Benefits Of Green Tea For Acne & Ways To Use It

Have you ever tried green tea-based remedies to deal with your acne issues? If not, then it's high time you include this wonder herb in your skincare regimen to resolve chronic acne issues.

Green tea contains polyphenols rich in anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and antioxidant properties that help to resolve your acne effectively when used the right way.

In this article, we tell you how green tea helps to fight acne issues and what are the most effective ways to use it.

Our Ayurvedic Doctor Speaks

“Green tea is a Kashaya rasa (Astringent) food according to Ayurveda. Astringent foods reduce the inflammatory and oily qualities of Pitta and sluggish congestions of Kapha. This makes it ideal for use in Pitta-Kapha dominant problems like acne.”

Dr. Zeel Gandhi (Bachelor of Ayurveda, Medicine & Surgery), Chief Ayurvedic Doctor, Vedix

Highlights:

• What Is Green Tea?
• Does Green Tea Help Treat Acne?
• How To Use Green Tea For Acne?
• 6 Green Tea Benefits For Skin
• Should You Drink Green Tea On An Empty Stomach?

What Is Green Tea?

Green tea originated in China. It is harvested from the same plant, Camellia sinensis [1], from which we also obtain black tea.

After harvesting, the leaves and buds from Camellia sinensis undergo steaming, pan firing, or drying processes to prevent oxidation. These un-oxidized extracts of the plant are called 'green tea', which gives green, light brown or yellow color when brewed. You can purchase green tea either in the form of loose leaves or packed tea bags.

“Green tea is a Kashaya rasa (Astringent) food, according to Ayurveda. Astringent foods reduce the inflammatory and oily qualities of Pitta and sluggish congestions of Kapha. This makes it ideal for use in Pitta-Kapha dominant problems like acne. Although not listed in the traditional Indian pharmacopeia, Green tea is approved for use by most Ayurvedic traditional practitioners,” says Dr. Zeel Gandhi, Chief Ayurvedic Doctor at Vedix.

Does Green Tea Help Treat Acne?

The catechins such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) [2] present in green tea have powerful antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, which help your skin tremendously to fight acne lesions.

“Acne is caused when your skin pores are clogged with excess sebum and dead skin. Green tea helps to control the sebum production in the skin, thus, preventing acne breakouts,” says Dr. Zeel.

Research studies found that the polyphenols present in green tea help in preventing the sebaceous glands from secreting excess oil or sebum.

A clinical review of treatment options for oily skin suggested that the use of green tea extracts topically helps in reducing oil production in the skin within 60 days.

A dermatological review has shown that green tea helps to deal with numerous skin conditions, including acne.

Also, Studies conducted by Taiwan scientists found that EGCG has a significant role in controlling acne in post-adolescent females while the green tea supplements helped in controlling the inflammation of acne lesions around the chin, mouth, and nose.

How To Use Green Tea For Acne?

1. Green Tea Mask For Acne

Soak 1-2 spoons of green tea leaves in a small cup of warm water for 5 minutes. Strain the water and add a spoon of honey or aloe vera gel to the leaves. Blend the ingredients into a fine paste and apply it as a face pack. After half an hour, wash it off with normal water. Repeat it twice a week.

2. Green Tea Facial Spritz

Add a spoon of green tea leaves to a cup of hot water. Let the leaves soak for 5-10 minutes and strain the tea into another bowl. Now, add 1-2 ice cubes to the tea and pour it into a spray bottle. Now, spray the green tea onto your clean skin and leave it for half an hour before washing.

3. Drinking Green Tea

Let 2 cups of water boil until it becomes half and switch off the stove. Add a spoon of green tea leaves into the hot water and close the lid. After 5-10 minutes, strain the leaves and a spoon of honey and lemon each to your green tea. Serve it warm twice a day.

4. Green Tea Supplements

You can try using green tea or EGCG supplements in the form of tablets, extracts, or powders.

Dr. Zeel recommends taking green tea supplements in dosages between 250-500 mg per day.

Important Note:

Remember that ingesting green tea in high amounts daily (i.e 800 mg or more) can adversely affect your liver [3].

5. Green Tea + Apple Cider Vinegar Facial Toner For Acne

Brew 3/4th cup of green tea and let it cool down completely. Add 1/4th cup of apple cider vinegar to it and mix the ingredients well. Now, pour the mixture into a glass jar and use it as a facial toner twice a day after your face wash.

6. Green Tea + Tea Tree Oil For Acne

Add 3-4 drops of tea tree oil to half a cup of cool green tea. Wash your face and pat dry with a clean towel. Now, apply the green tea and tea tree oil mixture to your face gently using a cotton ball. Leave it for drying and apply a moisturizer. Repeat it twice a day.

7. Green Tea + Lemon Juice For Acne

Add a spoon of lemon juice to 1/4th cup of cool green tea. Mix the ingredients well and apply the mixture to your clean face using a cotton pad. Leave it to dry and then apply a moisturizer. Repeat it twice a day.

Vedix Tip: Make sure you always pick a fresh pack of green tea as the shelf life for the herb is only that of 6 months. The freshness and medicinal values of green tea diminish as time passes.

6 Green Tea Benefits For Skin

1. Controls Skin Inflammation

Green tea is a rich source of polyphenols [4] called catechins, which help in controlling swelling, redness, itchiness, and irritation caused by different skin ailments such as dermatitis, psoriasis, rosacea, etc. Also, it helps in soothing your skin from sunburns, minor cuts, etc.

2. Clears Clogged Pores

Dead skin cells can clog your skin pores, leading to the formation of different types of acne. Green tea helps to eliminate the built-up dead skin from your clogged pores and lets your skin breathe.

3. Exfoliates Gently

Green tea can be used as a gentle exfoliator for your skin. It not only helps in clearing off the dead skin, sebum, and other toxins from your pores but also promotes the regeneration of new skin cells while enhancing your natural skin glow.

4. Hydrates Your Skin

The vitamin E present in green tea helps to nourish and hydrate your skin tremendously. Also, it helps to repair your damaged skin and lighten up the dark spots.

5. Reverses Premature Ageing

The antioxidant-rich green tea is the best treatment to fight the free radical damage in your skin, thus, reversing premature aging [5]. While green tea helps in rebuilding the damaged skin cells, it also boosts the elasticity and firmness of your skin.

6. Controls Sebum Production

Green tea is a boon for people with oily skin as it helps in controlling the production of excessive sebum. It contains biomolecules that mix with your body's amino acids and regulate the sebum production in your skin.

Should You Drink Green Tea On An Empty Stomach?

No. Green tea contains caffeine and beginning your day with a caffeine dose may adversely affect your gut balance. Hence, it is better to drink a glass of warm lemon water with added honey first thing in the morning, and then have a cup of green tea an hour later.

Important Note:

Seek medical help immediately if you notice any unusual symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, or diarrhea after consuming green tea.

The Last Word

No matter whether you consume it orally or apply it topically, green tea is one of the powerful ingredients to fight acne. It also helps to boost your overall immunity with the richness of antioxidants. However, if your acne does not seem to heal even after using the home remedies regularly, then consult your dermatologist.

At Vedix, we customize an Ayurvedic skincare regimen for you based on your unique skin type and its needs.