Photo: Imaxtree
When you’re sick, you make a cup of ginger tea to comfort you (and your stomach). When you can’t sleep, you whip up a cup of chamomile to relax. When you need an energy boost, there’s caffeine-packed tea of all types. And when you’re eating sushi, you never let that little cup of Japanese green tea go empty.
For every ailment, mood, or time of day, there’s a tea. But, in the organic and natural skin care world, tea is so much more than all of these things. Tea is one of the most natural ways to strengthen, brighten, tighten, and tone your skin – from the inside out.
Not all teas are created equal, though. To have the most impact, you need to know the best tea for skin. Below we’ll tell you all about the best beauty tea, what they target, and why you need to start drinking more of this ancient stuff.
ROOIBOS
Rich in alpha hydroxy and zinc, the former revitalizes skin and targets the visible signs of aging while the latter has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce breakouts, heals wounds, and also protects against UV. Rooibos is also high in the antioxidants aspalathin and nothofagin, which protect your skin from free radicals. And last but certainly not least, rooibos increases blood circulation which can help make your skin more plump and supple.
WHITE TEA
Because white tea is left mostly unprocessed after picking, it contains more catechins than other teas. And catechins are powerful antioxidants that protect your skin from free radical damage. But white tea has another secret power: it inhibits the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) enzymes. That matters because MMPs attack collagen and elastin, which has a direct affect on fine lines, wrinkles, and skin firmness.
GREEN TEA
Green tea contains high levels of EGCG, an antioxidant that’s known to fight DNA damage from UV rays and, in turn, combats the signs of aging such as hyperpigmentation. It has anti-inflammatory properties and helps shrink blood vessels, both of which lead to reduced redness, swelling, and irritation (especially great for treating dark circles and puffy eyes). This type of tea is also an antibacterial agent that combats acne. You’ll also benefit from vitamins B2 and E, which support hydration, cell regeneration, and collagen production.
HIBISCUS
If anti-aging and/or skin sensitivities are your biggest concerns, Hibiscus has properties that target both. In terms of the visible signs of aging, hibiscus firms your skin by inhibiting the activity of the elastase enzyme which breaks down elastin, the citric and malic acids in the flower help with cell turnover and regeneration, and its antioxidant anthocyanocides fight free radical damage and purify your complexion. And for sensitive skin, those same antioxidants have anti-inflammatory properties that soothe inflamed skin. Plus, it has a high concentration of mucilage, a natural skin moisturizer that’s perfect for skin sensitivities.
CHAMOMILE
The aroma of chamomile alone has benefits for stress relief, but if you suffer from eczema or psoriasis, that relief comes in the form of powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Chamomile contains high amounts of a-bisabolol and chamazulene, the therapeutic benefits of which include significant reductions in skin inflammation. But those compounds also contain anti-bacterial properties that make it great for clearing up acne. Combined with the skin lightening properties of flavonoids and wound healing abilities of this tea, chamomile restores all aspects of your complexion, even if you suffer from a serious skin condition.
ROSEHIPS
High in anti-aging antioxidants including the antioxidant powerhouse lycopene, you’ve probably seen rosehips in plenty of creams, serums, lotions, and moisturizers.This tea also contains a significant amount of vitamin C, which brighten the skintone, encourages collagen production, and supports cell regeneration and turnover in the gentlest of exfoliations.
TUMERIC
The two main benefits of turmeric are its effects on brightening your complexion and it’s healing abilities. It’s believed that turmeric’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties are what contributes to its ability to bring out your natural glow. But part of that complexion-correcting comes from reducing redness, evening skin tone and even balancing your sebum production. But turmeric also has healing properties that make it an excellent choice for soothing and preventing flare ups associated with eczema, psoriasis, alopecia, and lichen planus.
GOJI BERRY
Goji berries have one of the highest oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values of any superfood, making them the most potent antioxidants out there, and with an anti-aging strength bar none. But goji berries are a superfood for more than their antioxidant power. They also contain 11 of the 12 essential dietary trace minerals that contribute to firmer, tighter, and plumper skin. And they’re a major source of amino acids, vitamin C, carotenoids, and polysaccharides, which help with everything from hydration to skin tone and age spots.
GINGER
The 40 antioxidants contained in ginger make it well-known as a spice that heals. That healing extends from hyperpigmentation to scars and elasticity to free radical damage. It’s another anti-inflammatory that contains compounds known as shaogals and gingerols, both of which have positive effects on acne and psoriasis. And one of the very unique properties of ginger is its ability to promote blood circulation, which helps prevent sores and strengthen thinning skin.
YERBA MATE
Yerba Mate is so high in caffeine that it stimulates blood circulation when applied topically – so it can treat the dark under-eye circles that even the best night creams can’t get at. But it also contains high amounts of vitamins A, B1, B2 and C, which benefit skin firmness, collagen production, discoloration, and of course, free radical damage. More than that, Yerba Mate has polyphenols, chlorophyll, fatty acids, which air in skin clearing and regulating oil production.
BURDOCK ROOT
The anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties of Burdock Root are so prevalent that it can heal topical burns. That translates to a tea that’s strong enough to treat conditions like psoriasis, acne, and eczema. And the antioxidants contained in Burdock do more than just fight free radicals. The antioxidants quercetin and luteolin combine with flavonoids to purify your blood by eliminating microbes. Not only does this prevent inflection, but better blood flow, and cleaner blood in general, perfects your complexion from the deepest layers of your body.
BEST BEAUTY TEA FOR SKIN
DavidsTea Tumeric Glow $20
David’s combines the complexion brightening of turmeric with the blood circulation benefits of ginger for a loose-leaf tea designed to bring your complexion back to life and restore a healthy glow. The addition of carrots, pineapple, beetroot, and sweet blackberry leaf give the tea an earthy, sweet, and zingy flavor that’s packed with extra anti-inflammation and antioxidants to protect your new glow from future free radical damage.
Republic Of Tea Get Gorgeous $12
This set of 36 tea bags is naturally caffeine-free and packed with all the acne and blemish fighting ingredients you could ask for. With the antibacterial benefits of rooibos, the exfoliation of hibiscus, and the purification of burdock root, acne-causing bacteria, dead skin cells, dirt, and oil don’t stand a chance. And when those teas have done their job of staving away the breakouts, orange peel brightens your new-found complexion.
BIG T NYC Tell-Tale Glow White Tea $37.99
100% organic, this couture loose-leaf tea has zero calories and tons of antioxidant benefits to prevent and correct free radical damage. The premium tea leaves are grown in the Dunsandle region of South India, where it’s harvested, left unprocessed to keep all the antioxidant benefits intact, and then blended with goji berries, elderberries, and Zante currants. Not only do all those berries make for a fruit infusion that’s refreshing on the palette and the mind, they also lend even more antioxidant benefits, for compounded free-radical control.
Kusmi Tea BB Detox Tea $24.90
Available in loose leaf as well as tea bags, Kusmi has blended green tea, yerba mate, and rooibos for a whole-body detox that also targets the signs of aging. Both green tea and yerba deliver essential vitamins like B2, E, and C to protect skin, heal damage, and brighten complexion, while rooibos increases blood circulation for plumper-looking skin. With just a hint of grapefruit, the citrus aroma and flavor is perfect for daytime beauty breaks.
Justea Little Berry Hibiscus $14.99
Pink hibiscus, purple berries, green lemongrass, and red rooibos lend themselves to a bright burst of color and tasting notes that are vibrant and tart with a touch of sweetness coming from the hibiscus and berries. But the color and flavors of this anti-inflammatory and anti-aging dynamo aren’t even what we love the most. Justea is non-GMO, pesticide-free, and made without artificial color and flavor. And beyond being environmentally and health-conscious, this naturally caffeine-free loose leaf is direct-fair-trade, meaning that it’s purchased directly from the farmers that grow and hand-pluck it.
Yogi Cinamon Vanilla Healthy Skin Tea $7.89
Yogi Tea has its roots in Ayurvedic traditions brought to the west by Yogi Bhajan, who affectionately served his students this tea to enhance their inner calmness, serenity, and ability to be mindful during their yogic practice. Based on the original recipe, this vanilla and cinnamon tea has a warm aroma and earthy flavors that also help clarify skin from the inside out.
Olive & June Beauty Tea Duo $38
What’s better than the best beauty tea? Two of the best beauty tea’s in one convenient duo, of course! This duo contains two 15-sachet canisters, one packed with matcha, rosehip, and horsetail, and the other with lavender, mint leaves, and horsetail. Rosy Matcha is a mood-boosting tea that protects skin and brightens complexion with rosehips. And when you need something more clarifying and calming, Minty Lavender has that effect on your senses and a detoxifying effect on your skin.
FINAL THOUGHTS
We often think of skincare as an outside-in process. As in, you apply a product topically, it’s absorbed by your skin, and then you get the benefits. But skincare really starts with what you put into your body – and there’s not a skin condition out there without a complimentary herb, plant, or flower that can be made into a tea. Beauty really does start on the inside, and you can give it a boost with just a cuppa per day.
