Why we are asking this now?
The inclusion of green tea for health and beauty benefits is the top story of the recent times. Nowadays, many cosmetics and beauty products contain green tea extracts. Now, the question is how effective is green tea as an essential ingredient of beauty products. While scientific researches reveal that green tea is flooded with benefits, beauticians and beauty magazines cannot help praising the immense merits of green tea, practical experience always counts when you are to consider green tea as a skin care product and conclude concretely whether it is a fad or real.
What the research says?
Various studies on green tea and its effect on human health and skin show that it is great in neutralizing the effects of sun damage on skin. One such organization, named as the Western Reserve University, carried out an extensive research on human skin by applying a coat of green tea on exposed skin and exposing it to direct sunlight. The result that was found showed that at a concentration level of 4 milligrams, it promoted complete sun protection. Another study was carried on by American Chemical Society and it was revealed that green tea minimizes the chances of skin cancer. It was even found that green tea drinkers have 65 percent lesser risks of getting affected by squamash cell carcinoma. A study conducted by the researchers at Medical College of Georgia concluded that green tea rejuvenates the old cells that leads to the end of the life cycle.
The benefits
1. Green tea can be regarded as a storehouse of benefits for the skin. It contains a great deal of antioxidants, known as catechins, which are effective against free radicals. These free radicals, which are formed when the skin is exposed to the UV rays of the sun, are accountable for premature aging.
2. Green tea has also been found extremely effective in safeguarding the skin against sunburn and tanning when applied locally.
3. The antioxidants found in green tea is also responsible in combating skin cancer by blocking the cancer causing harmful enzyme, junk.
4. This wondrous natural component is also responsible for the cell renewal process. The aged keratinocytes cells are biologically energized by the polyphenol compounds in green team, which in turn, synthesize the DNA and prevent premature aging of the cells.
5. On occasions of skin inflammation, green tea acts as a great soother. It has also been found out that green tea shows notable improvements among cases of psoriasis and rosacea, accompanied by inflammation.
6. In cases of stubborn acne and pimples, green tea comes in great aid as the antibacterial content in it, known as catechins, reduces over stimulation of the skin hormones. Further, the overall appearance of the skin is also improved along with complexion when green tea is used as a drink or as a mask.
What can be done?
Going by the scientific research and the medical findings, it can be said that green tea as an effective skin care product cannot be totally ruled out. But in this regard, it is mandatory to keep in mind certain important factors. It is vital to read the label of the cosmetics that claim to contain green tea extracts to be sanguine of the percentage of the same in that particular product. You must remember that higher percentage of antioxidants in green tea products can oxidize when in contact with air. So, the product much contain right proportions of the same. Search the labels for “green tea extracts”, or “catechins” or EGCG”.
Although experts suggest that applying green tea mask directly on the face is the most effective sun guard, but no one will be willing to let go their usual sunscreen in favor of green tea. Those who wish to consume green tea as an antidote of cell carsinoma, most particularly squamash cell carcinoma, must drink at least two cups of the same if they wish to get the desired benefits. In this context, it is also essential to note that drinking green tea with a dash of lemon juice enhances its benefits further.
Some say that drinking tea also makes you look younger. Note carefully that green tea is not the sole catalyst that reverses the aging process. It is effective against individual skin cells and not all the cells of the face as a whole. Acne and pimples subside considerably with green tea treatment when a mask of the same is applied on to the face. Drinking green tea in such occasions is hardly of any help. Moreover, green tea cannot penetrate into the skin alone unless a carrier oil is mixed with it. Go for a light oil that will moisturize your skin but not clog the pores.