GO GREEN: BEAUTY BENEFITS OF GREEN TEA FOR SKIN AND HAIR

Green tea is known to be the healthiest beverage on the planet. It contains a high content of antioxidants, enzymes, amino acids and phytochemicals like polyphenols as well as B-complex vitamins, folate, manganese, potassium, magnesium and caffeine that have powerful effects on the whole body including improving brain function, boosting weight loss, lowering the risk of cancer… Additionally, green tea has impressive benefits on skin and hair.

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Tip: To reap most out of your green tea cup, you should brew it from the loose tea leaves instead of convenient tea bags.

Drinking green tea regularly provides a glowing and acne-free skin.

Improve skin complexion

Green tea helps flush out accumulated toxins from your skin, heals blemishes and scars and reduces inflammation or even improves the skin’s elasticity. A study conducted in 2003 by the Medical College of Georgia found that green tea aids skin rejuvenation and treats skin diseases and wounds.

Steps to make green tea mask:

1. Cut open 2 used green tea bags and take out the content.
2. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey.
3. Add a little lemon juice.
4. Mix them well, apply the mixture onto your face and leave it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse it off with lukewarm water. Use this mask once to twice a week.

Reduce puffy eyes and dark circles

Antioxidants and tannins present in green tea can treat puffy eyes as well as dark circles by shrinking blood vessels underneath the delicate skin around your eyes. Moreover, vitamin K in green tea helps lighten dark circles under the eyes.

How:

1. Keep 2 used green tea bags in the fridge for 30 minutes.
2. Put the cold tea bags on your closed eyelids.
3. Relax for 15 minutes.
4. Use this method twice daily until you get your desired result.

Fight aging signs

Green tea has anti-aging and antioxidant properties that help delay signs of skin aging like saggy skin, sun damage, age spots and wrinkles. Green tea contains polyphenols helping neutralize harmful free radicals- the cause of significant damage to the skin and rapid aging process. In addition, it helps in skin cancer prevention.

How:

Mix 3 teaspoons of plain yogurt, 1 teaspoon of ground green tea leaves and a pinch of turmeric powder. Apply the mixture onto your face and neck and leave it for 20 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Use this mask once to twice per week.

Treat acne and pimples

Anti-bacterial agents called catechins in green tea help fight acne-causing bacteria and regulate hormonal imbalances in your body- one of the causes of acne. Furthermore, green tea has anti-inflammatory properties helping reduce the redness and inflammation caused by acne.

How:

1. Mix ¼ cup each of freshly brewed green tea and water.
2. Apply this solution on the affected area by using a cotton ball.
3. Allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse it off with cool water.
4. Use this twice a day until you are satisfied with the result.

Act as a skin toner

Green tea helps draw out impurities, reduces large pores and gives the skin a healthy glow. It even keeps the skin hydrated- the key for a healthy skin.

How:

1. Brew 2 cups of green tea and leave it cool.
2. Add a few drops of any essential oil.
3. Put the solution in a clean spray bottle.
4. Spray the solution on your face or use a cotton pad to apply it twice a day.

Exfoliate skin

The slightly rough texture of dry green tea leaves helps exfoliate the skin to remove dead skin cells, dirt and other impurities.

How:

Mix 1 teaspoon of dried green tea, 1 cup of sugar, half a cup of extra-virgin olive oil and 2 teaspoons of raw honey together. Gently rub the scrub on your face or body in circular motions. Rinse it off with warm water. Use this scrub once or twice a week.

Stimulate hair growth

Green tea contains catechins which have 5-alpha-reductase inhibiting properties that can block Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), one of the key causes of hair loss. It can also promote the growth of new hair and prevent common hair problems such as dry scalp and dandruff. A study showed that the polyphenols in green tea helped prevent hair loss among rodents.

How:

1. After washing your hair, rinse it off with cool, brewed green tea. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes and then rinse off with cool water. Do this twice to three times a week for a couple of months.
2. Also, drink 2 to 3 cups of green tea daily to enjoy the best result.

Make hair shiny

Apart from making hair strong and healthy, green tea makes your hair shiny and radiated. It helps protect your hair from damage due to pollution or harsh products. Moreover, the high levels of panthenol and vitamins E and C help keep your hair conditioned.

How:

1. Steep 2 to 3 green tea bags in 4 cups of hot water for one hour.
2. Remove the tea bags and let the solution cool.
3. Wet your hair and then rinse your hair with this solution.
4. Wait for 10 minutes and then wash your hair with shampoo.
5. Rinse your hair with cool water.
6. Use this remedy 2 to 3 times per week.