Are you the kind of person who likes to recycle every bit of their life? You regift anything unwanted, use a T-shirt until it becomes a rag, and insist on always bringing your own bulk bins to the grocery store. If so, you’ll be excited to know that all of those tea bags that you throw away also have dozens of other purposes in your everyday life.

Green tea, especially, has a long and rich history. Its most natural form was discovered in China roughly 5,000 years ago. Back then, it was used to treat digestive problems, aches, and weak immune systems. Today, it’s used in hundreds of different ways for dozens of maladies.

Tea is loaded with antioxidants and also has antibacterial, as well as anti-inflammatory properties. It’s already used in hundreds of skincare brands available everywhere from drugstores to luxury spas; but have you ever used tea as a skincare product on its own? It might seem a little strange applying a tea bag to your eyes or to a sunburn, but reusing items in your own home is the epitome of being eco-friendly. Try utilizing tea in your skincare routine by using these tips below!

Spray It

Are you out of your favorite toner? Use a tea bag over your trouble zones as an astringent, a solution that can help tighten your skin. Wipe the tea bag across your face and blot away with a towel.

Dab It

The tannins in the tea can help reduce puffiness, as well as get rid of undereye circles. Simply soak a tea bag in warm water and place on your eyes for 20 minutes.

Steam It

Create your own luxury facial steam with a bowl of hot tea! Add a few cups of hot water into a bowl, drop in a few tea bags, and place your face over the bowl for five to 10 minutes. Allow your pores to naturally soak in all of the antioxidants and hydrate your skin.

Soak It

The antibacterial properties come into play when you soak your smelly, sweaty feet in a tea bath. Soak your feet in strongly-brewed tea for 20 minutes, and voila!

Calm It

Whether you have a child who just lost their first tooth or you’re an adult with a mouth sore, applying a used, cooled tea bag to the problem area will ease the pain. The tannins help restrict the blood vessels which can stop any bleeding and reduce swelling. Tea bags can also reduce itching produced by any rashes or insect bites.

Rinse It

Rinsing your hair with tea can give it shine and make it easier to manage. However, please note that this only works for darker hair colors as tea will likely temporarily dye lighter hair colors.

Shrink It

You already know that tannins can help reduce puffy eyes and swelling, but it can also shrink warts and boils. Apply a warm bag to the problem area a few times a day until it disappears!

And Finally … Drink It

Tea can help you reduce inflammation from the inside out. Instead of tackling the inflammation and redness from the outside, try preventing it before it happens. Drinking tea can help prevent retaining water all over your body as well as make you look and feel thinner. Additionally, tea is also an anti-allergen. Any usual allergic response that could show in your skin could be prevented by quercetin, a flavonol in black tea.

Endless Benefits

So many benefits, so little time. We’re lucky that tea is so inexpensive and easy to obtain that you can immediately add these tips into your skincare routine for cents on the dollar. Take a sip, then try these DIY tips!

Image source: Serhii Brovko/Shutterstock