Green tea is a jack of all trades—when consumed, its free radicals can fight heart disease and cancer, and when applied topically, it can help to hydrate, exfoliate and strengthen both hair and skin. So it’s no surprise that it is a popular ingredient in scrubs, face masks, hair serums and eye gels across the board. In fact, the abundance of Vitamin B12 in green tea helps maintain the collagen in skin, which preserves its youthfulness. “The topical application of green tea helps in reducing all form of inflammation and redness, therefore reducing the acne naturally,” informs Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, consultant dermatologist, MedLinks. Epigallocatechin Gallate or EGCG, one of the most powerful compounds in tea, helps to repair the damage caused by the UV rays due to its antioxidant properties.
Green tea works as a strengthening elixir for hair as well. “Teas have polyphenols and are rich in catechins, which help in reducing the DTH hormone that is the main cause for hair fall and hair thinning. Furthermore, green tea is commonly found in hair care ranges as the theanine present helps reduce split ends,” adds Dr Chaturvedi. We put together five DIY recipes with green tea as the hero ingredient to fix your skin and hair woes.
A de-puffing treatment for tired eyes
“Brew green tea and then freeze them into ice cubes,” suggests Dr Geetika Mittal Gupta, founder and medical director, ISAAC. She recommends using matcha green tea for its superior caffeine content. “The natural caffeine found in green tea will immediately help constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling in the area,” she explains.
A refreshing toner for inflamed skin
EGCG acts as an antibacterial agent that is able to reduce P.acnes bacteria on the surface of the skin. Due to its astringent qualities, green tea also decreases excess sebum production and reduces inflammation, and can soothe and calm skin conditions like rosacea and psoriasis because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Mix green tea with rose water and aloe vera gel, and then sweep onto the face with a cotton pad. It’ll leave skin refreshed and toned every time.
A strengthening hair tonic
“Just like chamomile, peppermint and hibiscus, green tea too helps to maintain hair texture and health. Apart from its antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiviral properties, a catechin EGCG helps control hair fall when directly applied on the roots. Panthenol, a form of Vitamin B12 present in green tea, helps prevent split-ends,” states Dr Gupta. Customise your hair tonic by mixing brewed green tea with honey to boost shine, or lemon to curb dandruff.
A moisturising face mask for parched skin
The rich amount of polyphenols in green tea deliver antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to the skin. “This can help to slow down the ageing process by maintaining the vitality of the skin and improving skin tone,” says Dr Gupta. Mix green tea with a smashed avocado to create a smooth mixture that hydrates, softens and plumps skin.
An exfoliating green tea body scrub
Slough off the dead skin, grime and dirt from the body while improving circulation with a green tea scrub. Whip up ground green tea leaves with sugar crystals and yoghurt. By drawing needed nutrients into pores, the antioxidants can help revitalise a dull appearance, as the caffeine encourages better circulation, thus providing a tightening effect.
