Don’t want to read the whole post?
Reduce acne redness and inflammation with matcha’s anti-inflammatory properties. Neutralise free radicals, maintain skin health, and experience unmatched matcha power not found in green or black tea.
You might also like:
From Bitter to Better: Distinguishing Good Matcha vs Bad Matcha
ABOUT ME
Be beauty. Be plant-based!
As a former Registered Nurse and avid plant-muncher, I’m in love with how simple plant-based foods make it so easy to be beautiful!
From blemishes to beauty: Is matcha good for acne?
Liv was struggling with persistent acne breakouts despite being well past her teenage years. In fact she was a 25-year-old woman already. Despite having tried multiple skincare products and regimes for her acne and underlying oily skin, nothing had produced the results she desired. Liv just couldn’t understand why she had not outgrown out her pimples.
But recently she had started wondering about the potential of matcha tea and more specifically, was matcha good for acne?
Friends had told her about the health benefits of matcha for overall wellbeing, and Liv now suspected there might be positive effects as an acne treatment. If that was the case, this could be an easier way to develop clearer skin than figuring out a complex skincare routine.
Liv started reading and was surprised about all the potential benefits of matcha tea for skincare, including acne-prone skin. She discovered that matcha, a finely ground powder made from green tea leaves, was rich in antioxidants called catechins. These catechins helped combat free radical damage, which could contribute to skin issues like acne breakouts and premature ageing.
Skip to: How matcha helps prevent ageing
One morning, Liv was examining her inflamed and acne-covered skin in the mirror, and decided that this was enough. She was going to incorporate matcha into her skincare routine right now. Wanting to get the most benefits, she opted for the real deal of matcha tea, instead of a green tea lotion or a matcha mask.
Skip to: Why matcha tea is better than a matcha face mask
Liv brewed a cup of warm water and added a teaspoon of matcha powder, whisking it until it formed a vibrant green froth. This was pretty! The taste of it however, was not so pretty. Liv had heard that it was a unique and acquired taste, so she was glad she hadn’t spent a large amount of money on ceremonial grade matcha.
Liv crossed here fingers – hopefully the taste would grow on her.
Skip to: Which matcha should I buy?
Liv was determined to stick with one matcha tea a day for at least a month. She knew that matcha’s powerful anti-inflammatory properties could help reduce redness and inflammation caused by inflammatory acne. Moreover, the antioxidants in matcha tea help to neutralise free radicals, preventing oxidative stress and maintaining skin health.
You couldn’t get this kind of natural power with green tea or black tea.
Excited about the potential benefits, Liv started her daily ritual of drinking matcha tea. Eventually she found the earthy flavour and comforting warmth soothing to her senses. With each sip, she imagined the antioxidants working their magic, protecting her skin from environmental damage and supporting her overall health.
Skip to: Zen in a Cup: How to make matcha tea
Liv also knew that excess sebum production and the accumulation of dead skin cells could clog her pores and lead to acne breakouts. If she really wanted clear skin, she would need to support her skin’s health with gentle exfoliation and natural skincare products that didn’t irritate.
As the weeks passed, Liv began noticing positive changes in her skin. Her complexion appeared brighter, and her skin tone became more even. The regular consumption of matcha tea had also reduced the occurrence of acne breakouts, thanks to its ability to regulate sebum production and combat acne-causing bacteria.
Impressed by the results, Liv decided to enhance her skincare routine by incorporating more plant-based foods into her diet. If just one change like matcha could have this effect, what else was possible for her skin?
You might also like: Eat Your Way to Radiance: 5 Plant-Based Foods for Beautiful Skin
Liv added more antioxidant-rich berries to her breakfast and snacks, and colourful, filling foods like sweet potatoes to her dinner. To not get bored of match everyday, she experimented with new recipes like a matcha chai latte and a blueberry chai latte.
Over time, Liv noticed a reduction in her fine lines and greater skin hydration, as matcha’s antioxidants helped to combat the effects of UV radiation and prevent sun damage. Her skin felt more balanced and less oily, and she began to feel more confident about herself.
Matcha has now become a trusted ally in Liv’s journey towards better skin. She realised that taking a natural approach to skincare not only addressed her acne concerns but also promoted her overall health and well-being. For this she was glad, especially as it turned out to be easier that she originally though! With matcha tea as an integral part of her routine, Liv had discovered a natural and effective way to combat acne, maintain youthful skin, and achieve a radiant complexion.
Are you still wondering is matcha is good for acne?
Here’s what you need to know to get started.
4 Ways Matcha is Good for Acne
1. Green Tea Extract and Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG)
Matcha tea, a finely ground green tea powder, is known for its high concentration of antioxidants. One such powerful antioxidant found in matcha is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG has been studied for its potential benefits in combating acne. Its antioxidant properties help neutralize free radicals, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
2. Regulation of Sebum Production
Matcha tea may help regulate sebum production, which is crucial for individuals with oily skin. Excess sebum can clog pores, leading to acne. The catechins present in matcha tea have been suggested to inhibit the activity of enzymes responsible for sebum production, thus promoting a healthier balance and potentially reducing acne breakouts.
3. Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Inflammation plays a significant role in the development and persistence of acne. Matcha tea’s anti-inflammatory properties, attributed to the presence of EGCG and other antioxidants, may help soothe inflamed skin and reduce redness associated with acne lesions. By calming the skin, matcha tea could contribute to the overall improvement of acne-prone skin.
4. Antibacterial and Antimicrobial Effects
Acne-causing bacteria, such as Propionibacterium acnes, thrive in clogged pores and contribute to the formation of acne. Matcha tea possesses antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, which may help inhibit the growth of acne-causing bacteria, leading to a reduction in breakouts.
Which is better: Matcha Tea or Regular Green Tea?
While matcha tea and regular green tea come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, matcha undergoes a unique cultivation and processing method. This results in a higher concentration of beneficial compounds, making matcha a more potent source of antioxidants compared to regular green tea. Therefore, if you’re specifically looking for the potential acne-fighting benefits, matcha tea might be a better choice.
That said, matcha is better than green tea if you enjoy the taste and are happy to drink it everyday.
If you can’t stand the taste of matcha, then it’s perfectly fine to drink green tea instead. You will still reap the benefits. You just might have to drink a bit more of it for a similar effect.
Which matcha should I buy?
A skincare routine (or skincare diet in this case) only works if you stick with it. I suggest finding a matcha which fits your budget and is easy to purchase.
That’s enough to start with.
You might also like: From Bitter to Better: Distinguishing Good Matcha vs Bad Matcha
Zen in a Cup: How do I make matcha?
Easily.
You just need to whisk one teaspoon of matcha with a small amount of hot water until it’s smoothly combined. Then add the rest of the hot water. You can also add a splash of soy milk of alternative plant-based milk.
Do not use dairy milk. This will just aggravate your acne (especially skim milk).
For a proper matcha recipe: Matcha Green tea
For some matcha alternatives:
- Matcha chai latte
- Matcha blueberry latte
How matcha helps prevent ageing
Matcha is also a good addition to any natural anti-aging routine. This is due to its high antioxidant content, its anti-inflammatory properties, its ability to boost collagen production, and its power to protect your skin from UV damage.
Why matcha tea is better than a matcha face mask
Both matcha tea and matcha face masks offer potential benefits for the skin, but they work in different ways and have unique advantages.
Drinking matcha means that you will benefit from internal nourishment all over your body, which will result in powerful systemic effects on you health and skin. This is ultimately what makes matcha good for acne. Drinking matcha also means that all of your skin is more hydrated and protected from environmental damage like UV rays and pollution. Further, it promotes a sense of calm and wellbeing which indirectly helps your skin health.
When you use a face mask, only the skin touching the mask can benefit. Further, we don’t know how much of the nutrients in matcha would actually be absorbed into your skin anyway.
For these reasons I personally don’t bother with a matcha mask or green tea extract in skincare products.
That said, if you really want to use matcha on your face…
Incorporating Matcha into Your Skincare Routine:
To reap the potential benefits of matcha for acne-prone skin, you can try incorporating matcha powder into your skincare routine. Here’s a simple DIY face mask recipe to get you started:
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of matcha powder
- 1 tablespoon of warm water
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, mix the matcha powder and warm water to form a paste.
- Apply the matcha paste evenly to your cleansed face, avoiding the delicate eye area.
- Gently massage the mask onto your skin using circular motions to exfoliate and remove the dead skin cells.
- Allow the mask to stay on your face for about 10-15 minutes to allow the beneficial compounds to work.
- Rinse off the mask with lukewarm water and pat your skin dry with a clean towel.
- Follow up with your regular moisturiser or a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturiser suitable for acne-prone skin.
Why am I getting acne?
There are multiple underlying factors contributing to acne and oily skin. Acne is often caused by excess sebum production, the natural oil produced by our sebaceous glands. This overproduction, combined with the buildup of dead skin cells and acne-causing bacteria, can lead to clogged pores and the development of acne lesions.
The Role of Free Radicals and Inflammation
Free radicals, unstable molecules present in our environment, can also wreak havoc on our skin. They contribute to inflammation and oxidative stress, which can exacerbate acne symptoms. Reducing free radical damage and inflammation is a key aspect of managing acne and developing clear skin.