In my quest to nullify months of junk food, ultra-late nights, fizzy drinks, and buckets full of coffee, I recently found some surprising information on a green tea mask.
We already know that green tea is excellent for weight loss, but that’s only some of what this power-packed beverage delivers. While it has several health benefits, green tea is also a terrific ingredient for healthy, supple, glowing skin — with uses ranging from busting hormonal acne to warding off wrinkles.
And you don’t even have to drink the stuff to reap its benefits.
No wonder every major beauty brand, from Estee Lauder to L’Occitane, is rushing to include green tea leaf extract in their skincare products. But what if we can get the benefits straight from the source?
After all, green tea is one of the most easily accessible products almost anywhere in the world.
I have been trying these ancient beauty recipes (most come from 2,000-year-old Chinese and Japanese books of medicine, where green tea is known as “green jade”) and can personally vouch for their effectiveness.
My skin has never recovered so fast and thrives in an anti-aging, zero-acne, pollution-free sanctuary. So, join me?
Green tea mask for busting acne
What it does: Green tea helps heal blemishes and soothe the complexion; it works for all skin types.
The science: Green tea contains catechins, anti-bacterial agents that suppress acne-causing bacteria and help regulate hormonal imbalances.
It also possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce the redness and inflammation of pimples, helping them heal sans the scars. Finally, it’s great for deep pore cleansing and oil control, making it the perfect ingredient in an anti-acne face mask.
How to: Mix one tablespoon of powdered green tea with an egg white and one teaspoon of honey; whip everything together with a fork. Apply this natural detoxifying mask to your face and leave for about 30 minutes. Then rinse it off and apply a moisturizer.
Green tea deep cleanse mask
What it does: Green tea helps heal blemishes and soothe the complexion; it works for all skin types.
The science: Green tea contains catechins, anti-bacterial agents that suppress acne-causing bacteria and help regulate hormonal imbalances.
It also possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce the redness and inflammation of pimples, helping them heal sans the scars.
Finally, it’s great for deep pore cleansing and oil control, making it the perfect ingredient in an anti-acne face mask.
How to: Mix one tablespoon of powdered green tea with an egg white and one teaspoon of honey; whip everything together with a fork. Apply this natural detoxifying mask to clean skin and leave for about 30 minutes. Then rinse it off and apply a moisturizer.
Green tea sunburn soother
What it does: Green tea can help soothe and heal sunburnt skin if applied directly to affected areas.
The science: Several scientific studies have proven green tea’s ability to neutralize the damage done by exposure to UV rays. This results from its high concentration of tannic acid, theobromine, and polyphenols — all of which ease inflammation and repair sun-damaged skin.
How to: Prepare a pot of green tea and chill it in the refrigerator. Use a cloth to apply the liquid to sunburnt areas — avoid rubbing; use the cloth as you would a cold compress.
Green tea eye compress
What it does: Eases tired, puffy eyes and busts dark circles.
The science: Green tea contains vitamin K, a proven ingredient in the battle against dark circles and puffy eyes.
How to: Chill a cup of green tea in the refrigerator. Dip two cotton balls in the cool tea and place them on your closed eyelids. Sit back and relax for 10-15 minutes. Alternatively, swap the cotton balls for chilled, used tea bags.
Green tea for anti-aging
What it does: This mask stops the signs of premature aging — like loose skin, wrinkles, age spots, and fine lines — while making the complexion more moist and supple; especially good for dry skin.
The science: The EGCG compounds in green tea reactivate skin cells that are dying due to poor lifestyle habits, exposure to sunlight, and pollution.
Plus, it contains high levels of oligomeric proanthocyanidins — OPCs — some of the most potent antioxidants known to scientists. These antioxidants help ward off premature aging by fighting free radicals and healing damaged cells.
And that’s not all: OPCs also inhibit the enzymes that break down collagen and elastin, essential for skin’s strength and suppleness.
How to: Combine three tablespoons of full fat yogurt with one tablespoon of powdered green tea leaves. Apply this as a facial mask on the face for 20 minutes, then rinse well.
Green tea facial scrub
What it does: Rid pores of impurities, dirt, and dead cells; this is a savior for oily and acne-prone skin.
The science: The slightly abrasive texture of dry green tea leaves is a great exfoliator to banish dead skin cells and purge pollutants.
How to: Mix 1 tablespoon of dry ground green tea leaves in a small bowl with enough honey to make a thick paste. Apply this paste to your face and leave it on the skin for 10-15 minutes.
Then rub it off in circular motions with your fingertips, rinsing away the excess with warm water. Pat skin dry and follow with your favorite serum and moisturizer.
Green tea facial steam
What it does: Moisturizes, relaxes muscles, plumps wrinkles, eliminates toxins, dislodges dirt from pores, and boosts circulation.
The science: Green tea is rich in antioxidants and catechins, which are propelled into your pores by steam, thereby detoxifying, cleansing, refreshing, and hydrating the skin.
How to: Put 1/8 cup green tea leaves, 1/4 cup dried organic lemon balm, and two tablespoons dried organic peppermint(double the quantities if using fresh herbs) in a bowl. Pour boiling water over the mixture, immediately placing a towel or lid over the bowl so the oils don’t escape.
Place the bowl on a table and hold your face over it, covering your head and the bowl with a large towel to ensure no steam can escape. Keep your eyes closed and breathe deeply to inhale the therapeutic properties of the herbs.
Steam for 5-10 minutes, depending on your comfort factor.
Green tea toner
What it does: Soothes and calms the skin and reduces itching and inflammation while tackling cuts, scrapes, and other blemishes.
The science: Green tea has substantial anti-inflammatory properties, which make it an ideal beauty ingredient for sensitive skin. Herbalists have used cooled it for years to reduce itching and inflammation and as an emergency first aid treatment to ease bleeding from minor cuts and scrapes.
People with skin conditions such as psoriasis, rosacea, and dandruff, which are caused by inflammation, may benefit the most.
How to: Steep five teaspoons of green tea and one teaspoon of mint leaves in a cup of boiling water. Let the infusion stand for at least 10-12 minutes, then strain and allow to cool completely before pouring the water into a glass container.
Now, you can either soak cotton pads in this concoction or pour it into a spray bottle, from which you spritz your face 2-3 times a day. Say hello to radiant skin!
Pro tip: Organic matcha green tea has the best results as a facial toner!
FAQs on green tea masks
These are the most frequently asked questions about green tea masks. Have one of your own? Drop it in the comments below.
Is a green tea mask good for dark spots?
Green tea contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that can help fade dark spots over time by reducing melanin production and promoting skin healing.
How does a green tea mask help the skin?
Green tea masks help the skin by offering antioxidants that combat free radicals, reduce inflammation, balance sebum production, and provide a soothing effect. This leads to clearer, more rejuvenated skin.
How can I apply green tea on my face as part of a skincare routine?
Brew a green tea bag and let it cool. Then, dab the tea onto your face using a cotton ball or mix the tea leaves with a few drops of water or honey to create a mask. Leave it on for 10-20 minutes before rinsing.
Can I use a green tea deep cleanse mask every day?
While green tea masks are beneficial, daily application might be too intense for some skin types. It’s recommended to start with 1-2 times a week and see how your skin responds.
Is green tea good for skin whitening?
Green tea can help brighten the skin by reducing dark spots and improving skin tone due to its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. However, it’s not a bleaching agent.
Can I apply green tea on my face overnight?
It’s best to rinse off green tea masks after 10-20 minutes. However, you can dab brewed green tea onto your face as a toner and leave it on overnight.
Is a green tea mask deep cleanse mask good for pimples?
Green tea’s anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties can help reduce acne and prevent future breakouts. You can apply it in a thin layer over the entire face or use it as a spot treatment.
Does green tea remove tan?
Green tea has soothing properties that can help with sunburn. Its antioxidants can assist skin repair but are not a direct tan remover. Regular use can, however, help lighten sun-induced dark spots.
How do I prepare a DIY green tea mask?
To make a simple mask, mix one tablespoon of green tea powder with enough water or honey to make a paste. Apply it to the face, let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse.
Can green tea masks cause skin irritation?
While green tea is generally safe for all skin types, some individuals might experience irritation. Always do a patch test for potential allergic reactions before applying any new mask or skincare product.
Can I use the green tea from my tea bags to make a facial mask?
Yes, you can. Cut open the tea bags and use the leaves as a base for your mask, or mix it with other ingredients.
Do green tea deep cleanse masks help with blackheads?
The anti-inflammatory properties of green tea can help reduce blackheads and prevent future breakouts.
Does green tea help with oily skin?
Yes, the tannins in green tea can help shrink pores and reduce sebum production, which can be beneficial for oily skin types.
Jessica Marie says
Wow, most effective Green tea: Anti-acne face mask. love this
Racial says
Great tips.. I have never used green tea facial stuff .. will it suit computational skin ?
TagBand UK says
Great information! There is no end to the skin care benefits of green tea. Green tea work great to treat acne without any scar. Green tea is a natural healer, and the unrefined sugar crystals in it exfoliate and saturate the acne to break it down. Thanks for sharing this.