Green Tea Treatments for Acne

A tall glass of iced green tea can be soothing and refreshing on a hot summer day. This earthy beverage doesn't just taste great; it's also packed with many potential health benefits. Most excitingly, you don't need to sip away at green tea all day, every day, to see noticeable results--you can witness quick, visible improvements just by using it as a topical treatment on your skin!

Green tea is loaded with antioxidants, called polyphenols, which can help ward off cancer cells. It also has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-aging properties. This is all great news to our skin. By simply applying the tea to blemishes, you can help shrink and heal zits with barely any effort at all. You don't have to stop there. Use this gentle toner on clear skin alike. Avoid sensitive areas but spray away on arms, legs and the entire face (with closed eyes, of course) for increased sun protection, as an oil-free moisturizer, and for an all-over youthful glow. After brewing your next cup of tea, grab a couple of cotton pads and ditch the coffee cup. And keep your tea bags, too! Read on for a few easy ways to incorporate green tea into your beauty routine.*

• Toner

  Place one teabag in 4oz of hot water. Let brew for about 30 minutes for optimal potency. Let the tea cool to room temperature then pour into a small, sealable bottle. For added benefits, add 3-5 drops of an essential oil of your choice, such as tea tree or turmeric. Using a cotton pad, swipe across face daily after cleansing. Keep the toner in your fridge to ensure freshness (3-4 days maximum). You may also choose to freeze the liquid in an ice cube tray. You will end up with cooling cubes, which will help further reduce swelling in zits and blemishes.

• Facial/Body Mist

  Place one teabag in 8oz of hot water. Let brew for about 30 minutes to ensure optimal potency. Let the tea cool to room temperature then pour into a spray bottle. You may choose to dilute the tea slightly by adding another few ounces of cool water, if desired. Carefully mist onto face (with closed eyes) and body, holding spray bottle 10-12 inches away from skin.

• Eye Treatment

  Place damp, used tea bags in fridge until chilled--about 30 minutes or when ready to use. Lie down, close your eyes, and gently set each tea bag on under-eye area. Relax, and let sit for 10-15 minutes.

*Please note that due to its intense pigmentation, green tea may stain clothing, hair, skin, or other porous surfaces. It may also react with certain lotions, sunscreens or cleansers due to the presence of various ingredients. If you are using green tea in conjunction with other products, be sure to consult your healthcare physician before doing so.

Note from the Author:

While writing this article, I decided to give the green tea treatment a try on my own skin. I had just sprouted an unattractive pimple on the end of my nose, and was curious to see if the tea would have any effect on it. Following the directions above, I brewed myself a strong toner using all natural Tazo Zen™ Green Tea. I applied it morning and night for just two days in a row. My favorite part about using the toner was the comforting fragrance it gave off; it's both refreshing and calming. Immediately after the application, my skin felt slightly tighter and had a clean sheen to it. I followed up with a gentle moisturizer. I didn't experience miracle results. However, I love how it made my face feel naturally clean. There was no burning sensation, no dryness, and no strong, stinky smell. It didn't make my eyes water like other over-the-counter toners. The morning after my first application, the zit was slightly smaller, less red, and didn't hurt as badly. I can't say for sure whether it was the green tea or just the natural cycle of the pimple, but I would definitely try a green tea treatment again, and would recommend it to friends and family alike.