Beautiful Benefits of Green Tea

At Pharmacopia, we know firsthand the power of plants for the skin and hair. That’s why we harness so many of them for our better-for-you body care products. And that’s also why we love to share the scientific research behind just why botanical ingredients are better for your health—and why they work. One of the amazing plants we want to share more about is green tea (or camellia sinensis).

This small evergreen shrub, with bright, shiny leaves and white flowers, is chock-full of powerful plant substances that can benefit the body—and the skin. That’s why we included green tea in our Argan Oil Body Wash and Argan Oil Body Lotion, both part of our Hyatt Hotels Collection.

What are the benefits of green tea for the skin?

While there’s plenty of research on the powerful benefits of camellia sinensis, traditional Chinese medicine has looked to this powerful plant for its health benefits for thousands of years—for good reason.

While many types of tea come from the camellia sinensis plant (i.e., black tea, white tea, yellow tea, and oolong team), it’s green tea that’s particularly rich in health benefits. That’s because green tea comes from the unoxidized or unprocessed leaves of the plant. (Oxidation is a process that exposes tea leaves to air to dry and darken them for flavor and aroma.)

Not being oxidized helps preserve the powerful health-promoting antioxidants and polyphenols called catechins in green tea. It’s these plant-based substances that help to prevent cellular damage and may be involved in boosting overall health.

Some of the powerful health benefits:

1. Green tea helps protect the skin from damage. Because of its potent antioxidants, green tea helps protect cells against damage from free radicals. These harmful molecules are generated by the body as a result of exposure to environmental triggers like the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays and air pollution. Free radicals can cause cellular damage in the body—and on the skin. They may also trigger redness and inflammation. Free radicals can also cause a breakdown of collagen in the skin, causing uneven skin tone and premature aging.

For a quick home spa treatment: Try steeping green tea in hot, but not boiling, water for about two to three minutes. (Green tea leaves are delicate and shouldn’t be exposed to boiling water). Squeeze the tea bags to remove liquid, and place them in the refrigerator for up to 20 minutes. Then relax with eyes closed and the tea bags on your eyes for 20 to 30 minutes, being sure to take deep, calming breaths in the process. This treatment can soothe tired eyes and may help reduce swelling around the eyes.

2. Green tea helps reduce redness, irritation, and swelling triggered by inflammation. Green tea’s antioxidants are anti-inflammatory, helping to calm skin that’s easily irritated. This is just one reason our Argan Oil Body Lotion is so good for sensitive skin. The healing aloe and soothing argan found in it also helps to soothe the skin.

For extra soothing: Try turning down the lights, lighting a candle, and slowly massaging our Argan Oil Body Lotion into legs and arms. Gentle massage strokes will help to reduce stress and allow the lotion to be absorbed into the skin.

3. Green tea helps reduce the signs of aging. Some studies suggest that green tea extract may help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by promoting collagen production and maintaining skin elasticity.

For an extra green tea boost: Use our nourishing Argan Oil Body Wash and Argan Oil Body Lotion daily to help keep skin hydrated and youthful looking. And add a cup of green tea to your daily diet to help to further promote both inner and outer beauty.

4. Green tea helps control oil in the skin. Green tea extract has been shown to help regulate sebum production, making it beneficial for people with oily or acne-prone skin.

While the job of all body washes is to help cleanse the skin of oils and dirt, our Argan Oil Body Wash with green tea—as well as soothing chamomile, coconut oil, and aloe vera—helps keep the skin balanced as well.

For an extra oil-controlling boost: Gently suds up with our Argan Oil Body Wash in the shower, then finish with a blast of cool water. The cool water will help to invigorate the skin and shrink the pores.

5. Green tea helps protect against the sun’s harmful UV rays. The polyphenols in green tea extract have been found to provide some protection against UV-induced inflammatory damage, although products with green tea shouldn’t be used as a substitute for sunscreen.

For daily protection: Keep skin hydrated with a daily body lotion like our Argan Oil Body Lotion under regular sunscreen (we recommend natural, mineral-based sun protection). This may help to keep skin soft and better protected from the sun.

So many plants have powerful benefits for the skin and the body. But green tea in particular has been shown to promote healing, reduce inflammation, and rejuvenate the skin: lots of benefits for a small, but mighty, plant!