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The beauty benefits of Green Tea
 Traditionally, many types of
make-up,
lotions, creams and
beauty preparations have used chemical
antioxidants, or
vitamins A,
C and
E as
preservatives for their products. Now, with research indicating that green tea
has even more antioxidant properties than these powerful
vitamins, there is a
surge in products capitalising on its natural benefits.
Green Tea most active ingredients are known as flavanols, polyphenols and
epigallocatechin gallate (or EGCG for short). EGCG is so potent, because it
contains between 25 to 100 times the antioxidant power of vitamins C and A.
You don't need to rush to the chemist to stock up on goodies.
Concentrated green tea extract is simple to make at home and is a flexible
addition to both your daily beauty routine and your medicine cabinet.
Skincare Benefits
 Green tea extract is 20 times more antioxidant powerful than vitamin C and
provides superior protection from free radical damage. This defense against free
radicals is especially important for sun protection. Studies have shown that a
product containing at least 5 percent green tea extract may help prevent
skin
cancer when applied before
sun exposure along with
sunscreen. Applying green tea before your
sunscreen, or combining it with zinc
oxide-based sunscreens should prove beneficial. If you already have a sunburn,
try an at-home green tea concoction to soothe the
skin: Brew a pot of green tea,
using the leaves if possible. Then strain the brew, chill the tea and soak the
tea into a soft cloth to create a green tea compress.
 Green tea may be valuable as an
acne treatment. Research suggests that green
tea extract cream is just as effective as benzoyl peroxide cream, minus the
irritating side effects. Benzoyl peroxide present acts as both a drying and a
peeling agent: it allows the outer layers of skin to renew themselves and clear
pores, reducing much of the bacteria responsible for acne breakouts. But for
those with sensitive skin, benzoyl peroxide can cause
skin irritations like
redness, burning and swelling. Green tea doesn't appear to have these side
effects.
Green tea might also help to heal rosacea. In one study, women who used a
topical green tea treatment experienced a 70 percent improvement in their skin.
You can always talk to your dermatologist about possibly adding a green tea
formula to your treatment.
Green tea can even help prevent tooth decay! Just as its
bacteria-destroying abilities can help prevent food poisoning, it can also kill
the bacteria that causes dental plaque.
Meanwhile, skin preparations containing green tea - from deodorants to
creams - are starting to appear on the market.
Try Refreshing facemask
This gentle facemask will help remove toxins from your skin, as well as leaving
it silky smooth.
Mix three tablespoons of mayonnaise with one heaped teaspoon of organic
Himalayan green tea leaves. Apply evenly to the face, avoiding the delicate
eye
area, and leave for 20 minutes. Rinse the mask off, then dry and moisturize your
face.
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