Whether you're quitting a coffee habit or seeking a gentle 2 pm pick-me-up, green tea, known for its fragrance, flavor, and ability to enhance focus without inducing jitters, is a delightful beverage.

And since the prevalence of natural skin care, green tea has been a hot topic: while it’s gentle on skin, it can possess a wealth of benefits.

Is it the secret to our best skin yet?

Let’s break down what makes green tea so powerful.

What Gives Green Tea Its Benefits?

For centuries, people have consumed green tea, acknowledging its association with clarity, focus, and longevity. Beyond its visible attributes, green tea, a remarkable plant-based ingredient, holds even more value.

Amino acids, phytonutrients, and, most notably, antioxidants compose green tea.

And let’s not forget about caffeine, which can actually do wonders for our skin, believe it or not!

Researchers have observed its high versatility and studied it as an ingredient to aid conditions like acne, rosacea, and even signs of aging.

So let’s break down how the compounds in green tea help our skin!

Antioxidants: Your Skin’s Shield

You may have heard about how antioxidants are good for you, and that it has a lot of them.

But what exactly are antioxidants, and why are they so important for our skin?

Think of antioxidants as your first line of defense against free radicals.

Free radicals, like rust on metal, cause oxidative stress in your skin.

We encounter free radicals in our environment daily, and they’re virtually possible to avoid. 

Also, we can use antioxidants to combat oxidative stress in our bodies and on our skin.

Antioxidants are extremely helpful because they neutralize free radicals and prevent further damage. Antioxidants can vary in ability, though, and some can even reverse free radical damage over time

Green tea's antioxidants: Polyphenols and EGCG in focus.

Polyphenols: The Plant-Powered Antioxidant

Polyphenols, found in tea, cherries, coffee, and cacao, defend against free radicals and sun damage.

According to a 2010 study, polyphenols have been shown to possess photoprotective properties, which may even help reverse DNA damage caused by UV rays.

In addition, the polyphenols in green tea possess antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which can do wonders against acne, and may even help with defense against skin cancer, as noted in this study.

Also, polyphenols make up a huge group of antioxidants—in fact, there are over 8,000 different types, and one of these subgroups is known as catechins.

But when we talk about the catechins in green tea, we tend to focus on one in particular: EGCG.

EGCG: The Glow Booster

EGCG, or epigallocatechin, is one of the most potent compounds found in green tea, and it’s currently the most widely-researched type of catechin.

Your skin's ally against inflammation, EGCG, oiliness, redness, and acne.

In one study, it was demonstrated that EGCG can work as a gentle, yet effective treatment for acne by easing inflammation, reducing excess sebum production, and by inhibiting the spreading of P. acnes, AKA, the bacteria known for causing acne, in the skin.

EGCG is also a promising anti-aging ingredient. Study reveals EGCG promotes faster skin cell regeneration for a radiant glow.

Caffeine: Your Skin’s Ultimate Pick-Me-Up

Aside from the powerful antioxidants in green tea, caffeine also plays an important role in its effectiveness. 

Give your skin a caffeine boost for surprising benefits.

Caffeine applied topically boosts circulation, tightens vessels, and reduces puffiness.

Revitalize your skin with green tea, featured in our HD Corrective Concealer + Vitamin C.