You know that whole "You are what you Eat" thing? Well, it's true. When you eat a balanced diet and stay super hydrated, your body reflects that. Skin is clearer, hair is shinier and overall, you're a happier you. While getting your fair share of fruits and veggies is super important to maintain a healthy glow, drinking fluids like water and tea also play a major role in looking your best. Green tea in particular (which has been around for centuries in countries like China and Japan)  is one beverage that is packed with beautifying benefits that truly work from the inside out, but you can also apply chilled green tea directly on your skin for instant results. Plus, drinking a few cups of green tea daily is a great way to flush toxins out of your body. Keep reading for nine ways green tea can be the beautifying elixir you never know you needed.

Even out your complexion

Green tea improves your skin complexion and makes your skin healthy. It helps flush out toxins from the skin, heals blemishes and scars, and reduces inflammation. It even improves the skin’s elasticity.

Reduce puffiness and dark circles

The antioxidants and tannins (an astringent) in green tea help treat puffy eyes as well as dark circles. They help shrink blood vessels underneath the delicate skin around the eyes. This in turn reduces swelling and puffiness. In addition, the vitamin K in green tea helps lighten dark circles under the eyes.

Fight visible signs of aging

Green tea has anti-aging and antioxidant benefits that can help delay signs of skin aging, such as sagging skin, sun damage, age spots, fine lines and wrinkles. The polyphenols in green tea help neutralize harmful free radicals, which can cause significant damage to the skin and accelerate the aging process. In addition, it helps fight prevent skin cancer.

Treat acne

The catechins in green tea are antibacterial agents that help fight acne-causing bacteria. Catechins even help regulate hormonal imbalances in the body, one of the key causes of acne. In addition, anti-inflammatory property of green tea helps reduce the redness and inflammation brought about by acne.

A 2012 study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology concluded that epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a component in green tea, helps treat acne by modulating intracellular molecular targets and inhibiting p. acnes bacteria.

Use as a toner

This popular beverage also works as a natural toner for your skin. It helps draw out impurities, reduce large pores and give your skin a nice healthy glow. It even helps keep your skin hydrated, which is essential for healthy skin.

Stimulate hair growth

Green tea contains a high amount of antioxidants that promote hair growth. The catechins in it have 5-alpha-reductase inhibiting properties that help block DHT (Dihydrotestosterone), one of the key causes of hair loss. It can even promote the growth of new hair and prevent common problems like dry scalp and dandruff.

Protect against UV damage

Green tea can even protect your skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun. The tannic acid, theobromine and polyphenols in green tea can help soothe and heal sunburned skin by neutralizing the damage from exposure to UV rays. A 2011 study published in the Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications journal found that EGCG in green tea prevents a type of skin cancer called melanoma by inhibiting genes that activate inflammation.

Boost shine

Along with making your hair strong and healthy, green tea makes your hair shiny and full of life. Plus, it protects your hair from damage due to pollution and harsh products.

Plus, the high levels of panthenol and vitamins E and C help keep your hair conditioned.

Minimize pores

Due to its antioxidant and astringent properties, green tea can help shrink enlarged pores that tend to get clogged and eventually get infected with bacteria. Thus, it will help smooth and tighten your skin.

Steep a cup of strong green tea and allow it to cool. Mix a few tablespoons of this tea in 2 tablespoons of bentonite clay or any cosmetic clay to make a paste. Spread this pore-tightening face mask on your face and allow it to dry completely. Gently scrub it off and rinse your face with warm water.

 

Photo: Unsplash

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