Ingredient Spotlight: Green Tea
Ingredient Spotlight: Green Tea, Skincare Benefits & History
Green tea is and has been a favorite ingredient in skincare products. I've been using a lot of products where green tea is the main star and today, we'll take a look at the brief history and skincare history of green tea.
Green Tea Use History
Green tea was discovered about 5,000 years ago in China. It is believed that the second emperor of China himself was the first to brew and drink green tea. At around 1560, a Portuguese priest got a hold of green tea (because exploration [read:colonization,probably also some murder]) and its use started spread throughout Europe.Today, black tea is consumed in Europe and North America while green tea is consumed throughout Asia.
Green Tea Composition and Physiological Benefits
Green tea is composed of polyphenols (catechins) which act as an anti-inflammatory. Green tea is also composed of amino acids as well as Vitamins A, C, and E.These properties help protect against free radicals. Free radicals are unstable and highly reactive molecules that attack macromolecules that lead to cell damage and disrupt homeostasis. Some studies have also found that green tea has helped prevent lung, colon, breast, ovary, and prostate cancer.There is also some evidence of green tea prevent cardiovascular diseases and help lower chances of heart attack or stroke.
Green Tea Skincare Benefits
While green tea has great physiological benefits, green tea's efficacy in skincare is subject to its production method, purity, extract strength, and dosage. When looking for skincare products containing green tea, opt for products with high-quality green tea extract. Also, make sure that there aren't an harmful chemicals in it that will harm your skin instead of help it.Dermatological benefits of green tea include:
Eye Puffiness Reduction- Because of green tea's caffeine properties and anti-inflammatory properties, it makes for a great eye puffiness reduction. My favorite eye cream is the Innisfree Green Tea Seed Eye Cream.
Sun Protection- Green tea also helps protect against sun damage b protecting against free radical damage.
Acne Prevention- Aside from being an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial, green tea contains natural astringents that decreases excess sebum production.
Anti-aging- So, green tea will not prevent you from aging but its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help slow the aging process and helps skin tone and appearance.
Green tea has amazing properties that will work not just for your skin but also for your overall health. I cannot recommend it enough. I enjoy my green tea eye cream to de-puff my eye area in the morning. It's also help calm down the redness and inflammation on my face. I love it, personally. I hope you guys can use it and go forth and conquer.
Resources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3249911/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92768/
http://www.apgroup.com/int/en/our-values/heritage-ingredients/green-tea.html