Green tea is made from freshly harvested tea leaves that are not fermented. Its health benefits are mainly attributed to its polyphenol content particularly flavanols and flavonols, which represent 30% of fresh leaf dry weight. Though this has many benefits on your body, today let’s see the good green tea has to offer to the skin.
- Polyphenols present in green tea alter the physicochemical features of the cells in the skin and prevent the acceleration of photoaging.
- Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) present in green tea reduces the number of cells affected by sunburn.
- Green tea extract when applied to the skin leads to lesser DNA damage due to its high antioxidant property, protecting the skin from environmental damage.
- Catechins in green tea have antifungal activity and when combined with antimycotics improve the treatment.
- Regular consumption of green tea has been shown to reduce the risk of skin tumors.
- This is considered useful for insect stings mainly due to its anti-inflammatory effects and its capacity to stop bleeding.
- An ointment containing green tea extract with a high content of EGCG has been shown to be highly effective in the treatment of genital warts.
- In cases of Atopic dermatitis (Eczema) application of green tea, extracts have proven to reduce pruritus (itching).
- Green tea also has anti-infective properties, which additionally enhance wound healing.
- The main polyphenol component of green tea, EGCG, has antioxidant, immunomodulatory and photoprotective properties. It is helpful in reducing the redness in conditions like Acne and Rosacea as it has marked antiangiogenic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Green is well researched and the effects of long time use are well proven.