Did you know that it is possible to prepare an amazing green tea tonic? Green tea is one of the best known and most consumed teas today. It is the result of the infusion of green leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant . Its medicinal properties help fight a number of diseases, but what few people know is that the benefits of green tea also extend to the skin.
According to dermatologist Luíza Archer, green tea has an antioxidant action and, therefore, acts to prevent premature aging of the skin. In addition, it has antiseptic and astringent properties and also acts as a vascular tonic and anti-inflammatory.
“Green tea can be used in homemade recipes as a tonic, to control excessive oil, prevent premature aging and relieve bags around the eyes ”, says the doctor.
Table of Contents
How to prepare green tea tonic?
In order not to make a mistake when preparing your tonic, check out Luiza’s step-by-step instructions to make the recipe correctly:
- Soak 100 grams of green tea leaves in half a liter (500ml) of boiled water;
- Afterwards, let it rest in the refrigerator for 1 hour;
- Then, just strain and apply directly to the entire face with a cotton pad.
If the problem is bags under the eyes, the doctor recommends applying compresses in the region for 15 minutes. As for the frequency of use, she says it depends on each person. “For this reason, it is important to consult a trustworthy doctor who can assess the characteristics of the skin and properly guide the use of green tea”, he says.
The specialist also recommends another homemade recipe with green tea for those who want to prevent premature skin aging. It is made by mixing tea with yellow clay mask : “Mix the yellow clay with the cold green tea infusion and apply it to the face. Leave on until it starts to dry, and rinse with cold water. This recipe can be made once or twice a week, depending on each skin”, teaches Luiza.
Care and contraindications
Before preparing and using green tea tonic on the skin, you need to take certain precautions. One of the most important recommendations is in relation to not reusing the recipe, since the mixture must be discarded soon after use, and always made at the time it is used. “Its conservation is not recommended, even in a refrigerator, both because of the risk of losing its therapeutic properties and because of the risk of contamination”, explains Luiza.
In addition, the doctor also states that its use is not recommended on sensitive skin or in case of active skin diseases at the application site, such as dermatitis and rosacea. Another contraindication is allergy or sensitivity to green tea. “Be careful that the infusion is not too concentrated and is not irritating to the skin. If you present itching, burning and redness after the application, discontinue use and wash it thoroughly with cold water”, advises the doctor.
Other benefits of green tea
Green tea has been recognized for centuries for its extensive therapeutic and preventive applications. It is not unfermented and therefore has more conserved properties than other types of tea derived from the same plant, such as white tea and black tea.
Super versatile, it is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, as well as being recognized as one of the most powerful medicinal plants in the world for almost 5,000 years.
According to a survey carried out by students and professors at Esalq, USP’s Luiz de Queiroz School of Agriculture, green tea can be used by everyone, if consumed in moderation. Its effects have been proven to reduce cardiovascular disease, which makes the drink excellent for hypertensive patients. This is because the antioxidants in tea are able to inhibit the oxidation of so-called bad cholesterol. When taken, this tea is also able to improve blood circulation.
Research has also proven that green tea is a great ally in weight loss, when consumed in conjunction with physical exercise, especially weight training. The study found that consuming soluble green tea ten minutes before physical activity helps reduce fat and increase muscle mass.
It is also possible to use green tea in a compress to treat wounds or to wash your hair, taking care of the scalp, reducing seborrhea, controlling dandruff and oiliness .
Always take care of your skin
In addition to the benefits of green tea tonic, our skin needs other care to stay beautiful and healthy, especially the face. One of the main recommendations is to always use sunscreen, as radiation favors the appearance of skin diseases, spots , sagging and wrinkles. Therefore, it is essential to remember to apply the sunscreen daily in areas exposed to the sun.
“The ideal is to apply it around 15 minutes before leaving the house. A good tip is to leave the sunscreen inside the necessaire, in the bathroom sink and in the bag, to apply it whenever you are brushing your teeth, retouching your makeup or just checking it in the mirror. It is important that this becomes a habit.” explains Luiza.
Another key tip is to keep your skin hydrated at all times. Therefore, it is important to remember to hydrate every day after showering, using a good moisturizer, according to the type of each skin. “It is worth remembering that the hydration of the skin on the face is different from that of the body. Therefore, it is not good to use the same moisturizer in both regions”, emphasizes the dermatologist.
The doctor also suggests avoiding very hot baths, as hot water helps to dry the skin. In addition, excessive use of soaps and intense exfoliations are not recommended because they also affect hydration. “For those with oily skin, the ideal is to invest in oil free moisturizers, with a dry touch and quick absorption, suitable for oily skin. Those with drier skin need to be very careful in the application of specific lotions or moisturizing creams for dry skin, preferably 3 to 4 times a day”, he teaches.
In addition to external care, internal hydration is also very important for the skin. Therefore, the specialist says that it is essential to drink at least 2 liters of water a day. “Good hydration is capable of maintaining the integrity of the skin’s protective layer, preventing dryness. In this way, we prevent premature aging, diseases, skin irritations and peelings, and we also help to preserve elasticity. In addition, hydrated skin has a smoother and softer appearance”, emphasizes Luiza.
My name is Ellie Lauderdale, MD and I am USA based professional Nutritionist .
I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and board certified specialist in sports dietetics who is trained in integrative medicine. I have worked with hundreds of clients, from those suffering with chronic disease to professional and olympian athletes. My goal is to help optimize you from the inside so that you can feel, perform, and look your best on the outside.