Green Tea for Healthy Skin
Tea is one of the most popular beverages consumed through out the world. Tea, which comes from the plant Camellia sinensis, is consumed for taste and for its various health benefits. It is consumed in as green, black or oolong tea. However, among all these, the most noteworthy effects on health have been observed with the consumption of green tea.
The history of green tea goes way back to the 7th Century, when green tea was the staple for Japanese monks, as it imbued them with energy and mental focus that enhanced their meditation. Green tea has anti-inflammatory and detoxing properties, it is also rich in Vitamin E, C and B2, all of these properties make it beneficial for skin health.
Green Tea contains powerful anti-oxidant called EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate), which helps to fight against the damage done to the DNA by ultraviolet (UV) rays to prevent skin cancers. Drinking a minimum of 2 cups of green tea daily can help to protect skin from sun damage.
Green tea also has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to reduce redness, swelling and irritation. Polyphenols in green tea damage the bacterial membranes and fight against infection. Green tea apart from being used a s a drink can also be used as a face mask which is highly hydrating and helps to fight against acne or any skin infection.
The antioxidants in green tea are excellent for fighting premature aging, caused by free radical damage. Green Tea also has the vitamins essential for smooth and healthy skin, namely, vitamin E, C and B2. Whereas, vitamin B2 is essential for collagen formation, which increases the elasticity of the skin, vitamin E and C help promote cell regeneration and protection from free radical damage. These vitamins also hydrate and nourish the skin.
Tannins and caffeine in the green tea help to shrink the pores and reduce the production of too much of oil, thus reducing the oiliness of the skin. These also help to reduce the puffiness around the eyes and help reduce dark circles.
Green tea benefits not only come from drinking green tea, but it can also be used for applying to skin in the form of face wash, face mask, etc.
Mixing green tea with other plant extracts and making a decoction both for drinking and local application has been proven to be beneficial for skin health. Plants extracts that can be used are lemon with its rind, rosemary, lavender, indian lilac, hibiscus, etc.
So, to conclude, for skin health, green tea has numerous capabilities. Drinking green tea can delay aging, protect the skin from damage by the UV rays of sun and improve skin tone.