I recently started drinking a cup of matcha green tea each day because of the numerous health benefits. As a skincare junkie who loves natural products, I’ve been wondering, what are the benefits of matcha for my skin? I did some research and found out there are a ton of amazing benefits!
Matcha green tea benefits the skin because it is chock full of powerhouse antioxidants that prevent and decrease the signs of skin aging. This includes reducing dark spots and helping to support collagen building. It also fights acne because it is anti-inflammatory and helps regulate sebum production.
Matcha Green Tea Benefits For Skin
Read on to find out more about the top benefits that matcha green tea has on our skin!
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Anti-Aging
Matcha contains high levels of powerful antioxidants which help to protect the skin from free radicals. These free radicals are caused by harmful toxins in the environment and UV rays from the sun. They cause premature aging such as dark spots and a decrease in collagen production, resulting in sagging skin.
Keeping collagen levels up is one of the main goals of my skincare routine and fighting free radical damage is an important component.
Antioxidants fight the free radicals and both reduce and prevent the damage they cause. Combined with sunscreen to prevent UV damage, they can keep your skin looking smooth, even-toned, and firm.
Top antioxidants in matcha include polyphenols, which are found in natural foods and plants such as fruits, red wine, nuts, vegetables, dark chocolate, and of course, tea.
Polyphenols are great for the overall health of your body but also specifically for your skin cells. And they work best in conjunction with other antioxidants, which Matcha has tons of.
✅ This is one of a series of articles I’ve written on natural skincare ingredients. If this interests you check out my articles on the skincare benefits of pumpkin, sea buckthorn, mango butter, and saltwater.
Matcha also contains Vitamin C, one of the most thoroughly studied and powerful antioxidants when it comes to skincare. Vitamin C inhibits melanin production in our skin, which lightens dark spots, and also stimulates collagen production, giving us firmer, younger-looking skin with fewer wrinkles.
Additional antioxidants in matcha green tea such as vitamins A, E, and K stimulate collagen production, leading to fewer wrinkles and firmer, healthier-looking skin.
Anti-Inflammatory
Matcha is a great choice to soothe irritated or sunburned skin because it has anti-inflammatory properties. It will help reduce redness and give you a more even skin tone. Additionally, it fights puffiness due to its caffeine content. Caffeine is a very popular ingredient in serums for eye puffiness. With Matcha, you get caffeine along with all the other antioxidant benefits as well.
Fights Acne
Matcha green tea has been used in Asia for centuries to fight acne. It is rich in compounds called catechins, which help reduce inflammation. Additionally, it contains high levels of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which not only fights inflammation but is also super helpful in reducing redness in our skin.
The high concentration of antioxidants in Matcha green tea also helps decrease sebum production, which is probably high if you have oily skin. Additionally, antioxidants called polyphenols are abundant in green tea, and on top of being anti-inflammatory, they also are anti-bacterial, which helps fight acne.
Another acne fighter in Matcha is zinc, which is also antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. Zinc is an essential mineral that is abundant in the top layers of skin. It’s commonly used in sunscreens to block UV rays but also helps regulate the oil and sebum that can block our pores.
What is Matcha Green Tea
Matcha is a finely ground powder made from shade-grown green tea leaves. By growing it in the shade, the tea leaves contain extra chlorophyll. Matcha is rich in antioxidants and nutrients and known for its energizing and detoxifying properties. There are many benefits of green tea, but matcha has more antioxidants than an average cup of green tea because the entire leaf is consumed as opposed to just green tea extract.
Matcha can provide sustained energy and has been used for centuries in Japan as a medicinal drink. This is because of the caffeine it contains, but also because of the presence of L-Theanine, an amino acid that has been associated with stress relief.
How To Use Matcha Green Tea For Your Skin
You can benefit your skin by both drinking matcha and applying it topically.
Drinking Matcha Green Tea
To drink Matcha can be made by either stirring powdered matcha green tea into hot water or mixing it with cold water to make a frothy green tea drink. It can also be served as a matcha latte with steamed milk and sweetener or added to your favorite smoothie or protein shake.
The catechins, EGCG, and other antioxidants that fight aging in your skin also fight free radicals throughout your whole body. This makes matcha a great choice for your overall health.
In addition to being healthy for the body and skin, drinking matcha is great for my energy levels, without causing me to feel jittery. The L-theanine is relaxing, which may be what allows the caffeine to give me energy without feeling too strong. Since I’m not a coffee drinker, caffeine has a tendency to make me jumpy, but that doesn’t happen with matcha
How to Use Matcha Green Tea On Your Skin
Matcha, as well as regular green tea, is very gentle and suitable for any skin type. Like any product, you could have a bad reaction if you are allergic to green tea, but that’s not very likely. One of the reasons I love natural skin care is the lack of artificial fragrance and dyes since they are likely to cause irritation to sensitive skin.
You can find Matcha in a variety of skincare products, including cleansers, serums, masks, moisturizers, and even under-eye patches.
Antioxidants fight UV rays and sun damage so I like to use matcha in the morning, under my sunscreen. However, they also can help your skin repair itself at night so it’s fine to use in the evening too. It’s such a versatile and gentle ingredient it can be fit into any routine.
DIY Matcha Green Tea Face Mask
An inexpensive and easy way to use matcha green tea for your skin is to make a DIY face mask at home. In a bowl, add water to high-quality matcha green tea powder (I prefer this one) and mix until you get a paste-like consistency. Feel free to add a small amount of soothing aloe vera gel or honey.
If you have dry skin, consider adding glycerin or a facial oil such as marula or argan oil. I’ve written a guide to The Ordinary face oils, which details some very inexpensive but effective options.
Apply the mask to your face and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing with water. Super easy and effective!
Best Skin Care Products with Matcha Green Tea
Boscia Matcha Magic Super Antioxidant Mask
Boscia is a great skincare line if you love natural ingredients. They don’t use artificial fragrances or dyes and they are cruelty-free and vegan. This matcha mask combines all the benefits of matcha along with bakuchiol, Vitamin E, and argan oil. Leave this mask on for 10- 15 minutes and then rinse off with water.
COCOKIND Remix Matcha Face Moisturizer
Cocokind is another brand that features clean beauty products. In addition to the antioxidants power of matcha, this includes glycerin, shea butter, and a small amount of pomegranate oil for extra moisture. This is a great choice for a nighttime moisturizer.
purlisse Matcha Green Tea Antioxidant Priming Moisturizer
I have used purlisse Perfect Glow BB cream for years. I recently received a sample of this moisturizer with one of my orders and was hooked! This moisturizes with glycerin and also has Vitamin E and White tea for extra antioxidant power.
This is perfect for a light moisturizer to use in the mornings before sunscreen.
This does contain fragrance, which I normally avoid, but it’s the very last ingredient and not overpowering so it hasn’t been a problem for me. But it’s something to keep in mind if your skin is very sensitive.
Final Thoughts on the Benefits of Matcha Green Tea For Skin
Matcha green tea is a natural and gentle skincare product for all skin types. It’s loaded with antioxidants that fight aging and acne. It helps maintain healthy-looking skin by reducing inflammation and acne.
If you want to ditch the harsh chemicals in your skincare routine or just find something new, give matcha green tea a try!
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