The Top 5 Refreshing Benefits of Drinking Green Tea for the Skin

Tea with superpowers – possibly the best way to define Green tea and its benefits! One of the top benefits of drinking green tea is its ability to work wonders for the skin – both to elevate the quality and maintain its health. Green tea is packed full of Vitamins B2, E, and K, minerals (potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and others), and catechins (EGCG). All of these essay a role in supporting new skin cell growth, while maintaining collagen levels. The phytonutrients and antioxidants are natural and potent ‘weapons’ that combat aging, while the vitamins keep the skin moisturized and fresh. The catechin EGCG is claimed to be almost 200 times more potent when compared to Vitamin E – for making harmful free radicals ineffective, thereby protecting the skin cells. Let us look at some more ‘refreshing’ benefits of drinking tea for the skin:

• Anti-inflammatory properties

Drinking green tea provides the skin with its anti-inflammatory properties, which alleviate redness, irritation, and swelling. The vitamins enable the rejuvenation of skin cells, leaving the skin looking nourished, hydrated, and youthful. Drinking green tea also works as a detoxifying agent that removes toxins and pollutants that would otherwise have an adverse effect on the skin. Remember not to throw away your green tea bag – chill it and apply it on minor cuts and redness, and watch them heal!

• Safe and Natural Sunscreen

Consuming green tea helps provide protection for the skin from the inside out by the action of the antioxidant ‘warriors’. They work as a natural sunscreen and prevent UV rays from damaging your skin.

• Combat Acne

The polyphenols in Green tea kill harmful bacteria – the kind that causes acne and other skin diseases. These polyphenols are nature’s anti-bacterial agents that fight infections and preserve the health and hydration of the skin while soothing the rest of the body.

• Alleviate Oily Skin

Drinking green tea provides the skin with a powerful catechin known as EGCG or Epigallocatechin gallate, which is anti-androgenic. This simply means that EGCG regulates the production of androgens, which helps to reduce the overproduction of oil or sebum. Excess oil clogs the pores and traps toxins and dirt, which in turn enables the growth of harmful bacteria that causes skin ailments. Drinking green tea prevents these occurrences.

• Slows down Skin Aging

Green tea contains caffeine and tannins – both of these compounds act as astringents and help to shrink the blood vessels around the eyes, while also tightening the skin pores. Further, they also prevent collagenase from damaging the skin. Collagenase is a collagen-reducing enzyme – the skin needs collagen to maintain its elasticity and suppleness.  Drinking green tea supports the action of collagen.

 

Finally

There are several varieties of green tea and it would be helpful to determine which one you should drink to gain the maximum benefits for your skin. Green tea with the highest amount of catechins would provide anti-inflammatory properties (for example, Japanese green tea). Matcha green tea has the highest amounts of polyphenols, and hence consuming this tea would provide the required antioxidant and anti-aging effects. 

Add green tea to your daily diet – either hot or cold, depending on your mood and taste. However, considering that green tea contains caffeine, it is advisable to check with your doctor before including it in your diet. This is especially necessary if you are on medication, are unwell, or have a medical condition. Stay happy and in the ‘green’ of health always!