Acne
When the sebacious gland produces excess sebum—the natural oil that moisturizes skin—it accumulates in pores along with dirt, makeup, and other toxins, causing swollen, red bumps to form on the skin.
Acne Causes
Acne usually appears on the face, neck, back, and chest, and it has many causes, including poor hygiene, hormonal imbalances, poor diet, pregnancy, and the use of certain medications.
Green Tea For Acne
There are plenty of commercial acne products available, but they’re expensive and they cause unwanted side effects. Whether they actually work is debatable. Why use those when you can treat acne using green tea?
Is Green Tea Good For Acne?
You’re about to learn several home remedies for treating acne with green tea, but first, let’s look at why it works.
Benefits Of Castor Oil For Acne Treatment:
- Green tea inhibits the production of sebum by 50%.
- It is 50% more effective than benzoyl peroxide.
- It has anti – bacterial property which helps to kills the bacteria that cause acne.
- Green tea contains 6 active catechins which includes epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin, epicatechin, gallocatechin, epigallocatenin – 3 gallate or EGCG that prevent cell damage and protect against the free radicals that cause acne.
- It helps regulate insulin levels and balances hormones, both of which contribute to the severity of acne.
- Green tea prevents acne scarring.
- Scientific studies have shown that drinking 3 – 4 cups of green tea daily helps reduce hormonal acne.
- Green tea contains anti – oxidants, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), tocopherols (vitamin E), carotenoids (vitamin A), selenium, zinc, manganese, and chromium, which are essential to healthy skin.
- It protects the skin from sun damage that enhances the appearance of acne scars.
- Consumption of green tea triggers the release of cortisol, which reduces stress and, by extension, stress-induced acne.
- Acne has been assocaited with high blood pressure and diabetes, and green tea helps regulate both.
- The ECGC present in green tea prohibits the conversion of testosterone to DHT, a hormone that contributes to acne.
- Drinking 6 cups of green tea a day has been shown to reduce the risk of diabetes up to 33%.
- The powerful anti-oxidant epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) helps reduce the irritation and inflammation triggered by the zit outgrowth
- It has special anti – inflammatory compound known as Polyphenolic (common to various fruits and berries) that fight against a wide range of microbes.
How To Use Green Tea As An Acne Treatment?
Green tea can be used to treat acne in many ways. Try all the methods below until you find the one that works best for you.
Home Remedies For Acne
1. Drink Green Tea
Drinking 4-6 cups of green tea a day regulates hormones and sebum production, inhibiting the formaion of acne.
2. Topical Application & Spray
- Brew green tea.
- Use a cotton ball to apply to skin or pour in spray bottle and spritz on.
- Allow it to air dry and then rinse with water.
- Pat dry and repeat daily.
- Or simply splash the green tea onto your face and leave it for few minute and then wash it with cool water
Note: after brewing tea, cool the tea bag and apply to breakouts for 5 minutes.
3. Green Tea with Honey
Raw honey moisturizes skin and kills the bacteria that cause acne. This combination works topically and externally.
Method 1:
- Brew green tea, stir in 1 teaspoon of raw honey.
- Drink regularly to clear acne.
Note: You can use manuka honey instead of raw honey.
Method 2:
- Steep a green tea bag in boiling water for 3 minutes.
- Let the bag cool, then open it and take out leaves.
- Mix in organic raw honey to make a paste.
- Wash your face with water and apply the paste on the acne affected skin.
- Leave on 20 minutes.
- Rinse with water and pat dry.
- Repeat regularly.
Note: You can use green tea powder instead of wet tea leaves.
4. Green Tea with Lemon
Lemon is a natural astringent. It kills the bacteria that cause acne and bleaches away scars. This combination can be used internally and topically.
- Brew green tea.
- Pour some in a mug, stir in 1 tablespoon lemon juice and drink 2 times a day.
- Also, mix 1/4 cup green tea with the juice of 1 lemon.
- Use a cotton ball to apply mixture to skin.
- Leave on at least 10 minutes, but preferrably overnight.
- Rinse with cool water and pat dry.
- Repeat daily to clear acne.
5. Green Tea with Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar detoxifies the body from within, preventing acne. This combination can be used internally and topically.
Method 1:
- Mix 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar into a cup of green tea.
- Stir in raw honey to sweeten.
- Drink daily to get rid of acne.
- Rinse your mouth after drinking as apple cider vineger can damage tooth enamel.
Method 2:
- Mix 1/4 cup of brewed green tea, 1/4 cup water, and 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.
- Use a cotton ball to apply it to skin in the morning before moisturizing and at night time to cleanse the face.
- It helps to refresh and rejuvenate the skin cells and prevents acne.
6. Green Tea with Garlic
Garlic is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-septic. It strengthens the immune system to fight off the bacteria that cause acne.
- Mash 3 garlic cloves.
- Brew green tea, stir in garlic and let steep 5 minutes.
- Strain or drink garlic along with tea.
- Drink regularly.
7. Green Tea Mask
- Empty the contents of a green tea bag into a bowl and use a pestle to grind them into a powder.
- Mix with 3 drops of tea tree oil and enough grapeseed oil to make a paste.
- Use fingertips to massage paste into skin, being careful to avoid eyes.
- Leave on 15 – 20 minutes or until dry.
- Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
- You can replace grapeseed oil with jojoba oil or fresh aloe vera gel.
- Repeat 2 times weekly.
8. Green Tea-Egg White Mask
- Brew green tea and let it cool for room temperature.
- Mix in 1 egg white.
- Wash face thoroughly with water and pat dry the skin.
- Apply mask by focusing more on the acne affected areas and leave on until dry.
- Rinse with warm water.
- Repeat 2 times weekly.
- It also reduces the appearance of the wrinkles.
9. Green Tea with Ginger
Ginger has anti-bacterial, analgesic, and sedative properties that detoxify the skin and reduce inflammation.
- Brew green tea.
- Pour into pot and bring to boil.
- Stir in 1 teaspoon of peeled and minced ginger root.
- Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat, stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
- Sweeten with raw honey if desired.
- Note: you can strain out the ginger chunks or drink them with the tea.
10. Green Tea Face Wash
- Rinse a green tea bag with hot water.
- Cut the bag open and remove the leaves.
- Mix the leaves with 2 tablespoons of your favorite face wash (creamy washes work best).
- Apply to face, massaging in gentle circular motions.
- Leave on 5-7 minutes.
- Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
- Repeat daily to get rid of acne.
11. Green Tea-Rosewater Toner
- Heat rosewater in a pan.
- Place green tea bag in rosewater and let steep for 7 minutes.
- Discard teabag.
- Once cool, pour rosewater in spray bottle.
- Store this in refrigerator and use this as a toner at night time before going to bed.
- Wash face in the morning.
- Repeat regularly.
12. Green Tea with Yogurt
Yogurt reduces inflammation and kills the bacteria that cause acne.
- Steep a green tea bag in boiling water for 3 minutes.
- Let the bag cool, then open it and take out leaves.
- Gently rub wet leaves all over affected skin for 5 minutes.
- Apply full fat yogurt over tea leaves.
- Leave on 5 – 10 minutes.
- Remove with washcloth soaked in lukewarm water.
- Repeat daily.
- Pour the tea you made in the beginning into a spray bottle for future use as spritzer.
13. Green Tea Powder Face Mask for Acne
- Mix 1 teaspoon of organic powdered green tea with enough water to make a paste.
- Use a soft-bristled brush to apply to skin.
- Leave on 10 – 15 minutes or until dry.
- Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.
- Repeat regularly to get relief from acne.
14. Green Tea Ice Cubes
- Brew green tea, let cool, pour into ice trays, and freeze.
- Rub green tea ice cubes on acne twice a day.
- Or pour powdered green tea or dried tea leaves into ice tray.
- Fill the ice tray the rest of the way with water.
- Place in freezer until cubes harden.
- Rub cubes on acne twice a day.
15. Green Tea and Sugar
Sugar provides glycolic acid, which exfoliates skin to remove dead cells and stimulate proper blood flow and skin renewal.
- Brew green tea and allow it to cool.
- Mix 3 tablespoons of sugar, 1 teaspoon of honey, and enough green tea to make a paste.
- Apply paste to skin, massaging gently in circular motions.
- Leave on 4 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.
- Apply remaining green tea as toner.
Note: You can add honey (to moisturise) or lemon (to cleanse) or yogurt (to soothe).
Green Tea Oil:
Green tea oil detoxifies skin, clears up blemishes, reduces the appearance of acne scars, restores the skin’s moisture balance, and stimulates skin regeneration to reduce signs of aging and keep skin looking young and healthy. It can be found at most grocery stores and pharmacies and ordered online. Each night before bed, massage green tea oil gently into skin. Rinse with water in the morning.
Can Green Tea Causes Acne?
As is the case with any acne treatment, green tea will produce different results for different people. Some claim that green tea contains fluoride, which actually causes acne. Others say the fluoride is actually in the water you use to brew green tea. Always make sure to use organic green tea and pure, distilled or filtered water for the above acne treatments.
Green Tea Soaps For Acne:
Green tea soaps are widely available in stores. Choose a green tea soap made with organic olive, almond, tea tree, or jojoba oil. Use this soap daily to get rid of acne.
Tips And Precautions:
For best results, follow the advice below when using green tea to treat acne.
- Always use organic green tea.
- Use acne creams and lotions that contain green tea.
- If you are using any OTC acne medications or ointments, discuss green tea treatments with your doctor before use.
- To avoid side effects like insomnia, irritability, dizziness, and loss of appetite, use decaffeinated green tea.
- Pregnant women should ask a doctor before starting green tea treatments.
- Loose leaf and powdered green tea contain more ECGC than other forms, so they will be more effective.
- Don’t add milk to green tea as it diminishes the anti-oxidant properties that treat acne.
- Add a few teaspoons of green tea to your sunscreen when spending time outside.
- While brewing green tea, lean your face into the steam to open pores, and then wash your face to remove impurities.
- If you can find it, use Matcha green tea for these acne treatments.
- Drink green tea at least 3 times a day.
- Always use the freshest green tea you can find.
- Do not store green tea for a long period of time.