There are many different types of green tea extract out there, and these all boast some truly incredible properties.
From being able to lessen the visible aging process to treating oily skin and acne, take a look at a number of the ways in which green tea extract can impact the skin.
It is a Powerful Anti-Aging Ingredient
Whether you drink it or put it on topically to your skin, there is no denying that green tea is among the most powerful anti-aging ingredients out there.
What causes it to be so potent?
The proven fact that it contains a catechin called EGCG.
Never heard of EGCG before?
This is a compound that has been the focus of so many research, with researchers around the globe finding that EGCG has the ability to reactivate dying skin cells.
Of course, it's totally normal for the skin cells to die, as well as them to be replaced by the newer skin cells that your body has produced. This is whats called the cell regeneration cycle, but, sadly, this cycle slows down with age, meaning that you are playing dying skin cells at first glance of your skin for longer, producing a dull and rough complexion.
By using green tea, the EGCG compounds can re-energize and reactivate dying skin cells, therefore keeping them looking fresh and vibrant for extended.
However, there is more to green tea extract than its EGCG content when it comes to anti-aging…
Green teas are packed with an array of antioxidants, which are key with regards to aging skin.
Every day, toxins are created in your body, which come from from exposure to the sun to pollution.
Why have the freedom radicals so bad?
Well, they're basically molecules which are missing an electron, and in to replace this missing electron, they steal electrons from nearby cells. This then turns those cells into free radicals, and in order to heal themselves, they begin attacking other cells, triggering a vicious circle.
Antioxidants are the most useful method to cope with this, because they provide free radicals using the electron that they are missing, stopping them from attacking and damaging other cells.
While all tea contains antioxidants, green tea extract is one of the least processed of tea types, meaning that it has a few of the highest amounts of antioxidants, which is why green tea is much more widely used in skin care kinds of tea.
Wondering what happens should you just leave the free radicals to carry on attacking other cells?
This causes from wrinkles to sagging skin, because the free radicals will damage the skin cells at a deep DNA level, breaking down the collagen and elastin within them.
It Can Treat Acne
There already are a number of different options out there when it comes to acne treatments, but many of these contain harsh ingredients. If you are looking for something gentle and natural, green tea extract may be the approach to take.
How does green tea extract assistance to help treat acne problems?
Green tea has strong anti-inflammatory properties, and also, since one of many causes of acne breakouts are inflammation, this could immediately help to calm your skin, reduce redness and prevent breakouts.
Green tea is also full of polyphenolic compounds which are naturally anti-microbial and anti-bacterial, and therefore they could destroy any acne-causing bacteria on the skin before the bacteria actually has whenever to result in damage.
If all of that wasn't enough…
When used topically, green tea extract cuts down on the amount of sebum that the skin produces. Since the over-production of sebum is yet another huge trigger when it comes to acne, due to clogged pores, lowering the quantity of oil produced goes a long way in helping to avoid breakouts from occurring in the first place.
Is your acne caused by hormones?
Then you may have more luck drinking green tea extract instead of putting it on topically.
Why?
Because the EGCG in green tea can help to regulate your hormones and stop hormonal acne breakouts.
Don’t forget…
While green tea extract can help to treat acne, it is always vital that you also comprehend the real cause of the pimples, to be able to tackle this directly.
It Can Protect Skin from Sun Damage and Prevent Skin Cancer
It has for many years been understood that the polyphenols in green tea extract assistance to protect the guarana plant from UV damage, but recent reports have shown these compounds modify the skin in the same way too.
When applied topically, green tea is able to prevent, and even reverse, sun damage, therefore also preventing UV-induced skin cancer from developing.
Newer research has shown that these effects are magnified when green tea extract is consumed orally too, lessening the harm much more that the sun would have otherwise caused.
How exactly does green tea do that?
This is still being understood, only one of the ways that performs this is right down to its EGCG content.
These EGCG compounds prevent leukocytes from growing, that are white blood cells that usually indicate the beginnings of cancer of the skin.
EGCG also stimulates cancerous cells to perform apoptosis, which basically implies that they commit suicide and kill themselves. This shows that green tea not just prevents sun-damage in the skin, but also reverses existing damage which has recently been caused.
How Much Green tea extract Should You Be Drinking?
When you are looking at the amount of green tea extract that you should be drinking to see its full-range of advantages, the reply is still relatively unknown.
You might be thinking…
With all the research being carried out on green tea, surely dosage amounts ought to be extensively recorded by now?
With other ingredients, dosage might have definitely been a key focus, the main problem lies in the truth that there are so many different types of green tea extract available, with each one varying in potency.
Although the quantity of green tea that should be consumed every day varies between individuals, a tough guide to start off with could be between 3 to 5 cups a day for optimum benefits, although you will probably need to adjust this based on how your body reacts into it.
When it comes to choosing the best quality green tea extract to drink…
Many experts would recommend choosing a variety that has been grown and processed in Japan. Although China may be the largest producer of green tea in the world, it's also a really highly polluted country, and the tea plant easily absorbs contaminants in the soil and air, with lots of Chinese green tea extract varieties being found to contain lead.
The teas produced in Japan are generally much cleaner and purer, which means that they would benefit the body and skin in a much bigger way.
Wondering in case your green tea must be organic?
This would definitely benefit you. Tea plants are heavily sprayed with pesticides, so for that purest of products, an organic version is best.
Trying to decide between tea bags or loose leaf green tea extract?
The loose leaf version may be the one to choose. Loose green tea extract foliage is packed with a significantly higher-level of antioxidants than green tea extract bags, and therefore the loose leaves is going to be much more good for the skin.
If you don’t enjoy the taste of green tea…
Give a few of the other versions you have not tasted yet a go. Here are a few of the largest varieties:
- Sencha – this is the most typical form of green tea extract
- Gyokuro – it has a distinctive aroma, much like those of nori seaweed
- Genmaicha – this really is mixed with roasted and popped brown rice, passing on a savory flavor
- Hojicha – another green tea extract with a savory aroma, this one is easily drinkable and it is often favored by children
- Shincha – boasts a full-bodied, and fewer bitter, flavor because of its low catechin and caffeine content. While this might not be as beneficial for the skin, it still contains high levels of amino acids, that have their very own skin-boosting properties
What About Matcha?
Matcha is another kind of green tea extract, but is actually quite unique.
Matcha is grown and processed in different ways than other types of green tea extract, and is ground right into a finely textured powder, meaning that you're consuming the entire leaf, as opposed to just water that the leaves have been brewed in.
For this reason, matcha contains nutrients in a a lot more concentrated form, with just single serving of matcha tea offering you the same benefits that up to ten cups of green tea extract would.
Just like with the other forms of green tea extract, matcha can be consumed orally as well as applied topically, giving you a double dose of its benefits.
Are There Any Negative effects to Increasing Green Tea Consumption?
While green tea extract comes complete with an array of different health benefits, it may sometimes have a few side effects too.
The first could be right down to its caffeine content.
As you likely already know, drinking an excessive amount of caffeine can result in:
- Feelings of tension
- Lack rest
- Headaches
- Upset stomachs
With caffeine content varying with respect to the kind of tea you use, the amount of it you utilize, and just how long you leave it to steep for, the amount of caffeine you are actually consuming with each cup of green tea is quite hard to judge, so you will need to pay attention to how your body reacts into it.
Do you possess an iron deficiency?
If so, then you will definitely have to limit your consumption of green tea.
Why?
Because of the catechins there. Although they are key with regards to the tea’s health advantages, large quantities of catechins can occasionally avoid the body from properly absorbing iron in the foods that you eat, leading to iron deficiency anemia.
For those who are healthy, this should not be an issue, but if you're already struggling with an iron deficiency, then keep your green tea consumption for in between meals, waiting at least an hour or so after a meal before consuming green tea extract.
Although it is important to be familiar with along side it results of green tea, remember that these are quite rare, and, in most cases, the benefits will greatly outweigh any risks.
Using Green Tea Topically
In addition to drinking green tea, it's also wise to be using it topically on the skin should you actually want to experience the best results.
There are so many different products available which are formulated with green tea extract, with more and more becoming available as the benefits of this ingredient be more popular.
Here are a few of the most common products that you'll find containing green tea:
- Toners – green tea extract toners can in fact be rather effective, specifically for anyone who has oily skin or acne
- Serums – since serums have such a thin and lightweight consistency, saving money tea extract within them is able to quickly and easily penetrate to your skin
- Moisturizers – when a moisturizer is formulated with green tea extract, it is usually quite gentle and soothing, even though you need to focus on its other ingredients too
- Face masks – goggles are among the appropiate product types for topical green tea use, because these stick to your skin to have an longer timeframe of your time, giving the green tea additional time to actually work its magic
Of course, there is nothing stopping you from using multiple items that contain green tea, and these will increase the effects the ingredient will have on the skin.
Green tea affects the skin in several ways, and it has been clinically proven to achieve the ability to enhance the health insurance and appearance of the skin. From reducing fine lines and wrinkles to clearing up pimples, this is a powerful ingredient, but is a that's gentle enough to be used by all skin tones.
