Why Everyone Is Buzzing About Matcha Benefits for Skin + How It Can Help Women Over 40
Wouldn’t it be great to just sip your way to younger skin? Well, maybe you can. Matcha — a type of green tea — is being touted as a green elixir with seemingly magical powers. And while there are tons of matcha benefits for skin when you drink it, not everyone loves the taste. Great news: Applying the tea topically works well too! Read on to learn just how you can use matcha to repair, restore and rejuvenate your skin.
What is matcha?
Matcha is a finely ground powder made from specially grown and processed tea leaves and dates all the way back to 7th century China. It's been credited with helping with the glowing skin Japanese geishas always seemed to have. It’s naturally packed with antioxidants, catechins (a substance that helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals), EGCG (a compound that reduces inflammation) and caffeine, explains aesthetician and ‘skinfluencer’ Cassandra Bankson. This makes it phenomenal for skin subjected to pollution, changes in weather and damage from other sources, such as over-exfoliation and the sun.
Matcha benefits for skin
“While matcha has been around for thousands of years, it has only recently become a buzzword in skincare because other ingredients have a hard time competing,” says Bankson. Plus, this age-old remedy is anti-aging. Studies have shown that the phytochemicals found in green tea can increase collagen production and prevent it from breaking down, which is a massive factor in how quickly your skin ages. (Click through for more ways to up collagen production.)
“Matcha can smooth and soothe skin, decrease lines and wrinkles and other forms of aging and may even help redness and acne. It is widely available in cleansers, moisturizers, toners, masks and serums,” says Jodi LoGerfo, DNP, APRN, FNP-C.
You can also get those same, healthy matcha benefits for skin by drinking it daily, plus a few other perks. “Daily consumption of green tea may have other benefits too, like improving cognitive function, weight reduction, managing blood sugar levels and even help prevent certain types of cancer,” says Dr. LoGerfo. Need any more reason to pour yourself a steaming hot cup of matcha green tea or slather on a matcha mask? Keep reading to discover how you can reap its anti-aging benefits.
Matcha benefits for skin: It can reverse skin damage
“Photoaging is premature skin aging induced by external factors, primarily UV sun exposure, which causes lines and wrinkles, broken capillaries, hyperpigmentation, leathery skin texture and decreased skin elasticity,” says Dr. LoGerfo. “There is evidence that matcha may help combat photoaging because of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and regenerative abilities,” she adds.
It can fight blemishes, rashes and more
Acne vulgaris develops due to many factors, including hormones, medications, bacteria and more. “One of the key factors in acne is the increase or altered sebum production in skin. Green tea (both topical and oral) may help because of its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and regenerative properties,” says Dr. LoGerfo. These properties make it a potentially effective treatment for other skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and rosacea.
Matcha benefits for skin: It can counteract sun damage
UV radiation causes skin inflammation, DNA damage and other adverse effects. “Green tea may have photo-protective effects due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties. Because of this, green tea may help prevent the skin damage associated with UV radiation,” says Dr. LoGerfo. It may even minimize your risk of developing a sunburn.
Matcha helps speed up wound healing
Based on its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and vitamin-rich properties, “it can be a great ingredient to use after certain skin procedures or to help heal the skin from minor irritation,” says Bankson. In fact, when used in wound dressing, the tea's EGCG was found to promote skin wound healing and prevent scar formation.
Related: Matcha Tea Can Blast Belly Fat, Help Ward Off Dementia, and Boost Memory
How to use matcha in your skincare regimen
If you opt to go the topical route, Bankson suggests using your matcha-based product in the morning and the evening. “When used in the morning, it’s beneficial because it has great properties that work well under a sunscreen,” she explains. Specifically, the antioxidant benefits can “boost skin protection throughout the day,” she adds. Because it’s anti-inflammatory, it can also help quell puffy skin.
The easiest and least expensive way to reap the benefits? Make your own match mask!
YouTuber Glamrs by Purplle shows how to make one by mixing 1 Tbs. matcha powder like Japanese Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder (Buy from Amazon, $14.99), 1 Tbs. of honey and a pinch of cinnamon with some boiled water, adding it slowly to achieve the desired consistency.
Let it cool, apply it to the face and neck using a brush or your fingers, and leave it on for 20 minutes before rinsing. She suggests using it once a week for “visible results.”
What are some matcha-based products to try?
No time to DIY and want but want to incorporate the tea into your daily skincare routine? We asked our experts what their favorite matcha products are, and here’s what they told us:
Clinique Redness Solutions Cream (Buy from Clinique, $63)
Dr. LoGerfo loves this department store cream, which can be used daily to soothe and mask redness, blotchiness and even rosacea. “It is super calming and moisturizing,” she says.
Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser (Buy from Sephora, $39)
This cleanser combines kale, spinach, green tea and vitamins to remove dirt and debris from the skin. “I find it really degreases the skin but does it gently and effectively,” says Dr. LoGerfo.
Mario Badescu Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea Facial Spray (Buy from Ulta, $6)
This soothing and refreshing spritz invigorates dull, tired skin on the go with an infusion of botanical extracts, including — you guessed it — green tea, plus soothing cucumber and peppermint essential waters. “It’s very brisk and stimulating when my skin is dull! I love to use it on the go when running around all day or traveling,” attests Dr. LoGerfo.
Krave Beauty Matcha Cleanser (Buy from Amazon, $18)
With matcha in the name, how can you go wrong? “This is excellent after a day in the sun. This formula is ideal for sensitive skin and has calming, redness and soothing effects,” affirms Bankson.
Pyunkang Yul Calming Pore Matcha Face Mask (Buy from Walmart, $16.60)
This is an esthetician favorite, says Bankson. It has matcha in camellia sinensis leaf powder form and kaolin clay to help remove oil and dirt from the skin to help balance complexions.
“It is excellent as a chilled mask during the summer or a heated matcha mask for winter,” she advises.
COSRX Green Tea Aqua Soothing Gel Cream (Buy from Amazon, $10.50)
“This moisturizer is amazing for combatting redness, oiliness and dehydration,” says Bankson. It has a cooling effect and contains matcha green tea, B vitamins and allantoin for the softest, moistest skin possible. She suggests layering it underneath your sunscreen.
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