skin will benefit from green tea, whether you simply drink it (delicious hot or cold) or knock up your own DIY skin product – certainly an inexpensive way to treat yourself. Put on the kettle, enjoy your brew of choice, and let your skin’s beauty speak for itself.
Part of this article was originally published on T-Ching, where my work is featured
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About the author
Kei Nishida
Author, CEO Dream of Japan
Certification: PMP, BS in Computer Science
Education: Western Washington University
Kei Nishida is a Japanese green tea enthusiast, a writer, and the founder and CEO of Japanese Green Tea Co., a Dream of Japan Company. His passion for introducing America to the tea of his homeland was the catalyst for creating the only company that brings high-quality tea from Arahataen Green Tea Farms to the rest of the world. Learn more about Kei
