black tea for skin

Black Tea for Skin – Feel Benefits and Improve Your Beauty

Did you know your skin is the first reflection of your inner health? Good old black tea is not just a world-famous beverage anymore! Nowadays, it is a well-known fact that humble black tea is brimming with antioxidants and many more phytonutrients that provides you with endless benefits. Moreover, it acts as a shield for many environmental hindrances.

Well, here’s a small reveal!  

Is black tea good for your skin?

Black tea is an elixir that helps you to have flawless and radiant skin. It offers a wide range of benefits to your skin such as protection against UV radiation and skin cancer, anti-aging, rejuvenation of skin, fighting skin infections, reducing blemishes and puffy eyes, and many more.

So, let’s dive in to find out how black tea is beneficial to your skin.

Benefits of Black Tea for the Skin

Black tea is a beverage high in antioxidants and other bioactive compounds that provide numerous health benefits. Regarding that following are the benefits of black tea for the skin.

Protecting from UV radiation

Amid your busy daily schedules, you may skip out a few times to put on much-needed sunscreen.

Protecting-from-UV-radiation

Though you might not give much thought to it, regularly missing sun protection will expose your skin to harmful UV radiation.

It is a well-known cause for many skin-related problems such as; skin pigmentation, skin cancer, blemishes, premature aging, and many more.

On a positive note, if you’re keen enough to sip a cup of black tea, probably daily, fear not!

There is research evidence that shows drinking black tea may help reduce the risk and protect the skin from problems caused by excessive UV exposure [1]Zhao, J., Jin, X., Yaping, E., Zheng, Z. S., Zhang, Y. J., Athar, M., DeLeo, V. A., Mukhtar, H., Bickers, D. R., & Wang, Z. Y. (1999). Photoprotective effect of black tea extracts against UVB-induced phototoxicity in skin. Photochemistry and photobiology, 70(4), 637–644. https://doi.org/10.1562/0031-8655(1999)070<0637:peobte>2.3.co;2 [2]Record, I. R., & Dreosti, I. E. (1998). Protection by black tea and green tea against UVB and UVA + B induced skin cancer in hairless mice. Mutation Research, 422(1), 191–199. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0027-5107(98)00192-4.

Reducing the risk of skin cancer

Nowadays cancer, which is a non-communicable disease, has become a prevailing issue.

skin-cancer

Among all cancers, skin cancers don’t go unnoticed.

Recent studies have found antioxidants present in black tea might be effective against skin cancer [3]Rees, J. R., Stukel, T. A., Perry, A. E., Zens, M. S., Spencer, S. K., & Karagas, M. R. (2007). Tea consumption and basal cell and squamous cell skin cancer: results of a case-control study. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 56(5), 781–785. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2006.11.038 .

To confirm the above, more research on human studies is necessary.

However, most skin cancers are caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light.

Further to that, research findings are stating that drinking black tea may reduce the incidence and protect your skin from UV related skin cancers [4]Record, I. R., & Dreosti, I. E. (1998). Protection by black tea and green tea against UVB and UVA + B induced skin cancer in hairless mice. Mutation Research, 422(1), 191–199. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0027-5107(98)00192-4.

The protective effect is speculated to be Theaflavins and Thearubigins; the two most common antioxidants found in black tea.

Slowing down Premature Ageing

While you are engrossed in your day-to-day activities, your skin is exposed to harsh sunlight, different pollutants found in the environment, and many more.

Did you know it may accelerate premature aging?

Premature-Ageing

Well, let me explain it to you!

The onset of premature aging could happen due to many extrinsic reasons.

Getting exposed to UV radiation or sunlight for longer is one. And, that’s not all! Tobacco smokings, getting exposed to environmental pollutants, infrared radiation, or heat contribute to premature aging of skin too.

These factors induce free radical formation, increasing the expression of a gene that’s responsible to create collagen-degrading enzymes.

When more and more collagen is destroyed, wrinkle formation takes place, losing skin elasticity. This can be considered premature aging.

However, fear no more! We do have a solution…

Black tea packed with antioxidants may slow down the process of premature aging and wrinkle formation.

Well, studies have found black tea is far more effective in wrinkle improvement compared to many tea types. It is likely attributable to the high levels of theaflavin and thearubigins formed during the oxidation of black tea.

Furthermore, according to research, black tea can be expected to reduce the expression of the gene that creates collagen degrading enzymes [5]Lee, K. O., Kim, S. N., & Kim, Y. C. (2014). Anti-wrinkle Effects of Water Extracts of Teas in Hairless Mouse. Toxicological Research, 30(4), 283–289. https://doi.org/10.5487/TR.2014.30.4.283. This may prevent wrinkle formation and at the same time, slow down aging.

TIP: Both drinking and topically applying black tea may help you in delaying the signs of aging.

Related Article: Does Black Tea Cause Hair Loss? Nobody Talks About This!

Fighting skin infections

Skin is the largest organ of your body and it keeps the body healthy and protected. Women who own sensitive skin might have more experience in what I am about to say.

skin-infections

Skin indeed is a delicate organ and it’s easily susceptible to infections caused mainly due to microbial growth.

Catechins and flavonoids present in black tea are known for their antimicrobial effect and may help fight skin infections [6]Bancirova M. Comparison of the antioxidant capacity and the antimicrobial activity of black and green tea. Food Res. Int. (2010);43:1379–1382. DOI:  10.1016/j.foodres.2010.04.020 [7]Friedman, M., Henika, P. R., Levin, C. E., Mandrell, R. E., & Kozukue, N. (2006). Antimicrobial activities of tea catechins and theaflavins and tea extracts against Bacillus cereus. Journal of food protection, 69(2), 354–361. https://doi.org/10.4315/0362-028x-69.2.354.

However, if you suffer frequent skin infections, it is advisable to get medication from an expert.

TIP: In the meantime, indulging in a nice cup of black tea will help you in keeping infections at bay or it will accelerate the healing process!

Accelerating skin rejuvenation 

You may already know that our skin repeatedly sheds, heals, and regenerates itself.

skin-rejuvenation

Moreover, in an instance your skin has a wound; it may take longer to heal and might leave a scar behind.

Well, you cannot observe this process with your naked eye!

Nevertheless, including rejuvenating ingredients into your diet will help accelerate the process of rejuvenating and healing. According to research black tea extract is such an ingredient [8]Hajiaghaalipour, F., Kanthimathi, M. S., Abdulla, M. A., & Sanusi, J. (2013). The Effect of Camellia sinensis on Wound Healing Potential in an Animal Model. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2013, 386734. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/386734.

TIP: However, be mindful enough to not apply black tea directly onto your wounds as you may end up complicating your condition. Drink moderate amounts of black tea instead.

Reducing blemishes

I am sure you must have had blemishes. Especially if you’re a woman, can you recall how annoyed and frustrated you felt?

Reducing-blemishes

Moreover, it might have taken a toll on your level of confidence as well! You may opt for make-up to cover it. Did you know there are natural ways to treat blemishes?

Black tea is one such ingredient.

According to research, black tea has a whitening effect [9]Choi, S. Y., & Kim, Y. C. (2011). Whitening effect of black tea water extract on brown Guinea pigskin. Toxicological Research, 27(3), 153–160. https://doi.org/10.5487/TR.2011.27.3.153.

That’s not all!

Black tea is packed with antioxidants and flushes out toxins that can cause blemishes.

All in all, humble black tea comes to the rescue making blemishes disappear; leaving you with flawless and glowing skin.

Reducing puffy eyes and removing dark circles

I am sure you have at least once become prey to puffy eyes or dark circles after pulling off a long night or maybe after working around the clock.

It not only reflects you are tired and sleepless; it increases the risk of premature wrinkling as well.

Reducing-puffy-eyes

So, hasn’t it been a serious concern? I am sure it has!

Instead of jumping into expensive eye ointments or gels, did you ever imagine that a black tea bag can be your savior? Well, it certainly can!.

Black tea is known to have the highest caffeine content out of all tea types. And that’s not all! It contains considerably high amounts of tannins such as thearubigins and theaflavins.

Topical caffeine is capable of shrinking blood vessels underneath your skin. This reduces your puffy eyes in a jiffy, further tightening the skin.

Black tea contains tannins that impart the same benefit as caffeine on puffy eyes and dark circles. And there’s more.

Tannin helps you in relaxing your eyes. Tannins together with the antioxidants in black tea provide anti-inflammatory properties reducing swelling and irritation [10]Chatterjee, P., Chandra, S., Dey, P., & Bhattacharya, S. (2012). Evaluation of anti-inflammatory effects of green tea and black tea: A comparative in vitro study. Journal of advanced pharmaceutical technology & research, 3(2), 136–138. https://doi.org/10.4103/2231-4040.97298 .

However, tannins are not found in caffeine-infused cosmetics. Hence why black tea bags are more beneficial in reducing puffy eyes and dark circles.

All in all, this natural remedy is an easy and affordable alternative that relieves puffy eyes and dark circles. It will leave you looking fresh and awake.

Can you apply black tea to your face and skin?

What’s nice is that you don’t have to just drink tea to enjoy all the above effects.

You can also feel free to apply black tea to your skin!

It will leave your skin smooth, soft with that perfect glow!

Black tea extract may act as an amazing toner helping to clean your skin.

You may simply wipe a tea bag over your face and wipe it off with a clean towel.

Can black tea be used as a toner?

Do you have oily skin?

Here’s a solution you can try at home.

DIY black tea toner

You will need,

  • 1tsp of black tea
  • 4-5 drops of tea tree oil
  • 1tsp of witch hazel

Method:

  • Step 1 – Allow the tea leaves to steep in hot water for 15-20 minutes.
  • Step 2 – Strain and remove all tea leaves and chill the tea extract.
  • Step 3 – Then you may add a few drops of tea tree oil and witch hazel to the extract and stir well.
  • Step 4 – Pour it into an applicator bottle and your toner is ready!

How to use:

Use a cotton ball, soak it with the toner, and wipe your face and neck. Let it naturally dry followed by your regular skincare routine. 

You can store the toner in refrigerated conditions for a week. 

Black tea body scrub

Instead of discarding your used black tea bags, you may use them as an excellent body scrub. To simple use, all you have to do is,

  • dry the black tea bags well
  • cut them open
  • use the tea leaves as a scrub and wash it off
  • Don’t forget to moisturize afterward.

How to make black tea body scrub – DIY

Here’s an easy homemade body scrub to use on your skin every day. This will leave your skin refreshed with a radiant glow after busy outdoor work.

You will need

  • 2 cups of granulated white sugar
  • 4 black tea bags
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • airtight glass container.

Method:

  • Step 1 – Mix your sugar and black tea bags in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
  • Step 2 – Carefully pour over the liquid 1/4 cup coconut oil.
  • Step 3 – Mix it until the consistency is desirable to you.
  • Step 4 – Store it in an airtight container until further use.

How to use:

Damp your skin and grab a handful of black tea scrub you made and rub it on your skin.

Leave it for several minutes and for better results, rinse it off with warm water and dry your skin with a towel. 

Is black tea good for a face mask?

There are plenty of benefits you can have when using black tea as a face mask. You may even make a DIY mask with black tea leaves and add it to your beauty or skincare routine.

How do you make a black tea face mask? DIY

You can easily prepare a black tea face mask with three simple ingredients at home.

You will need:

  • 1Tbs black tea leaves
  • 1Tbs honey
  • 1Tsp real lemon juice

Method:

  • Step 1 – Steep the tea leaves in hot water for 2-3 minutes and discard the excess water.
  • Step 2 – Add honey and lemon juice to it.
  • Step 3 – mix well.

How to use:

The mask is ready now! Gently apply the mixture onto your face and leave it for 10-15 minutes. After, gently massage your skin and rinse the mask off with warm water. For better results, follow up with your favorite moisturizer.  

How can you apply tea bags to the eyes?

It is very easy and all you need to do is follow these steps;

  • Step 1 – Steep two black tea bags in the boiled water for 5-7 minutes
  • Step 2 – Let them cool
  • Step 3 – Keep the warm tea bags on the eyes. You may also refrigerate them for 20 minutes before placing them on your eyes, but warm tea bags will give you more comfort.
  • Step 4 – Leave the tea bags on the eyes for about 20-30 minutes, remove and wash your face to feel fresh.  

Furthermore, you may dip cotton balls in cold black tea and place them under your eyes for 20 minutes.

Is Black Tea Good for sweaty feet?

There are around 3000 sweat glands in your food that produces sweat.

When you wear socks and shoes all day long, foot odor is unpreventable. Sweat and warm environments facilitate bacteria proliferation on your skin resulting in a bad odor. This is due to a substance called isovaleric acid.  

Foot odor is more of an embarrassing as well as uncomfortable problem.

However, here is a simple but safe and effective home remedy that will help you with foot odor…

Tip: All you have to do is soak your feet in strong black tea for 30 minutes a day continuously for a week. 

The tannic acid in tea destroys bacteria and closes your pores. This will keep your feet dry for a long time and it will prevent sweating. 

FAQ

Does black tea increase melanin in your body?

As you may already know, melanin is a natural skin pigment and it is what makes your skin appear darker. To date, there is no scientific evidence, black tea of any kind increase melanin in your skin. So it’s time you let go of that myth!

Recap…

Black tea has tremendous benefits for your skin.

You may experience them by simply drinking black tea or by applying them topically on your skin.

Black tea is an ingredient in a variety of DIY skincare natural cosmetics. Include black tea in your daily skincare routine and you will own glowing and radiant skin.

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