Apply green tea to your skin
How it works
Contains plant-based compounds and antioxidants that help treat acne when consumed or applied to the skin
May also help
Blood pressure levels
Blood sugar levels
Brain function
Healthy aging
High cholesterol
Inflammation
Metabolism and fat burning
Stress and anxiety
Tooth decay and bad breath
Safety
Generally safe for most people
Green tea is very high in antioxidants, and drinking it can promote good health.
It may also help reduce acne. This is likely because the polyphenols in green tea help fight bacteria and reduce inflammation, which are two main causes of acne (25Trusted Source).
There isn’t much research exploring the benefits of drinking green tea when it comes to acne, and more studies are needed.
In one small study with 80 women, participants took 1,500 mg of green tea extract daily for 4 weeks. By the end of the study, women who took the extract had less acne on their noses, chins, and around their mouths (26Trusted Source).
Research has also found that drinking green tea may lower blood sugar and insulin levels, which are factors that can contribute to the development of acne (27Trusted Source).
Many studies also indicate that applying green tea directly to the skin may help with acne.
Research shows that the main antioxidant in green tea — epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) — reduces sebum production, fights inflammation, and inhibits the growth of P. acnes in individuals with acne-prone skin (28Trusted Source).
Multiple studies have found that applying green tea extract to the skin significantly reduces sebum production and pimples in those with acne (29Trusted Source, 30, 31Trusted Source).
You can buy creams and lotions that contain green tea, but it’s just as easy to make your own mixture at home.
How to use it
Steep green tea in boiling water for 3–4 minutes.
Allow the tea to cool.
Using a cotton ball, apply the tea to your skin or pour it into a spray bottle to spritz it on.
Allow it to dry, then rinse it off with water and pat your skin dry.
You can also add the remaining tea leaves to honey and make a mask.