Is Green Tea Good for Acne?
Green tea has been gaining a lot of attention from health-food enthusiasts. The beneficial qualities attributed to green tea range from healing cuts to treating cancer. Some recent scientific studies by various independent groups have addressed the beneficial aspects of green tea overall, including its application for skin problems such as acne. Does this Spark an idea?
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Health Benefits
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Many people point to the fact that teas of all kinds have been a part of Asian cultures for thousands of years, not just for liquid refreshment but for the health benefits of tea leaves. The levels of antioxidants found in tea can be substantiated. According to Harvard Health Publications, besides the antioxidants in green tea, it also has high amounts of tannic acid which is known to reduce swelling and inflammation in dermal tissue, two of the conditions associated with acne. Green tea is also said to reduce the naturally occurring oils present in the skin, as well as acting as a detoxifier in the body. There are also studies which indicate that acne skin creams made from green tea are just as effective as the standard acne skin creams made from Benzoyl peroxide.
Importance of Antioxidants
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The recent discovery of the importance of antioxidants has created a great deal of interest and research into the possible sources of antioxidants, especially from organic sources. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center antioxidants are known to inhibit the degeneration of cells from oxidation, which is a natural process in the body involving the breakdown of protein molecules in the liver. Fighting oxidation of cells can contribute to the body's immune system by preventing the growth of unwanted virus antibodies which can lead to unhealthy skin conditions, including acne.
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Treatment for Acne
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Although there are currently no known scientific studies that prove the efficacy of green tea in treating acne, there are many people who have developed green tea acne treatments based on their own experiences. Accoring to many home remedy websites, the most basic approach is to adopt a daily regimen of green tea intake of at least four 8-ounce servings of either hot or iced green tea. While that is considered to be a generic approach in using green tea for overall health improvement, some have reported a noticeable improvement in their skin condition, including a reduction of acne.
Other Treatments for Acne
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Another treatment method using green tea for acne involves making a facial mask of boiled tea leaves and egg white that is applied to the face and allowed to dry completely before being removed. That green-tea mask has been reported to reduce acne symptoms and improve overall skin quality by Dr. Jennifer Gan-Wong of the Philippines. Others have claimed that applying a warm green tea bag to the specific areas of acne infection significantly reduces the blemishes and helps to prevent their return. Again, these remedies also include a daily intake of green tea to maintain the levels of antioxidants that are said to help fight off skin problems.
Conclusion
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Overall, green tea has many different health benefits that can help with several ailments, including acne. Green tea is universally accepted by many health-care providers and medical science as something that is both healthy and helpful to the human body. Adding green tea to your daily diet will help to keep your body healthy and also assist in managing and getting rid of acne.
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