Green tea is said to be the healthiest beverage on the planet, according to healthline.com. Native to China and India, it has made a significant impression on the Western world. People add it to their nutritional breakfasts, as a daytime pick-me-up or whenever the time calls for a nice, hot cup of tea (rainy days, anyone?).
The most important use of green tea, indisputably, is for its many health benefits. But let’s not forget it’s a “vanity” ingredient, too. Not only is it good for our health, but for our skin and hair.
Let’s explore all three aspects to fully reap the benefits green tea has to offer.
Green Tea for Skin
You can find green tea in most beauty products – from skin to hair. Don’t worry, you’re not drinking the kool aid – it comes with a number of skin benefits, and they’re pretty amazing. Some of these benefits include:
- Dandruff Treatment – Don’t use a dandruff shampoo with questionable ingredients (unless you have a dandruff shampoo you can trust). Instead, try a green tea shampoo, which is said to be more effective. Just make sure to use the right shampoo with trustworthy ingredients. Those scalp flakes honestly won’t stand a chance.
- Psoriasis Treatment – The active ingredients in this herbal drink can treat many skin conditions, including psoriasis. Add some green tea extract in your skin care products, such as your moisturizer. In a matter of time, this will treat your skin condition.
- Green Tea Exfoliator: The dried leaves create a gentle exfoliator which is perfect for people with dry skin, sensitive skin or combination skin. We love this DIY green tea exfoliator. The ingredients, on top of the leaves, seem like they can make a real difference in sloughing off dead skin for a glowing complexion.
- Natural Skin Toner: It can be used as a toner to hydrate your skin and even your complexion. You can purchase a green tea toner or, better yet, make your own.
Green Tea for Hair
Men and women rave over green tea for its ability to grow hair, reduce hair loss and treat damaged hair. You can use it for your hair in a number of ways, the simplest being to drink a cup of tea a day. The antioxidant EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) increases hair growth. It also has enzymes that reduce DHT, a male sex hormone that causes baldness. Therefore, a cup or two a day is beneficial for anyone who wants to reduce hair loss and grow healthier hair.
B vitamin: Green tea contains panthenol (a provitamin derived from vitamin B5). You can often find this ingredient in most hair care products. It is a humectant, which means it attracts moisture from the air to keep your hair hydrated. Additionally, it softens your hair and makes it appear glossier, controls split ends and provides “slip”. This means that you are less likely to get knotted, tangled hair.
You can either drink green tea, or use a topical treatment such as tgin Leave in Conditioner to stimulate hair growth and improve the health of your hair.
Another simple method is to apply green tea directly to your hair in the form of a tea rinse/wash, which can elongate the hair follicle – just make sure to apply it to your scalp.
Green Tea for Health
When the phrase “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” was invented, I think they really meant a cup of green tea a day…The health benefits of green tea are numerous and highly effective. 2-3 cups of a day can:
- Reduce your risk of cancer
- Improve the health of your heart
- Lowerthe risk of type 2 diabetes
- Increase weight loss
- Improve arthritis pain
- Regulate blood pressure
No matter what your age, or whether you’re using green tea for health, to amp up your beauty routine, or both, it’s safe to say we can all benefit from this herbal delight.
