We have all heard numerous theories and beliefs about how green tea is changing our bodies for the better and drinking it helps in weight loss and improves our immunity. This topic is very debatable since some people say that it does nothing much and some people swear by its benefits. Studies have been done to prove the benefits of green tea for skin and hair and they have shown some great results.
We are going to discuss this topic in detail today and touch on all the questions that you might have about green tea and its benefits. The focus of this article would be the main benefits of green tea for skin and hair and how this miracle tea can help you get a clear skin. Before we delve deeper into the topic, let us understand what is green tea exactly and what are its main ingredients.
What is Green Tea?
Green tea is made up from a plant called Camellia Sinensis leaves and there are many varieties of green tea available in the world. The tea originated in China and the basic difference between this tea and other types of teas is that the green tea leaves do not undergo an oxidation process like black teas. The basic ingredients of green tea include:
Green tea ingredients:
The main green tea ingredients include Tannins or Catechins, Caffeine, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin B, potassium, zinc, nickel, calcium, plant pigments, fluorine, and saponins.
Benefits of Green Tea for Skin:
Apart from its numerous health benefits, green tea is very popular among beauty enthusiasts for its effect on the skin. There are so many benefits of green tea for skin but we are going to list down few of the main ones:
1. It repairs the skin and fights skin cancer.
Green tea is a powerhouse of antioxidants which help in DNA repair of the skin cells and works on UV-related damage due to exposure to the sun. if you suffer from any type of skin damage, drinking or applying green tea in some form or the other helps to renew these skin cells and corrects the skin.
2. It has anti-inflammatory properties which reduce swelling and irritation.
The polyphenols present in green tea reduce swelling and have anti-inflammatory properties which reduce skin irritation. These polyphenols are called catechins and reduce redness also. You can leave an extract of green tea on face overnight to soothe your skin after a long day under the sun also to wake up with a fresh and calm skin in the morning.
3. It unclogs pores and treats acne.
Green tea has antibacterial properties which help to reduce the growth of acne-causing bacteria on the skin and clean the pores. It also treats numerous skin infections and gives a smoother and clear look to the skin. You can make a green tea toner for face to clean your facial pores daily without irritating your skin. These are some of the benefits of green tea for skin acne.
4. It improves collagen production in the skin and boosts cell renewal.
Vitamin E present in green tea boosts the collagen production in the skin and helps in cell renewal so your skin always looks fresh and flawless. Green tea also contains vitamin B which along with vitamin E maintains the elasticity of the skin. These vitamins also nourish the skin and hydrate it.
5. It treats puffiness and dark circles.
The caffeine present in the tea helps to shrink the blood vessels so your eyes appear brighter and the under-eye area looks less puffy if you use a green tea-based eye cream. You can even keep used green tea bags on your eyes for a few minutes to get all the benefits without the added mess.
6. It reduces signs of aging.
One of the most beneficial uses of green tea is that it helps to reduce signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles. it contains EGCG which is a powerful anti-aging ingredient. You can use a green tea and honey face mask on the weekends to keep your skin looking young and glowing.
Benefits of Green Tea for Hair:
Green tea is not only beneficial for the skin but also works well for the hair. There are many benefits of green tea for hair and some of these are listed below:
- It promotes hair growth due to the presence of EGCG antioxidant.
- It fights dandruff and keeps bacteria growth under control.
- Regular use of green tea reduces hair loss and nourishes the roots.
- Using a green tea hair mask controls hair odor and strengthens the hair.
Green Tea Hair Mask:
If you are looking for a good green tea hair mask to make your hair look soft and healthy, here is one DIY green tea, egg, and honey hair mask for pampering your tresses at home:
DIY Green Tea hair mask recipe:
- Brew the green tea in hot water for 5-8 minutes. Let the tea bags steep in the water.
- Crack an egg into a bowl and add some honey to the egg mixture.
- Use the steeped green tea to make a smooth paste adding all the three ingredients together.
- Cut open the tea bag and add some of the leaves into the paste.
- Apply this mixture on your hair from roots to ends and leave it for 15-20 minutes before washing it thoroughly with shampoo and conditioner.
Green Tea Side Effects:
Naturally, everything taken in excess can have some side-effects. While this tea is practically harmless, people who have caffeine sensitivity can experience some green tea side effects if they intake or use this tea in excess. Some of the side-effects of green tea include:
- It could cause Insomnia and irritation for people with caffeine sensitivity.
- It can increase blood pressure if taken along with other drugs.
- Green tea and aspirin should not be taken together as they reduce the clotting activity of platelets.
- People who take blood-thinning medicines should avoid green tea as it contains high amounts of vitamin K.
- Pregnant women and women who breastfeed should avoid drinking green tea in excess as it increases blood pressure.
Best Time To Drink Green Tea:
If you are wondering how to make green tea and when to drink green tea to get maximum benefits, this section will guide you and help you take advantage of this super-tea. There are many benefits of green tea for skin, hair, and body and drinking it regularly keeps your heart and body healthy by aiding in weight loss.
For preparing green tea, take a teaspoon of green tea leaves and put them in a strainer. Boil a cup of water and pour it through the strainer in a cup. Let the strainer remain on the cup and allow the leaves to gently steep into the water. After 2-3 minutes, lift the strainer and add some lemon or honey to the tea for enhancing its flavor. You can also make green tea using tea bags.
The best time to drink green tea is after a meal or in between meals and it should not be consumed on an empty stomach. Sipping it gently is recommended if you are wondering how to drink green tea.
So this was our detailed guide on some of the main benefits of green tea for skin and hair. Hope you enjoyed reading it. Do you use or drink green tea on a regular basis? How is your experience with this tea?
I prefer using it in skin care for acne, u can’t tolerate it’s taste ?
Very nice and informative post. I love having green tea. And I find it helps in detoxifying the body and also aids in weight loss…