It has been known for years now that green tea is great for your health and has a lot of other benefits for your skin and hair. It is widely used as a remedy for headaches and various other ailments.
Green tea is considered a great addition to a healthy diet, which is why tons of people around the world drink it daily.
Read on to know what made this tea so famous for not only drinking but also as a skin and hair remedy.
Benefits of Green Tea for Your Skin and Hair
Green tea is widely known as a healthy hot beverage consumed by thousands of people all over the world, but it can also be used for an array of skin and hair care benefits because of its rich nutritional value. There are tons of ways green tea can be used to reap the benefits of its components.
Here are some of the benefits of green tea for your skin and hair. (1)
Skin benefits of green tea
Green tea can offer the following benefits for your skin.
1. Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
Green tea is a very famous ingredient used for treating fine lines and wrinkles. It can make your eyes look more healthy and improves your appearance.
According to a study, these effects are attributed to the potent antioxidants and compounds in green tea, such as catechin and gallic acids. When green tea is applied topically, the polyphenols in it prevent oxidative damage, which is the cause of fine lines and wrinkles.
How to use: (2)
- Put freshly used tea bags in the refrigerator for a few minutes.
- Place these cold green tea bags on your eyelids and leave them on for a few minutes.
- Doing this at least twice every day helps in reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
2. Treats pimples
Green tea contains phytochemicals that are antibacterial, which is why it can be useful in fighting acne or pimples.
A very common cause of acne is excessive sebum production, which can be effectively controlled by green tea application. Green tea also has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce the inflammation and redness associated with acne.
This effect is supported by one research that evaluated the effects of green tea extract on skin sebum production in humans. Statistically significant results were found after long-term use of a green tea formulation. (3)
Another study laid emphasis on the effects of green tea extract for acne based on its antioxidant properties. The meta-analysis suggested that green tea extract is beneficial for acne vulgaris and does not cause adverse effects when applied topically. (4)
How to use:
- Brew green tea in a cup of water.
- Using cotton balls, apply this solution to the affected areas of your face.
- Leave it on for a few minutes before you rinsing it off with water.
- Do this at least once every day to reap the desired results.
3. Promotes skin healing
Green tea is a great skin-rejuvenating ingredient that makes the skin bright and healthy looking. It does so by taking away toxins from the skin and reducing inflammation and redness through its anti-inflammatory action.
Studies have shown that the gallic acid compounds in green tea are associated with a ton of health benefits. For instance, it supports the different stages of wound healing such as the proliferation stage and the tissue remodeling stage. This speeds up the healing of any scars while also improving skin elasticity.
How to use: (5)
- Mix green tea with honey and lime juice.
- Apply the mixture to your face, and leave it on for a few minutes.
- Rinse it off with water.
- Use this face mask at least once a week.
4. Fights aging
Green tea is known for its antiaging properties – it prevents sagging of skin and fights sun damage. It is also known to be helpful for fine lines and wrinkles that appear as signs of aging.
These effects are due to the high amounts of antioxidants in green tea that fight free radicals, which cause damage to your skin and are known to promote the process of aging. (6)
How to use:
- Mix 2 tbsp of greek yogurt, 2 tbsp of green tea, and a pinch of turmeric powder.
- Apply the mixture to your face and neck. Leave it on for a few minutes.
- Rinse it off with water.
- Do this at least once a week for best results.
5. Treats skin disorders
The polyphenolic compounds in green tea have been found to show good activity and protect the skin against photocarcinogenesis. Other human studies show that green tea extracts have anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties.
The outcomes of these researches suggest that these properties of green tea can be used to fight against various skin disorders. (7)
6. Prevents sun damage
Green tea is a great ingredient that can protect your skin from sun damage. It acts as a shield against the ultraviolet rays of the sun, which is not good for your skin.
Moreover, green tea is abundant in polyphenols that can soothe your skin while healing sunburn. (8)
How to use:
- Brew green tea and refrigerate it for some time
- Using a cotton ball, apply it to the affected areas.
- Do this twice daily to help fight sun damage.
7. Shrinks open pores
When your skin pores are open, they get clogged with impurities, which can encourage bacterial growth and later lead to infections and acne. Green tea being replete with antioxidants and having astringent properties is helpful in shrinking these open pores, thereby smoothing and tightening your skin. (9)
How to use:
- Brew a cup of green tea and let it cool down for a few minutes.
- Add any kind of cosmetic clay to it to form a paste-like texture.
- Apply it to your face like a mask and let it dry.
- Once it has completely dried, scrub it off and rinse it with water.
Hair benefits of green tea
Green tea can help you achieve and maintain healthy and strong hair.
1. Promotes hair growth
As green tea is teeming with antioxidants, it is safe to say that it is a good stimulator of hair growth. It also contains other chemical compounds, such as catechins, that inhibit hormonal imbalance that causes hair loss. (10)
Moreover, green tea helps keep your scalp away from problems such as dandruff and dryness.
How to use:
- Brew green tea and wash your hair with it.
- Wait for 10 minutes before rinsing it off with water.
- Do this at least twice a week.
Note: You can also simply drink green tea daily to promote healthy hair.
2. Reduces hair greasiness
Green tea is a great ingredient for maintaining healthy and strong hair. It helps get rid of greasy scalp, leaving behind silky and shiny hair.
Additionally, green tea is rich in vitamins A and C, which offers the hair protection from any kind of damage that arises from exposure to chemicals and/or pollution. (11)
How to use:
- Brew green tea and let it cool down for a few minutes.
- Rinse your hair with this solution and leave it on for a few minutes.
- Shampoo your hair and rinse it with water.
- Do this at least twice a week.
Most-Asked Questions
What kind of nutritional value does green tea hold?
Green tea has excellent nutritional value and is very rich in antioxidants. This is why it is perfect for fighting free radicals in the body that are not good for your skin and hair.
Green tea is also abundant in other important nutrients such as amino acids, manganese, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin B.
How can I use green tea for my hair?
You can use shampoos that contain green tea extracts and scrub your scalp gently with it. There are also conditioners that are available with green tea as the main ingredient that can be used whenever you wash your hair.
If you want to use something homemade, you can steep green tea, and once it’s cool, apply it to your hair for its benefits.
Can I apply green tea to my hair daily?
You can apply green tea to your hair daily by simply rinsing your hair with green tea extracts. It can lead to strengthening of the hair roots and can leave your hair with a nice and shiny texture.
Final Word
Green tea is rich in nutrients and provides a wide range of benefits when it comes to skin and hair health. Several studies have shown that green tea can leave your skin and hair healthy and strong.
There are different ways you can use green tea to reap its benefits. The simplest way is to drink green tea at least twice a day. Following the home remedies shared above is also great for skin and hair health.