5 Green Tea Benefits for the Skin: Why It’s a Bodycare Essential

For years, green tea has been a staple in any beauty aisle. You’ll find it in cleansers, lotions, serums, soaps, handwashes, and more. Why does this versatile ingredient deserve a prime spot in your bodycare regimen? Read on to learn about green tea benefits for skin.

Drinking one too many cocktails or staying up late can make your skin puffy in the morning. While a full-coverage concealer hides your tired eyes and dark circles, green tea de-bloats your face in a flash. The Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery mentions that the caffeine in tea stimulates better circulation, effectively reducing puffiness.

More importantly, green tea contains flavonoids and tannins – both have potent anti-inflammatory effects. Flavonoids help bring down any redness, while tannins possess astringent properties that aid in tightening and toning the skin. The combination of caffeine and these skin-soothing compounds can refresh your skin, making you look like you've had a full night of beauty sleep.

One of the best-known green tea benefits for skin is delayed photoaging. The rich reservoir of antioxidants like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a type of polyphenol, neutralizes free radicals and inhibits the breakdown of collagen, as stated in a 2023 study. These skin-boosting effects put the brakes on the formation of wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging – all telltale signs of sun damage.

What if you already have UV-related skin problems? Research suggests that polyphenols found can activate DNA reparation. So not only does green tea help prevent skin aging caused by UV radiation, but it also aids in restoring skin integrity.

Everyone has had their fair share of acne due to stress or hormonal imbalance. But if you've made it your life's mission to find the best ingredients for busting pimples, consider adding green tea to your list. According to research from Korea, polyphenols in green tea have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that detox skin and calm angry breakouts without any significant side effects.

Green tea also helps prevent zits from forming by regulating sebum production. However, it isn't likely to clear pores and banish blackheads and whiteheads all on its own. Use it in combination with AHA or BHA for best results.

Between the weather and over-exfoliation, many factors can parch your complexion. One of green tea benefits for skin is its moisture-retaining ability. Research published in the Dermatologic Therapy journal finds that polyphenols in green tea extracts provide long-lasting hydrating effects and keep transepidermal water loss (TEWL) at bay while improving skin texture.

When it comes to dry skin, you need to restore and seal in moisture. In the shower, harsh cleansers can strip your skin of natural oils. This is where green tea-infused products like Dove Go Fresh Cucumber & Green Tea Body Wash can truly shine. It boasts a paraben- and alcohol-free Microbiome Gentle Skin Prebiotics formula that replenishes lost moisture and fortifies the skin barrier. The result is 24-hour hydration without stickiness. Plus, the fresh scent leaves you feeling energized all day.

Green tea is a formidable ally in your quest for a more even complexion. As research explains, the EGCG in this ingredient helps lower the production of melanin and prevents it from going overboard. When you use it with other actives that increase cell turnover, like retinol, they accelerate the process of shedding old skin and reveal a new layer underneath.

Of course, UV exposure can easily undo the brightening effects of green tea. That's why you should apply sunscreen every day – rain or shine – to minimize the risk of hyperpigmentation.

These green tea benefits for skin are proof that the obsession with all things green tea is completely justified. So go ahead and take your body care to the next level with this brewtiful ingredient.