How to Use Green Tea Topically for your Skin and Hair

Green tea has long been famed and admired for its incredible health benefits. Green tea, like black tea, comes from the Camellia Sinensis plant. Green Tea, however, is picked and dried without being fermented or going through oxidization. As a result, it contains a higher concentration of antioxidants.

Aside from drinking a simple cup of green tea, possibly the best way to consume it, there are lots of products on the market and recipes to be made that contain green tea. These, of course, focus on the health benefits of actually consuming green tea. However, there is research that suggests that using green tea topically can have beneficial effects on your skin and hair, too.

Green Tea Rinse for Your Hair

Source: holistichabits/YouTube

Green tea contains a specific type of antioxidant called catechins. It is these compounds that offer enormous health benefits. Aside from gaining these health benefits from actually drinking green tea, there is some evidence that suggests that applying green tea directly to your hair can aid in your scalp’s overall health.

Green tea is thought to bring extra nutrients to your scalp, which results in a reduction in hair loss and even growth stimulation.

One great way to get all those nutrients directly to your hair follicles is to make a simple green tea hair rinse. This is as easy as making a strong cup of green tea and allowing it to cool before applying it to your scalp whilst in the shower. Allow the rinse to sit in your hair for several minutes before washing it out with clean water.

Be careful if you take a glass jar of tea into the shower. Wet, soapy hands don’t mix well with glass!

Green Tea Face Mask

Face masks are wonderful when you want to feel pampered or like you’ve taken a trip to the spa. Without any expensive purchases, you can make a green tea face mask at home and give your face the attention it deserves.

Green tea face masks are thought to offer protection from sun damage and may even help to repair already damaged skin. As well, the B vitamins in green tea can help to promote firmness in the skin, while the vitamin E helps to moisturize your skin at the same time.

Green tea also is naturally anti-inflammatory, making it a good remedy for irritated, red, or inflamed skin.

For ease, you can simply apply cold, wet green tea teabags to your skin. Lay back with cold tea bags on your face and relax for 10-15 minutes.  Remove the tea bags and rinse your face clean afterward.

If you are looking for a true face mask, open up a green tea bag and empty the contents into a container. Next, add about a tablespoon of baking soda and little water. Mix everything together until it becomes a paste. Add more water or more baking soda until you get the desired consistency. You may add other ingredients, too, such as ground oatmeal or coconut oil.

Apply the paste to your face and gently massage it into the skin. Be very cautious if you have irritated skin. Leave the mask on your face for about 10-15 minutes before washing it off. Gently dry your face.

Green Tea Salve for Your Body

Source: Mountain Rose Herbs/YouTube

Salves are ideal to have around if you need a little extra moisture for your feet, knees, elbows, or any other dry spots on your body. They are also really easy to make. However, you will need to make a green tea-infused oil first. You can do this by buying loose green tea or opening up a bunch of green tea bags and getting some olive oil.

Empty the green tea leaves into a jar. It is hard to say how much to use as it depends on how much you want to make. Let’s say fill a pint jar half full with tea leaves. Next, cover the leaves entirely with olive oil. Make sure that all of the leaves are covered with oil before putting a lid on the jar. You can leave this to infuse for 4-6 weeks.

Once you have your green tea-infused oil, you can use it as is as a simple moisturizer. However, if you are looking for something with a thicker consistency, you can mix your oil with some vegan wax, such as candelilla wax or carnauba wax, and make a salve.

A good ratio is about 1 part wax to 4 parts oil. Melt your wax on a double burner before slowly adding the oil. Stir the mixture together and pour it into a glass or metal container with a lid. Let it cool completely before using. If your salve is too hard, remelt it and add a little more oil.  If your salve is too soft, remelt it and add a little more wax.

This article is for informational purposes only. Check with a medical professional before using home or herbal remedies. Always do a skin sensitivity test if using new products topically.

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