Incorporating Green Tea in Your Daily Routine

5 Skincare Recipes with Green Tea

Green Tea

I have been looking for more ways to incorporate green tea into my daily life as summer gets into full swing. Not only are teas like green sencha and matcha nourishing antioxidant sources, they are also amazing additions to any DIY skin care routine. I tend to have dry, sometimes red and irritated skin, especially in the summer after spending hours outdoors in the sun. I’m a gardening and hiking nut and a general outdoor enthusiast, so you can imagine just how much sun my cheeks are getting every day. Green tea has been a wonderful way to soothe my skin and offer it some much-needed relief.

 


From facial steams to cooling sprays, the addition of green tea is so refreshing after an adventurous hike, hours spent in the garden, or a long day of work. When used in a skin care routine, it can help soothe minor skin irritations and redness as well as rejuvenate and protect the skin. Some people even report toning and brightening effects due to the caffeine content found in green teas. These qualities are especially true of matcha tea! And let’s not forget that matcha, as well as other green teas, contain catechins, a polyphenol that is known for its antioxidant power and which is known to help reduce build-up on the skin.

How to Use Green Tea for Skin Care:

There are many ways you can incorporate green teas into your skin care routine. I often begin by making a strong infusion either in water, carrier oil or witch hazel. I love how versatile infusions can be and they are always lovely to have on hand. Another simple option is to brew a strong blend of green tea with your favorite calming herbs and harness the power of steam. Sometimes I’ll even pour myself a little glass of tea while I prepare my recipe.

Here are five simple skin care recipes that each incorporate green tea for a refreshing and rejuvenating routine. These recipes also include some of my other favorite beneficial plants like lemon balm, lavender, and peppermint for a refreshing and cooling addition to any skin care regimen.

Vibrant matcha green tea in a bowl surrounded by beautiful rose petals.

GREEN TEA & MINT FACIAL STEAM

Makes enough for one facial steam.

Herbal steams moisturize and relax the face by stimulating skin circulation. They also help to clean the skin by dislodging dirt from pores. This recipe is rejuvenating and is suitable for various skin types.

Ingredients

• 1/8 cup organic green sencha leaf tea
• 1/4 cup dried organic lemon balm, double the amount if using fresh lemon balm
• 1-2 Tbsp. dried organic peppermint, double the amount if using fresh peppermint

Directions

  1. Place all ingredients into a large ceramic or glass bowl.
  2. Boil water and pour over herbs and tea. Immediately place a towel or lid over the bowl so that the oils being released from the herbs do not escape.
  3. Steep for 5 minutes.
  4. Place the bowl on a table or other surface where you can comfortably sit.
  5. Hold your face over the bowl, covering your head and the bowl with a large towel to make sure that no steam can escape. Keep your eyes closed and breathe deeply to inhale the properties of the herbs.
  6. Steam for 10 minutes.

Matcha and lavender cleansing grains surrounded by almonds, oatmeal and lush ferns.

DIY CLEANSING GRAINS WITH MATCHA & LAVENDER

Makes approximately 1 cup dry material.

Facial scrubs exfoliate the skin and cleanse the pores. Some facial scrubs can be rough on the skin, but this recipe contains oats, almonds, and other soothing and nourishing ingredients.

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp. organic oatmeal
• 1 Tbsp. organic almonds
• 2 tsp. organic lavender flowers
• 1 tsp. French green clay
• 1/4 tsp. organic matcha tea
• 2-5 drops organic lavender essential oil

Directions

1. Grind oats, almonds, and lavender flowers in a clean coffee grinder until finely powdered.
2. Sift through a mesh screen to remove larger pieces that may be too abrasive for delicate facial skin.
3. Add clay, matcha, and lavender essential oil.

Mix thoroughly, and store in a glass jar.

To Use

1. Mix a small amount with water, milk, cream, yogurt, flower water, or tea to create a smooth paste.
2. Apply to slightly damp skin and gently massage with fingertips, avoiding the sensitive areas around the eyes and lips.
3. When finished, rinse off with cool water.

Pro Tip

• You can use this same blend for a facial mask! Simply apply a light layer on the face, making sure to avoid the delicate skin area around the eyes and mouth. Leave on for 10 minutes or until the mask feels taught and dry, then rinse off with cool water. For dry or sensitive skin types, leave on for 5 minutes or less.

AGE-FIGHTING GREEN TEA FACIAL TONER

Makes approximately 3/4 cups.

This recipe helps to tighten the skin, adjust pH levels, and remove residues left on the skin after cleansing. This recipe is gentle and suitable for all skin types.

Ingredients

Directions


  1. Make an herb-infused witch hazel extract by placing the green sencha tea leaves and witch hazel extract in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
  2. Shake the jar daily and allow the mixture to infuse for 2 or more weeks.
  3. Once finished infusing, strain the green tea leaves out and reserve the remaining liquid.
  4. Mix the infused witch hazel extract with the remaining ingredients and pour into dark glass bottles. Spray tops are great sustainable replacements for cotton balls! Just spray and gently press into your skin.
  5. Store in the refrigerator and use within 1-2 weeks.

Green tea and rose toner in a glass jar surrounded by green sencha tea and flowers.

GREEN TEA COMPRESS

Makes enough for one compress

Green tea contains antioxidants that ease and nourish the skin. Green tea compresses are beneficial for various skin types and are a nice relaxing treat for your skin.

Directions

1. To create a compress from green sencha leaf tea, make an infusion by pouring boiling water over organic loose-leaf tea and allow to cool completely.
2. Once it has cooled, strain out the leaves and reserve the liquid.
3. Soak a clean cloth in the infusion and then place the saturated cloth on skin for 5-10 minutes at a time. This process may be repeated several times a day.


COOLING FACE AND BODY MIST

Makes approximately 3/4 cups.

Use this mist whenever you need a little cooling off. Peppermint can be very refreshing. Incorporating green tea into this blend can help to reduce redness.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cups (6 oz) distilled or purified water
• 1 Tbsp. dried organic peppermint leaf
• 1/2 tsp. organic green sencha leaf tea
• 1 drop organic peppermint essential oil (optional)

Directions

1. Pour boiling water over the peppermint and green sencha tea leaves and infuse until cool.
2. Strain and pour liquid into a spray bottle.
3. Add the essential oil (if using) and shake to combine all ingredients.
4. Store in the refrigerator and use within 1 week.

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