The obsession with matcha has resulted in a number of beauty brands launching green tea skin care products, but white, black and even fruit teas can be found in many different beauty products. While it may be easy to write off tea-infused skin care as another overhyped wellness trend, using the ingredient actually goes way back. Geisha have long used green tea as part of their skin care routines thanks to its skin-perfecting benefits. And unlike some trendy skin care ingredients, there is a lot of research backing up the claims of black, green and white tea’s skin-soothing properties, according to medical esthetician Jordana Mattioli.
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And it’s time the rest of us realized tea’s full potential. Board certified cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Karyn Grossman says tea can help protect skin from UV-induced damage and help prevent fine lines, pigmentation and sagging. She adds that polyphenols in tea also fight inflammation, soothe skin and treat acne. (Ready to slather a tea bag over your face yet?)
When it comes to the specific types of teas, Mattioli adds that green and white tea are particularly well-known for being rich in epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), one of the most powerful antioxidants that targets free radical damage and has anti-inflammatory properties that can improve sun damage. Furthermore, both teas have antibacterial properties and are naturally astringent, which make them effective in treating acne and managing excess oil.
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Black tea contains a high concentration of caffeine, which makes it an effective ingredient for reducing puffiness and fluid retention. Because of this, it’s often found in eye creams. It’s such a hero ingredient that Fresh even has a whole Black Tea range.
Even the biggest coffee drinkers will come around to the benefits of tea for skin when they try these tea-infused skin care products.
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Tea Time: 14 Tea-Infused Beauty Products That Will Make Your Skin Glow
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Sunscreen
Don't head to the beach without applying this lightweight face sunscreen. It's water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and delivers UVA/UVB SPF 50 protection. Unlike a lot of sunscreens, this one has a gentle formula that won't irritate skin. And it doesn't have that overpowering artificial coconut scent or a sticky residue. Therefore, there's no excuse for "forgetting" to reapply it.
COOLA Classic Face Sport SPF 50 - White Tea, $32 at Sephora
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Facial Cleansing Wipes
The goodness of white tea has been harnessed into these cleansing towelettes. The result is 99.1 percent natural wipes that refresh dirty skin when it's not possible for a proper cleanse.
Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes White Tea Extract, $5.99 at Ulta
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Oil-Free Moisturizer
Get moisturized skin without that uncomfortable greasy feeling thanks to this green tea moisturizer. The lightweight moisturizer helps to manage excess sebum, so skin will stay shine-free throughout the day. Moisturizing and matte may sound like a big contradiction, but the formula will make everyone a believer.
Boscia Green Tea Oil-Free Moisturizer, $38 at Boscia
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Comforting Face Mask
Don't boil the kettle because this pretty pink powder is firmly meant for the face. It's a powdered mask that contains rose and rooibos tea powder and leaves to help calm skin. Mix two tablespoons of the powder with an equal amount of water until it forms a paste. Then apply to face and neck for 10 minutes. The treatment has a delicious scent that's as good as freshly brewed herbal tea.
Origins RitualiTea Feeling Rosy Comforting Powder Face Mask With Rooibos Tea & Rose, $36 at Sephora
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Calming Gel Mask
There's no need to DIY a tea mask when this one is available. The gel mask is infused with actual chamomile powder and flowers to make skin look younger and brighter. It earns extra credit for carrying the tea theme to the packaging. Instagram it, then apply it.
Skinfood Real Tea Gel Mask Chamomile, $7 at Skinfood
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Detox Mask
Matcha is in just about everything these days and it's also in this vegan mask. The formula helps detox skin from the grime that can build up from city life. Use it at least once a week to keep skin purified and to create a lit-from-within glow.
The Body Shop Japanese Matcha Tea Pollution Clearing Mask, $28 at The Body Shop
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Foam Cleanser
Antioxidant-rich blueberries are good to eat and they're also good for moisturizing. The cleansing foam combines blueberry extract with three different types of tea to gently cleanse and balance skin. Use it as the second step in a double cleanse regimen.
Missha Frui-Tea Blueberry Tea Cleansing Foam, $13.21 at YesStyle
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Eye Cream
Pretend that you always get a good sleep with this black tea eye concentrate. The formula targets all signs of tired eyes, including dark circles, dryness and dullness. It also helps firm skin for a more youthful appearance. Follow the eye cream with a few coats of black mascara for a wide-awake look no matter how early it is.
Bremenn Botanicals Black Tea Age Defying Eye Concentrate, $54 at Ulta
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Acne Serum
Some acne treatments clear up spots but wreak havoc on the rest of the face. (Hello, red, itchy, painful skin.) This serum helps keep pores clear, but it doesn't leave skin dry and flaky. The formula mixes zit-zapping salicylic acid with aloe, green tea and white tea to soothe and smooth. Oily-skinned girls will appreciate the lightweight serum because it doesn't leave behind a sticky residue.
Juice Beauty Blemish Clearing Serum, $29 at Ulta
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Hydrating Toner
Ever tried tamarind tea before? This gentle toner mixes tamarind seed with white, black and green tea extracts to calm skin and increase hydration.
Juara Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner, $32 at Juara
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Firming Cream
Apply the lightweight cream to face and neck and the unique formula will help tighten and improve elasticity. No wonder they call it corset cream.
Fresh Black Tea Firming Corset Cream, $95 at Nordstrom
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Facial Oil
With a bottle as pretty as perfume, this luxurious treatment oil is begging to be displayed. It's good to have within arm's reach because the concentrated formula turns pallid skin smooth and supple.
AmorePacific Green Tea Seed Treatment Oil, $195 at Sephora
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Soothing Splash Mask
Bring masking into the shower with this smoothing green tea splash mask. Literally splash it on your face a couple of times and the fast-acting formula calms skin, condensing a 20-minute ritual into one that takes less than a minute.
Blithe Patting Splash Mask - Soothing Green Tea, $40 at Glow Recipe
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Soothing Cream
Our skin can get upset just like we can. This soothing white tea cream will keep skin calm no matter the conditions it's exposed to. The formula is even gentle enough that it can be used on sensitive and rosacea-prone complexions.
DERMAdoctor Calm, Cool & Corrected Tranquility Cream, $85 at Ulta
