Can Green Tea Help Treat Acne? How To Use It

Green tea is excellent for maintaining your overall health. It is also used in skin care products for its skin-soothing benefits. However, there have been claims that using green tea for acne can help ease the symptoms. Is there any truth to the claim?

Green tea is rich in polyphenols, a type of potent antioxidant. According to a study, topical tea polyphenols may soothe and heal mild to moderate acne (1). Moreover, there are other beneficial compounds in green tea, which may help reduce inflammation and soothe acne-prone skin. It is also safe for sensitive skin and does not irritate skin. It is also a common ingredient in many skin detoxification products.

While you can consume green tea, you can also use it topically to soothe mild to moderate acne. Scroll down to learn the ways green tea may work for your acne and DIY remedies you may try.

Does Green Tea Help Acne? What Are The Benefits?

Yes, green tea benefits extend to combating acne-causing bacteria and giving you clear and healthy skin. Read more about it in detail below.

1. It Helps Reduce Inflammation

Green tea is rich in catechins.

Out of the four major catechins identified in green tea, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has been found to be beneficial in treating acne and rosacea. It works by reducing inflammation. In a study, the application of 2% green tea lotion was found to reduce inflammatory acne (1).

EGCG is a powerful antioxidant and has immunomodulatory and photoprotective properties. It also has antiangiogenic (meaning, it reduces the growth of new blood vessels needed by the tumors for growth) and anti-inflammatory effects (2).

Quick Tip

Green tea is extracted from fresh leaves in a way that prevents oxidation of its polyphenolic compounds, leading to its high catechin content (1).

2. It Helps Reduce Sebum Production

Excess production of sebumⁱ  The natural oils produced by sebaceous glands that keep your skin hydrated. is one of the main causes of acne.

The topical application of green tea can help in reducing sebum secretion and treating acne.

A study involving 22 non-smoking, healthy men examined the effect of a 5% topical green tea extract for 60 days. The researchers found a significant reduction in sebum secretion (1).

Drinking green tea may also help in reducing sebum production and control acne.

Did You Know?

Sebaceous glands, which produce sebum, are located all over the human body. The most common places for acne breakouts have more sebaceous glands, like the face, back, shoulders, chest, and scalp.

3. The Polyphenols In Green Tea Help Reduce Acne

Green tea polyphenols are potent antioxidants.

A clinical trial examined the effect of 2% tea lotion on 47 subjects with mild to moderate acne. After two weeks, the researchers observed a therapeutic effect on acne lesions (1).

Trivia

Polyphenols have anti-inflammatory properties that can help manage acne and protect the skin from UV damage (1).

4. It Helps Reduce Acne-causing Bacteria

An 8-week study found that EGCG, one of the four major catechins in green tea, could help reduce acne by inhibiting the growth of P. acnes bacteria (3).

Aside from these properties that help reduce acne, it also has other advantages for your skin, such as sun protection. The antioxidants present in green tea, such as catechins, can help safeguard your skin from harmful UV rays (4). When applied topically, green tea extracts can act as a protective shield against sunburn and skin damage (5). In addition, consuming green tea regularly may enhance the skin’s ability to defend itself against UV radiation from within (6).

However, it is important to note that while green tea can complement your sunscreen regimen, it should not replace it entirely. For optimal sun protection, combine it with a broad-spectrum sunscreen, protective clothing, and adequate use of shade.

These studies are not conclusive, and further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness and benefits of green tea on acne. Also, note that green tea or any other home remedy may not work for cystic and hormonal acne. You need to consult a doctor for proper treatment.

However, if you have mild to moderate acne, you may try using (or consuming) green tea at home to manage your condition. Here are a few recipes that you may try at home.

How To Use Green Tea For Acne: Easy Home Remedies

1. Honey And Green Tea For Acne

Honey has antimicrobialⁱ  Preventing the spread of microorganisms like viruses, bacteria, and fungi that cause infections and diseases. and wound-healing properties. It can inhibit the growth of P. acnes bacteria and help reduce acne (7).

You Will Need

• 1 green tea bag
• 1 tablespoon organic honey
• Hot water
• Facial cleanser
• Towel

Method

1. Steep a green tea bag in hot water for about 3 minutes.
2.  Remove the bag and let it cool. Cut open the bag and extract the leaves.
3.  Add the honey to the leaves.
4.  Wash your face with a facial cleanser and pat it dry.
5.  Apply the honey and green tea mixture to your face and leave it on for about 20 minutes.
6. Rinse with cool water and pat dry.

How Often?

• 3-4 times a week.

2. Green Tea Face Mist For Acne

This facial mist will help soothe your skin. It helps minimize skin redness and treats existing acne. It also boosts skin rejuvenation and skin brightening. The EGCG in green tea helps manage acne. This pimple treatment can be more effective if you also consume green tea regularly.

You Will Need

• Facial cleanser
• Green tea
• Spray bottle
• Non-comedogenicⁱ  A product or ingredient that does not clog skin pores. moisturizer
• Towel

Method

1. Brew some green tea and let it cool completely. (You can drink most of it and spare 2-3 tablespoons for this treatment.)
2. Pour the cooled green tea into a spray bottle.
3. Wash your face with a facial cleanser and pat it dry with a towel.
4. Spritz the green tea on your face and let it dry.
5. Rinse with cold water and pat your skin dry with a towel.
6.  Apply moisturizer.

How Often?

• 2 times a day.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar And Green Tea For Acne

There is no study proving the acne-fighting abilities of ACV. However, ACV is a popular home remedy for various skin issues. It is thought to help with skin toning and minimize skin pores. It may also balance the pH levels of your skin. You can use this concoction as a facial toner after skin cleansing. It is also a good and safe topical treatment for acne rosacea.

You Will Need

• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• ¾ cup brewed green tea
• Non-comedogenic moisturizer
• Facial cleanser
• Towel
• Cotton pad
• Glass jar

Method

1. Brew some green tea and let it cool completely.
2. Combine the cooled green tea and apple cider vinegar and pour it into a glass jar for storage. (Store the mixture in your fridge.)
3.  Wash your face with a facial cleanser and pat it dry with a towel.
4. Saturate a cotton pad with the mixture and dab it on your face. Let it dry.
5.  Apply moisturizer.

How Often?

• 2 times a day.

4. Tea Tree Oil And Green Tea For Acne

Topical tea tree oil (5%) is known to be an effective treatment for mild to moderate acne (8). It has strong antimicrobial properties that are effective against acne. Tea tree oil is one of the most popular essential oils for acne due to its ability to reduce inflammation and eliminate bacteria.

You Will Need

• ½ cup green tea
• 3-4 drops tea tree essential oil
• Cotton pad
• Facial cleanser
• Non-comedogenic moisturizer
• Towel

Method

1. Brew some green tea and let it cool completely.
2. Combine the cooled green tea and tea tree oil and pour it into a glass jar for storage. (Store the mixture in your fridge.)
3.  Wash your face with a facial cleanser and pat it dry with a towel.
4. Saturate a cotton pad with the mixture and dab it on your face. Let it dry. Shake well before using.
5. Apply moisturizer.

How Often?

• 2 times a day.

Tiffany, a blogger, shared her experience of using a concoction of green tea and tea tree to manage her acne and improve her overall skin health. She said, “ I happen to love this recipe as the cleanser lathers nicely, takes off all of my makeup, and leaves my skin feeling soft and clean, without drying it out (i).”

5. Aloe Vera And Green Tea For Acne

Aloe vera has an anti-acne effect on the skin. The mucopolysaccharidesⁱ  Sugar molecule chains present throughout the body, especially in the mucus and fluids around the joints. present in it boost skin hydration by binding moisture to the skin and stimulating the fibroblastsⁱ  Cells that form connective tissues and produce collagen proteins that uphold the tissue connectivity framework. that produce collagen and elastin to keep your skin young and plump (9).

You Will Need

• 2 green tea bags
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon fresh aloe vera gel
• Cotton pad
• Facial cleanser
• Non-comedogenic moisturizer
• Towel

Method

1. Steep two bags of green tea in a cup of boiling water to get a strong solution. Allow the solution to cool.
2. Combine the cooled green tea and aloe vera gel and pour it into a glass jar for storage. (Store the mixture in your fridge.)
3. Wash your face with a facial cleanser and pat it dry with a towel.
4. Saturate a cotton pad with the mixture and dab it onto your face. Let it dry.
5. Apply your moisturizer.

How Often?

• 2 times a day.

6. Lemon And Green Tea For Acne

Lemon juice contains vitamin C and citric acid. It is part of many popular home remedies and is used for its astringent properties. It is said to tighten the skin pores and have mild bleaching properties. Together with green tea, lemon juice can help keep your skin free from acne. However, it can make your skin photosensitive, so apply sunscreen whenever you go out.

You Will Need

• ¼ cup green tea
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Cotton pad
• Facial cleanser
• Non-comedogenic moisturizer
• Towel

Method

1. Brew a quarter cup of green tea and let it cool completely.
2.  Mix the cooled green tea with the juice of a lemon and pour it into a glass jar for storage. (Store the mixture in your fridge.)
3. Wash your face with a facial cleanser and pat it dry with a towel.
4. Saturate a cotton pad with the mixture and dab it onto your face. Let it dry.
5. Apply moisturizer.

How Often?

• 2 times a day.

7. Olive Oil And Green Tea For Acne

Olive oil is one of the best options for oil cleansing. Oil cleansing helps to clean traces of makeup and dirt without upsetting the natural balance of your skin. Applying green tea brew on your face helps to calm it down and reduce skin inflammation.

You Will Need

• Facial cleanser
• Green tea
• Spray bottle
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• Towel

Method

1. Brew some green tea and let it cool completely. (You can drink most of it and spare 2-3 tablespoons for this treatment.)
2. Pour the cooled green tea into a spray bottle.
3. Massage the olive oil on your face. Let it stay for a few minutes.
4. Dip a washcloth in warm water, wring it, and wipe your face with the cloth.
5. Wash your face with a facial cleanser and pat it dry with a towel.
6. Spritz the green tea on your face and let it dry.

How Often?

• Every day.

Apart from the home remedies, there is another way to use green tea for acne. You can buy powdered or liquid green tea extract with EGCG, mix it with your favorite cream, and apply it to your skin. These extracts are easily available online.

Green Tea For Acne: Tips To Pick The Best Quality Green Tea

Picking the right green tea with the highest levels of antioxidants (especially EGCG) is tricky. The content of antioxidants varies from brand to brand. You need to be careful before you choose your brew. Whether it is for drinking or topical application, selecting the right green tea is essential to reap the maximum benefits. Here are some tips to keep in mind while picking your brew:

Do a bit of research. Check the label of the brand and see the amount of EGCG it has per serving. Browse their website and find out the EGCG levels. Choose the one with the highest EGCG content.

Loose leaves have a higher antioxidant content than tea bags. However, if you cannot find loose leaves, you may pick tea bags with the highest EGCG content.

Green tea has a shelf life of only 6 months. Make sure you are picking a fresh batch of green tea. As time passes, the freshness of green tea and its benefits diminish fast.

Look at the harvest time. The first harvest of green tea is always the best than the second one. The first harvest has the highest quality leaves, and they are picked during the early months of the year (between March and April). Always buy first harvest green tea.
Pick organic green tea. This ensures that the green tea is harvested without any pesticides and other chemicals.

While green tea is generally safe for most people, it is essential to be aware of potential side effects and considerations. Keep reading to learn more.

Potential Side Effects Of Green Tea

Some individuals with sensitive skin may experience irritation or allergic reactions when topically applying green tea. To determine if you’re sensitive to green tea, a patch test is recommended. This involves applying a small amount of green tea to a discreet area of skin, such as the inner forearm, and waiting 24 hours to see if any reaction occurs before using green tea on a larger area of skin.

Green tea can interact with certain medications, such as blood thinners like warfarin and medications for cardiovascular disorders (10), (11). Consult your healthcare provider before drinking green tea and incorporating it into your routine, especially if you are taking any medications.

Infographic: Top 4 Benefits Of Green Tea For Acne

Green tea has been around for ages and is loved by people worldwide. This ingredient is a jack of multiple trades and is used in skin care and home remedies. Green tea is a powerful anti-acne skin care ingredient for whiteheads and blackheads. It may help manage other skin woes too. It may be paired with different other ingredients for maximum benefits. Check out the infographic below to find out the top benefits of green tea for acne.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best green tea brand for acne?

Pick any organic brand and check the label for its antioxidant content. Usually, Japanese brands are considered the best. You will easily get them online.

What are the other best teas for acne?

All teas may not have the same effect on acne as green tea. However, drinking herbal teas may boost your antioxidant levels. You may try other teas, such as rooibos tea, chamomile tea, spearmint tea, dandelion tea, and ginger tea.

Can green tea clear dark spots?

Possibly. In fact, in a study, green tea had demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of melasma (12).

Illustration: Green Tea For Acne: Why It Works How To Use It & More

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

You can now get rid of your stubborn acne with a green tea detox/cleanse! Check out this video to learn how this simple drink can change your skin for the better.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. K. Harish KumarMD DVL

   

Dr. Harish has 14 years of experience in the field of dermatology. He did his MD (DVL) from Osmania Medical College in 2007. He worked as a consultant for Kaya Skin Clinic and also as a principal Investigator for 4Front Research.

Read full bio of Dr. K. Harish Kumar

Ramona SinhaEditor

 

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

Read full bio of Ramona Sinha

Eshna DasAssociate Editor

Eshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru.

Read full bio of Eshna Das

Krati DarakAssociate Commerce Editor

Krati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years of experience in writing and editing for different niches.

Read full bio of Krati Darak