A cup of tea is a perfect choice in the afternoon, but did you know that it is also a great choice for your skin? From fighting free radicals to reducing the appearance of fine lines and dissolving dead skin cells, tea has become a popular skin care ingredient. Read on to find out if this ancient elixir is your skin’s cup of tea.
A brief history of tea
The history of tea begins in China in 2737 BC. According to legend, the Chinese emperor and famous herbalist, Shen Nung, was sitting under a tree when some leaves from the tree blew into boiling water for him to drink. He decided to try the infusion that had been accidentally created. The tree was a Camellia sinensisand the resulting drink was what we now call tea.
All traditional teas are still made from the leaves and buds of different varieties of the Camellia sinensis plant — originally from the borders of northern Burma and southwest China. The difference between teas lies in how they are processed – whether they are fermented or not, for example – and this determines their oxidation levels. Green teas are not oxidized at all, while black teas are highly oxidized. When it comes to beauty benefits, green tea and matcha are very popular, but black tea, white tea and kombucha are also powerful allies for your skin.
What are the benefits of tea for the skin?
Tea has bioactives that have been scientifically proven to hydrate the skin and protect it from aging and environmental damage. Antioxidant tea polysaccharides they fight free radicals and absorb and retain moisture. Tea polyphenols they protect the skin by absorbing UV radiation and preventing it from epidermal damage. Polyphenols sink deep into the skin, putting barriers around destructive enzymes that work against the skin’s body-building collagen and elastin. They protect your skin’s hydration by boosting hyaluronic acid and their anti-inflammatory activities improve microcirculation. So, we’ve established that tea is your skin’s best friend, now we’re going to throw in the tea blends to help you!
Green tea
A perfect accompaniment to sushi, green tea is mainly grown in Japan. Green tea leaves are picked, withered and steamed to keep them green and non-oxidizing. There are many good things for the skin in this type of tea, especially EGCG, a polyphonic compound that is a source of strength for the skin. It is known to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It protects against redness caused by UVB rays and is being studied for its role in wound healing and scar reduction. EGCG also has a remarkable ability to get into the skin and stay there, especially in the stratum corneumwhere it actively hydrates and smoothes skin roughness and wrinkles.
Matcha tea
Another Japanese export, matcha tea is green in color but grown differently than regular green tea. About a month before harvest, it is covered from direct sunlight to increase chlorophyll and amino acid levels. Intensely nourishing matcha tea powder is regenerative for tired, damaged skin that is low in oxygen. It also fights inflammation and protects the skin from harmful free radicals.
White tea
The young buds and tea leaves are collected only once a year in early spring to prepare white teas such as Bai Mu Dan (White Peony) and Yin Zhen Bai Hao (Silver Needle). The leaves and buds are minimally processed – not oxidized or rolled – meaning nothing has been bruised or twisted to damage the cell walls and release the plant’s juices. In addition to powerful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, white tea extracts in skin care products are believed to enhance the action of hyaluronic acid for firmer, more hydrated skin.
Black tea
Black tea, such as pu’er from China’s Yunnan province, is the most oxidized of teas because it is made from leaves that are picked, dried, rolled, ground and fermented. Black tea extracts they are new to the skin care game and their tannins appear to protect the skin from environmental damage as well as perform antibacterial, nourishing and moisturizing functions. Other teas do this too, but black tea has one thing the others don’t: caffeine. Caffeine in skin creams stimulates microcirculation and helps reduce the appearance of puffiness under the eyes.
Kombucha
A byproduct of black tea, kombucha is produced by fermenting black tea with sugar, yeast and bacteria. As a drink, probiotic kombucha creates an ideal bacterial environment in the gut which helps digestion. And it can do the same for your skin. According to the dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, kombucha “… is great for balancing the skin microbiome by promoting a healthy ratio of good bacteria.” This is great if you are prone to acne or rosacea. Kombucha is also a natural exfoliant and antioxidant.
Darjeeling tea
Often referred to as the ‘champagne of teas’, true Darjeeling is grown exclusively in select tea plantations in the foothills of the Himalayas spread across the Darjeeling region of West Bengal, India. It is said that this tea is grown at the highest altitude of all teas and that it is the altitude that creates an ideal environment for the tea plant, giving these teas their unique flavor and aroma. The natural antioxidant properties found in Darjeeling tea can promote healthy skin, while the polyphenols are known to fight inflammation.
Pineapple tea
Another tea that is making its name in the world of beauty is pineapple tea! It’s made by boiling pineapple peels, which extracts an enzyme called bromelain that’s great for digestion, but also has exfoliating properties for the skin—making pineapple tea a rising beauty star in Tik Tok. Bromelain dissolves the proteins that bind dead skin cells with minimal irritation for clear, glowing skin. If you’re looking for the benefits of bromelain, our pineapple cleansing crochet is where you’ll find them.
Tea for different skin types
Dry skin
Tea-infused products in your daily beauty routine can really up your skin game, and there seems to be a type of tea for every type of problem. Those with dry skin that is sensitive to pollution, cigarette smoke, and the sun’s UVA and UVB rays should look for beauty products with hydrating green tea, white tea, and oxygen-reviving matcha tea extracts.
Oily skin
Oily, acne-prone skin will respond well to products with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory extracts of matcha, kombucha, or white tea that detoxify the skin. Or try green tea, which is known to reduce sebum production.
Mature skin
Mature skin can benefit more from the way black tea can plump the skin’s appearance and green tea retains moisture. White tea will gently plump and reduce the appearance of fine lines. Any of these varieties will suit your skin for a ‘tea’.
