For a long time, green tea has not only been known for its many health benefits but also contains many active ingredients that can help beautify the skin and hair. So why does green tea help beautify the skin?
Green tea is rich in antioxidants, amino acids and enzymes that are beneficial for skin health. This ingredient is also often used as an ingredient in toners and skin care masks. So why does green tea help beautify the skin? The following article will help you answer in more detail!
Why does green tea help beautify the skin?
The polyphenol content in green tea is very high, this is a powerful antioxidant compound, capable of protecting the body from the effects of free radicals. Thereby helping to reduce inflammation and slow down the aging process of the skin. In which, catechin accounts for 70 – 80% of the total polyphenol content in green tea.
Polyphenols in green tea have the ability to reduce inflammation and slow down the aging process.
Green tea contains 4 types of catechins that are important for the skin, including:
- Epicatechin (EC);
- Epigallocatechin (EGC);
- Epicatechin Gallate (ECG);
- Epigallocatechin 3 Gallate (EGCG).
These catechins all have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anti-cancer properties. Of which, EGCG is the most biologically active and has the most obvious effect on the skin. In addition, green tea also contains vitamins such as vitamin E, vitamin C and vitamin B, which help provide nutrients and maintain moisture for the skin. Therefore, products containing green tea extract have the ability to increase moisture and reduce dryness of the skin.
Products such as cleansers, shower gels, shampoos, exfoliants and masks from green tea also help the skin become smoother and more radiant.
Skin care benefits of green tea
Green tea is not only good for health but also considered a “golden ingredient” in skin care products, thanks to the wonderful uses it brings. Here are some benefits of green tea for the skin that can be mentioned as:
Anti-aging
Polyphenols in green tea have the ability to inhibit the activity of some enzymes that can break down the structure and reduce the elasticity of the skin. Inhibiting these enzymes will slow down the aging process of the skin. A study in Japan on middle-aged women showed that skin elasticity was significantly improved when using green tea, both topically and orally.
Green tea contains antioxidants that can help protect and restore skin cells.
In addition, EGCG – a powerful antioxidant that can help protect and restore skin cells. This will slow down the aging process and keep the skin healthy. Vitamins C and B2 in green tea also help maintain and regenerate collagen, making the skin firmer.
Support acne treatment
EGCG in green tea has anti-androgen effects, helping to reduce the amount of oil secreted on the skin and prevent acne. With anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant properties, EGCG improves the effectiveness of supporting acne treatment and controlling oily skin.
Moisturizes the skin
Vitamins such as E, C and B in green tea help nourish and provide moisture to the skin, thereby reducing roughness. Products containing green tea extract help the skin become softer and smoother. Green tea masks have the ability to reduce wrinkles and improve the smoothness of the skin.
Protects Skin from UV Rays
The polyphenols in green tea can prevent UV-induced skin damage, while helping to protect the skin from problems such as aging, inflammation, and skin cancer. The powerful antioxidants in green tea also help inhibit tumor growth, protecting the skin from sun damage.
Reduces eye puffiness
The caffeine and EGCG in green tea help reduce eye puffiness and dark circles. If you have puffy eyes due to lack of sleep, simply use warm or cold green tea bags after soaking and apply them to your eyes for about 20 minutes to effectively reduce puffiness and dark circles.
Caffeine and EGCG in green tea help reduce dark circles and puffiness
Things to note when using green tea for skin beauty
When using green tea for skin beauty, you should note the following points to achieve good results and avoid unwanted negative effects:
- Do not overuse: You should only use green tea masks 2-3 times/week and each time should not exceed 20 minutes. Overuse can cause skin irritation, enlarged pores, even leading to acne and premature aging.
- Do not leave the mask on overnight: Do not leave the green tea mask on the skin for more than 30 minutes and absolutely do not leave it on overnight. Leaving the mask on for too long can cause the skin to lose its natural moisture, clog pores, weaken the skin and form wrinkles.
- Cleanse the skin before applying the mask: Before using the green tea mask, the skin needs to be cleaned with steps such as removing makeup, exfoliating and washing the face. This helps the skin better absorb the nutrients from the mask.
- Test before use: Before applying any new green tea product to your skin, you should test it on a small area of skin to make sure there is no allergy or irritation.
Thus, the above article has answered the question of why green tea has beauty effects as well as some of the uses of green tea for the skin. Hopefully it will provide you with useful information, helping you know how to apply green tea to your skin care routine.