They say beauty lies on the inside. Normally we think this refers to our mind and heart, but the truth is, it also refers to our health! Good skin, for instance, has a great deal to do with what we eat and drink. Hydrating well and giving our skin the right nutrients, is more effective than topical creams and scrubs. One way of hydrating well AND getting the right skin-enhancing benefits, is through teas.
Herbal or caffeinated, certain teas, when brewed with boiled water and minus any sugar, can have miraculous skin benefits. They not only enrich skin with the antioxidants they contain, but they often cure internal afflictions which lead to those skin issues. Here, we list six such teas which are packed with a host of nutrients and are well-equipped to handle various skincare problems!
Jasmine Green Tea
Famously known as a facial in a teacup, this Chinese blessing is a fragrant and relaxing skin treatment. While the product is still a subject of heavy research, one thing is certain. It is full of powerful antioxidants, so much so that drinking a cup today, could bring a glow to your face as early as tomorrow! This tea is great for all skin types and can help make your skin look plump and fresh, balancing out oily and dry patches.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is a herbal tea made of chamomile flowers, a well-known anti-inflammatory herb. Drinking chamomile tea is excellent for reducing skin irritation and redness. In fact, it also contains quercetin, which shields skin from sun damage. If you have sensitive skin or rosacea, it is a good idea to consume chamomile tea regularly before bedtime.
White Tea
White tea is the purest form of tea. This tea is the most unprocessed and made of really young tea leaves, enriching the drinker’s body with a host of antioxidants and other substances which prevent collagen breakdown and wrinkles. This gradually helps undo dullness and skin damage, especially if you feel your skin is ageing prematurely.
Peppermint Tea
If you constantly get acne due to stomach problems and irregular motions – a common issue – then peppermint tea can treat the root of the problem. It is excellent for cooling the stomach with menthol and soothing inflammation, leading to reduction of oiliness and angry pimples caused by a bacterial gut infection. In some people, it also seems to regulate oestrogen levels, keeping hormonal acne at bay.
Matcha tea
Matcha tea is a Japanese phenomenon that has taken over the world. It is powdered green tea which is harvested using a technique different than the one used for regular teas, for greater flavour and benefits. Matcha tea is even healthier than green tea because instead of soaking the leaves and throwing them away, it involves drinking the actual leaves which are powdered. Famous as the IT beauty tea today, matcha is great for detoxifying your skin.
Rooibos Tea
A caffeine-free red tea from the continent of Africa, Rooibos tea is now world-famous for being an anti-aging drink. Its skin benefits, in fact, are its main feature because it is antibacterial, hypoallergenic and contains more antioxidants than green tea! Vitamin C, flavonoids and anti-aging enzymes in it further alleviate a host of skin problems, from allergies and eczema, to acne!
