You might start your mornings with a warm cup of green tea or rely on a midday matcha for a quick pick-me-up, but if you're not already applying the natural ingredient topically, it's time you make some changes to your skin routine. Known for its anti-aging, soothing, and antioxidant properties, it's no wonder green tea is popping up in more and more beauty products, including in wrinkle-reducing eye creams, face washes, and sunscreens. To find out exactly how it works, who should use it, and ways to incorporate it into your regimen, we turned to the experts.
Meet the Expert
- Christine Choi Kim, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles.
- Michele Green, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Manhattan.
Keep reading for everything you need to know about green tea and why your skin will love it as much as your taste buds do.
Green Tea
Type of ingredient: Antioxidant.
Main benefits: Soothes and protects the skin, reduces sebum, and minimizes signs of aging.
Who should use it: In general, green tea is suitable for almost all skin types unless you have a known hypersensitivity to it, according to Kim.
How often can you use it: Green says not only is it safe to consumegreenteadaily, but it's also safe to use in your daily skincare routine.
Works well with: According to Kim, green tea is best used in combination with other antioxidants because they work synergistically."Vitamin C helps to reduce degradation of Epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG, and in turn, EGCG can enhance the antioxidant effect of both Vitamins C and E," Kim explains. "There may also be enhanced skin penetration when EGCG is added to hyaluronic acid because of the latter’s strongly hydrating properties."
Don't use with: According to Kim, there are no products you must avoid when using green tea topically.
What Is Green Tea?
Green tea is a botanical derived from the leaves and buds of the tea plant Camellia sinensis.Kim explains that the active components of green tea are polyphenols (also called catechins) that are believed to benefit the skin due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. EGCG is the best-studied catechin and is used both orally and topically for its many potential health benefits. Greentea also contains caffeine and tannins, which work by shrinking blood vessels and decreasing puffiness, according to Green.
A bit of an overachiever, green tea is both protective and corrective and available in a wide range of formulations, such as cleansers, serums, moisturizers, and masks. Green says the catechins are found in the highest concentrations in fresh leaves, while Kim points out that there is a lack of standardization regarding minimal concentrations of the active polyphenol content of skincare formulations.
Kim says, as with many topical antioxidants, green tea is challenging to formulate because it is highly unstable and is easily oxidized when exposed to ambient light, and EGCG is unstable at higher temperatures and at basic pH values. Green stresses the importance of howgreentea is sourced and stored (a cool, dry place is best) to maintain the maximum efficacy of the phytochemicals, which are the powerhouse of the product.
Benefits of Green Tea for Skin
"Due to its multifaceted nature, green tea has been studied as a treatment for a variety of dermatological conditions, such as acne, rosacea, psoriasis, viral warts, and even skin cancer," Kim explains. Below are the main ways green tea can improve the skin.
- Protects the skin: As an antioxidant that scavenges free radicals caused by environmental stressors like UV radiation and pollution, Kim says it's a logical choice to add to any anti-aging skin care regimen to protect the skin. Green adds that EGCG can fight off DNA damage in skin cells by promoting DNA repair.
- Minimizes signs of aging: Kim says green tea can reduce the signs of sun damage, such as hyperpigmentation, rough texture, and fine lines.
- Reduces excess sebum: Its ability to reduce sebum coupled with its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties makes the ingredient suitable for patients suffering from acne and those with oily complexions, according to Kim.
- Soothes the skin: Green says thatgreentea can reduce inflammation in skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and dandruff.
Side Effects of Green Tea
According to Kim, green tea has no known side effects, provided you do not have an allergy to it. "It is truly suitable for most all skin types unless you have a known hypersensitivity to green tea," Kim explains. "Some people who have very dry or compromised skin may need to proceed with caution."
How to Use It
The best way to use green tea as a part of your daily routine depends on the product at hand. Overall, Kim says the best skincare regimens cleanse, protect, correct, and hydrate, and she stresses the importance of using a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher every morning after your antioxidant and moisturizer. She also recommends using green tea combined with other antioxidants, which work together synergistically.
Applying vs Drinking Green Tea
According to Kim, a direct study comparing the topical vs. oral green tea benefits for the skin, specifically, has not been performed, but she does point out that the hydrophilic (water-loving) nature of EGCG limits its penetration in human skin.
Green says green tea is safe to use in your skincare products and consume daily. However, she says several ingredients should be avoided when consuminggreentea internally, such as quinolone antibiotics, some birth control pills, anticoagulants, some antidepressants, phenylpropanolamine, amphetamines, and any medication that can cause liver damage. Consult your doctor to discuss any potential concerns.
FAQ
Can green tea improve skin?
Yes. Green tea has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains caffeine and tannins, which work by shrinking blood vessels and decreasing puffiness, according to Green.
Which skin type is green tea good for?
In general, green tea is suitable for almost all skin types unless you have a known hypersensitivity to it, according to Kim.
How often should you use green tea in skincare?
You can use it daily.
Tea Rinses for Hair: Benefits and How to Use It
I am Christine Choi Kim, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles, and I am here to provide comprehensive insights into the benefits and applications of green tea for skincare. My expertise in dermatology, coupled with a deep understanding of the properties of green tea, positions me as a reliable source for guiding you through the world of skincare enriched with this natural ingredient.
Firstly, let's delve into the key concepts mentioned in the article:
Green Tea:
- Type of Ingredient: Antioxidant.
- Main Benefits: Green tea soothes and protects the skin, reduces sebum, and minimizes signs of aging.
- Suitability: In general, green tea is suitable for almost all skin types unless there's a known hypersensitivity.
- Frequency of Use: Safe for daily use in both consumption and skincare routines.
Works Well With:
- Combining green tea with other antioxidants is recommended for synergistic effects.
- Vitamin C, when used with green tea, helps reduce the degradation of Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), enhancing the antioxidant effect.
- Addition of EGCG to hyaluronic acid may enhance skin penetration due to the latter's hydrating properties.
Avoid Using With:
- There are no specific products to avoid when using green tea topically.
What Is Green Tea?
- Green tea is derived from the leaves and buds of the tea plant Camellia sinensis.
- Active components: Polyphenols (catechins), with EGCG being the best-studied catechin.
- Additional components: Caffeine and tannins contribute to shrinking blood vessels and decreasing puffiness.
Challenges in Formulation:
- Green tea is challenging to formulate due to its high instability and susceptibility to oxidation when exposed to light.
- EGCG is unstable at higher temperatures and basic pH values.
- Sourcing and storage are crucial for maintaining maximum efficacy.
Benefits of Green Tea for Skin:
- Protects the skin: Acts as an antioxidant, scavenging free radicals caused by UV radiation and pollution.
- Minimizes signs of aging: Reduces hyperpigmentation, rough texture, and fine lines resulting from sun damage.
- Reduces excess sebum: Suitable for acne-prone and oily skin due to its sebum-reducing, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties.
- Soothes the skin: Green tea can alleviate inflammation in conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and dandruff.
Side Effects:
- No known side effects, except for individuals with a hypersensitivity or very dry, compromised skin who may need to proceed with caution.
How to Use It:
- Incorporate green tea into your daily skincare routine, emphasizing cleansing, protection, correction, and hydration.
- Combine green tea with other antioxidants for optimal results.
- Use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) every morning after applying antioxidant and moisturizer.
Applying vs. Drinking Green Tea:
- While a direct study comparing topical vs. oral benefits hasn't been conducted, the hydrophilic nature of EGCG limits its penetration in human skin.
- Green tea is safe for both skincare and daily consumption. However, some medications may interact when consumed internally, so consult a doctor for potential concerns.
With this in-depth knowledge, you can confidently embrace green tea as a versatile and beneficial addition to your skincare routine. If you have any further questions or concerns, feel free to ask.
