Hiya Gorgeous!

You’ve probably noticed by now that I get pretty excited about all things skincare. I love testing out new cruelty-free products and learning about fun DIYs. And when I find something that’s really good, I just have to tell you about it!

So when our fabulous beauty editor, Danielle Shine, filled me in on all of the incredible benefits of green tea for skin, I knew we had to share it with you.

Now before I hand it over to Danielle, I want to clear one thing up. If you’re not a fan of drinking green tea, this blog is still for you! There are tons of ways to get the benefits of green tea without sippin’ on it. Danielle has even included a recipe for her favorite DIY matcha face mask!

Take it away, Danielle!

The Benefits of Green Tea for Your Skin

by Beauty Editor Danielle Shine

Holy mother of green tea goodness!

I’ve always been #obsessed with drinking green tea. I love the fact there are so many varieties and flavors. Plus it’s so good for us, right? But I wanted to know more about the benefits of green tea! So, I went down a rabbit hole of research, and what I found out has absolutely blown my mind in the BEST way. Naturally, I just had to share this info with you, too!

But before you read any further, why not go grab yourself a cup of this gorgeous green drink? Let’s dive in!

Green tea can safeguard your skin from sun damage.

Most of us have felt the burn that comes with too much exposure to the sun. It’s painful, yes, and can also cause some serious long-term damage like premature aging and skin cancer. But what if I told you that sipping on green tea, or slathering it on your skin via a great body cream could help? It’s true!

Research suggests that green tea’s potent polyphenols (also known as ‘catechins’) have chemopreventive and photoprotective qualities (study). This means drinking or applying green tea (any kind will do) directly to your skin may help prevent UV light-induced skin disorders. Score!

But hang on a sec! Before you nix your sunscreen entirely and sip on green tea instead, you must know that although this great green stuff is all kinds of amazing for your skin, it’s still no substitute for sunscreen. Consider it the Robin to your Batman—great backup when you need it most.

Green tea can help ward off the effects of pollution.

Particle pollution, or particulate matter, is the term for the teensy-tiny solids and liquids secretly floating around in the air we live, work and play in. The types of particle pollution vary depending on where you live—big cities are the worst with all the car fumes, construction dust and other stuff floating around.

Wherever you call home, the main thing you need to know is you come into contact with particle pollution every single day. And as small as they are, these invaders can do a number on your skin.

Now, before you decide to never leave the house again, just get some green tea and you’re good to go! One of the many benefits of green tea is that it contains one of the most potent polyphenols ever: epigallocatchin‐3‐gallate (let’s call it EGCG for short!). EGCG works wonders against all kinds of pollutants that cause premature aging, inflammation and a whole host of other skin invaders and degraders.

Green tea can help clear up your skin.

Lucky for us, the amazing antioxidants found in green tea target all kinds of inflammatory free radicals in our skin by attacking them on a cellular level, which is so sci-fi-cool! They work FAST to help stop breakouts before they even start. And on the topic of breakouts, I’ve got to give a shout out to green tea’s tannins, too! Y’know that slightly bitter, astringent flavor most green teas have? Tannins! These marvelous bits of matter can shrink yo’ pores and reduce the production of sebum (the naturally oily stuff your skin makes that can cause pimples when pores get blocked).

On that note, here’s something I’d love for you to keep in mind: Inflammation of the skin can be stressful, painful and even embarrassing, but you must know it’s always an important message from your body. It’s flagging an issue whilst healing it at the same time. As hard as it can be, be open to listening to and loving every inch of your body. Embrace and get to know any inflammatory signals it sends you, and check with your doc if you suspect something’s up.

Now, let’s treat your skin to the benefits of green tea with my super simple DIY face mask…

Danielle’s DIY Matcha Face Mask

You need:

• 1 tablespoon plain, full-fat, non-dairy, probiotic-rich yogurt. Choose a brand with the highest amount of probiotics you can find OR crack open one probiotic capsule and mix the powder in with the yogurt. Avoid watery yogurts with lots of refined sugar, preservatives or other processed additives—a brand with a minimal list of ingredients is your best bet!
• 1 teaspoon finely ground green tea leaves/green tea powder. I used matcha powder for my mask, but any type of green tea will do. Opt for loose leaf (or just pop open a tea bag’s worth) and grind it in your coffee grinder to a fine powder.

You do:

• Mix everything together, then paint onto your fantastic face with a clean makeup brush.
• Leave for 10 minutes, just enough time to sip some green tea and maybe squeeze in a little meditation, too! Any of these will work wonders.
• When suitably relaxed and feelin’ fine, remove mask with a washcloth soaked in warm, skin-friendly-soapy water. Look in the mirror, admire your beauty and resume life with healthier, happier skin. Repeat once or twice a week.

Until next time, here’s cheers! I’m headed to the kitchen to make myself some tea.

Wow, thanks Danielle!

And thank YOU, gorgeous! I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about the benefits of green tea. Remember, you don’t have to drink the green stuff to take advantage of its curative superpowers!

Your turn: How do you like to get your green tea? Let me know in the comments below! And if you whip up Danielle’s DIY matcha face mask, share a picture of your gorgeous green face on Instagram—tag me @crazysexykris!

Peace & green goodness,