How to Use Rooibos Tea for Naturally Healthy Skin

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By plasticostrich
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Loose red rooibos tea.

Rooibos naturally contains alpha hydroxy acid and zinc, so it's wonderful for your skin. Grown only in South Africa, rooibos tea has long been used in traditional South African medicine, where it is claimed to treat all manor of skin problems such as acne, eczema, sunburns, itchy rashes, allergic reactions, and general irritations.

The name rooibos means "red bush" in Afrikaans, owing to the rich red color of the tea. Being both high in antioxidants and free of caffeine, the health benefits of drinking rooibos are similar to green tea. In addition to drinking it, there are many things you can do with rooibos tea to enhance both the natural beauty and health of your skin.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Rooibos tea
Kettle and stove top

Step 1

Use rooibos as a facial toner.

You can use cooled rooibos tea as a toner. Simply boil a pot of water, and add a rooibos tea bag. Then cool the tea in your refrigerator (you can leave the tea bag in there). Once cool, use cotton wool, and apply the rooibos tea as you would your regular toner. It is particularly good for coping with acne.
Step 2

Make a rooibos compress.

Follow the steps above, but soak a small towel or cloth in the cooled rooibos tea. You may wish to add a few drops of a suitable essential oil, like lavender. This can be applied directly to the skin over trouble areas, such as patches of eczema. You may also put rooibos tea into a spray bottle, and use it as a cooling spritz during hot months.
Step 3

Have a steam facial.

First, wash your face to clean off any surface impurities. Boil three cups of water, and add two rooibos teabags. Put the contents into a large bowl or pot. Drap a towel over your head, and lean over the bowl with your eyes closed, allowing the steam to open your pores. Do this for 5-10 minutes, and then rinse your face, and follow up with a toner or cool splash to close your pores.
Step 4

Use rooibos in your moisturizer.

You can make your own natural moisturizer for dry skin. Combine ¾ cup of olive oil, 1/3 cup coconut oil, and ¼ cup of liquid beeswax. Heat these in the microwave until melted, and then pour into a heavy duty blender. Allow it to cool and thicken. Once cooled, add 2/3 cup cooled rooibos tea, 1/3 cup aloe gel, and ¼ tsp vitamin E. Optionally, you may add 5 drops of lavender essential oil. Mix well. This is a thick mixture.

If you prefer, you may use rooibos tea to replace water in your favorite lotion or body butter recipe.
Step 5

Enjoy rooibos in your bath.

Fill your tub up halfway with hot water, and add 3 rooibos tea bags. Let them brew for at least 5 minutes. Then add some cool water, and soak as long as you like. Aside from brightening your skin, this is great for dealing with itchy skin and sunburns.