Green tea contains antioxidants that are good for your health, and for your skin too. Its properties make it a natural cosmetic ally against skin problems. Here are ten concrete tips for getting flawless, radiant skin thanks to green tea.
For the skin: five green tea tips
1. Make the most of its antioxidant effect
Steep green tea leaves in water, generally between 70 and 80°C, for 2 to 4 minutes. Let it cool, then apply to the skin with a cotton pad.
2. Soothe the eyes
Steep a tea bag for a few minutes in water, then put it in the fridge for an hour. Then place the bags under your eyes, or pour a few drops of the infusion onto cotton pads and leave them on for about ten minutes. For an extra decongesting boost, the bags can also go in the freezer. A fresh look guaranteed.
3. Cleanse your face with an infusion
Prepare your infusion and let it cool. Over the sink, take a small amount in the palm of your hand and apply it to your face without rubbing, until the infusion is used up. Then rinse with cool water.
4. Refresh your skin in one quick move
Short on time before heading out? Dip a green tea bag in very hot water, take it out while it's still steaming, and wring it out lightly. Then gently rub it over your face for one to two minutes, or until it cools down.
5. Work it into a cleansing treatment
Dip a green tea bag in very hot water, open it up and empty its contents into a small bowl. Add one to two tablespoons of your usual cleansing cream and mix: the mixture should be thick and speckled with green. Apply to the face, leave on for five minutes, then rinse.
For a fresh, purified complexion
6. The steam bath
Boil water and pour it into a wide bowl. Empty the contents of a green tea bag into it. Hold your face above it, at a comfortable distance to feel the steam, and cover your head with a towel to concentrate the effects. Stay like this for five minutes.
7. Pair green tea with rose water
Heat some rose water, place a green tea bag in a bowl and pour the still-simmering water over it. Let it steep for three to five minutes, remove the bag and let it cool before pouring it into a bottle or spray, to keep in the fridge. Used as a toner in the evening, this infusion acts as an anti-aging treatment; in the morning, it restores radiance and reduces under-eye puffiness thanks to the theine it contains.
8. Pair green tea with yoghurt
Steep a bag in boiling water, remove it and let it cool. Open the bag and spread the leaves evenly over the face, avoiding the eye contour, without rubbing too hard. Then add a pot of plain full-fat yoghurt directly onto the leaves, in small circular motions to form a paste. Leave on for five to ten minutes, then remove with a warm, damp towel.
9. Pair green tea with honey
Prepare a cup of tea, take out the bag, open it and empty its contents into a small bowl. Add honey and mix to form a paste. Apply to freshly cleansed skin, leave on for about ten minutes, then rinse.
10. For shinier hair
A final cold-water rinse after shampooing seals the cuticles and naturally makes hair shine. Adding green tea to this rinse brings extra antioxidants that strengthen hair, reduce shedding and stimulate hair growth. Soak two tea bags in two to three cups of hot water for one to two minutes, let it cool completely, then use this infusion for the final rinse over your hair and scalp.
Ten simple gestures are all it takes to turn a cup of green tea into a complete treatment: for the face, the eye contour, and the hair.
