After a long cold winter, transitioning to warmer weather feels refreshing and you’ll want to adapt everything, from your wardrobe to your skincare, accordingly. While it makes sense to keep using all of your trusted products throughout the year, we can probably do without the heavy moisturizers and ten step routines once it gets warmer outside. If you want to shorten your skincare regime this summer while maintaining a glowing complexion, you’ll want to enlist green tea’s many benefits for your skin.

What does green tea do for your skin?

You may have already heard of the many benefits that can be reaped from adding green tea to your daily diet. It’s been a staple in many Asian countries for centuries and is a popular drink worldwide. The National Library of Medicine notes that green tea has been shown to have a positive impact on heart and metabolic health and can be useful in treating inflammation. Some studies even offer hope that drinking green tea regularly may prevent certain cancers and aid in achieving weight loss. 

Many skincare products already utilize green tea in their formulas and for good reason. Green tea contains an abundance of antioxidants which help to fight off free radicals. The high amounts of antioxidants in green tea combat signs of aging and other damage to the skin, such as dark spots and loss of collagen. Its anti-inflammatory properties are effective even when used topically, so it can work wonders on decreasing occasional facial puffiness. 

Green tea is also beneficial in adding some protection to the skin from harmful UV rays, which is a huge component in premature aging. Although you shouldn’t replace your sunscreen with green tea skincare products, they should definitely be used together for optimal defense.

Green Tea Benefits for Skin: It’s Great For Oily and Acne Prone Skin

Anyone in their skincare journey can benefit from introducing green tea to their regime, but it’s a favorite among those with skin on the oilier side as it helps to control sebum production. Excessive sebum production can be particularly problematic in the warmer months. Switching from your winter moisturizer to a lightweight gel that contains green tea can help to avoid clogged pores and dehydrated skin, especially if you are using a strong acne treatment. 

Green tea is also known to have soothing and medicinal factors, which is good to keep in mind when you’re experiencing redness or irritation from using the wrong products. If you’re new to retinols, finding a good green tea mist to use throughout the day can add a layer of hydration and to heal your skin faster. 

Those with acne-prone skin may find that green tea helps them maintain clear skin due to its natural antibacterial properties and can also help with acne scarring. Other skin conditions that can benefit from using green tea products are psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema.

Our Top Picks For Green Tea Products 

Since green tea has a powerhouse of benefits and anti-aging properties, we definitely recommend that you make it a part of your daily self-care. The list below contains some of our green tea-infused favorites that will help to keep your skin glowing and nourished all year long.

1. Youth To the People Superfood Cleanser

Having leafy greens in your diet is essential for a healthy lifestyle; this is also true for what you use on your face. This gentle product from Youth to the People combines superfoods like spinach, kale, and green tea to provide a refreshing cleanse that’s also chock full of antioxidants. Watch the impurities be washed away without leaving your face feeling stripped and dry. Although it comes with a higher price tag than most cleansers, $39 will be money well spent on a product that’s previously won an Allure Reader’s Choice Award.

2. Innisfree Green Tea Hyaluronic Acid Cream

If your skin needs a little extra moisture, you’ll want to keep this green tea hyaluronic acid cream by Innisfree on your vanity. It contains five kinds of hyaluronic acid which offer deep hydration to your skin while the green tea helps to maintain a strong moisture barrier. The packaging of this product is recyclable and also aesthetically pleasing. At only $29, this moisturizer is a pretty good deal considering how great your skin will feel after using it. 

3. Benton Deep Green Tea Serum

A personal favorite, this affordable green tea serum from Benton works wonders to soothe inflamed skin and delivers a generous amount of hydration without feeling heavy. It’s quickly absorbed into the skin and keeps breakouts at bay while also providing a youthful glow. For $17, you can’t go wrong with this green tea serum.

4. ISNtree Green Tea Fresh Emulsion

If you’re looking for a lightweight moisturizer with a plethora of great ingredients, this ISNtree emulsion is what you need. This emulsion has a gel-like texture perfect for hot summer months to encourage soft and supple skin. Along with green tea benefits for skin, this product also contains blueberry and willow bark extracts, centella asiatica, and evening primrose. It’s less than $20 on Amazon and is sure to last you several months.

5. Teami Superfood Moisturizer

Another great moisturizer that will be like a multivitamin for your skin, is this moisturizer from Teami. Formulated with matcha green tea for maximum delivery of antioxidants, it also has other superfoods like avocado and hemp. A slightly heavier cream, this is definitely a nourishing product that will leave your skin feeling plump. With a price tag of $50, this is a worthwhile investment for your skin.

6. Earth To Skin Green Tea Toner

After cleansing we love to use an effective toner, and this one from Earth to Skin is packed with all the green tea benefits for skin you could ask for. An affordable $11, this toner and is a good way to introduce green tea into your routine if you’re new to this ingredient. This toner will help to balance your skin’s pH levels and improve your overall texture. Reviews say that this product is mild and gentle on the skin, making it compatible with most skin types.