The connection between tea and your skin. If you want to maintain a gorgeous complexion, bringing tea into your daily regimen is a great place to start. Tea is packed with antioxidants that patrol free radicals in the body and support skin health. Essentially, free radicals speed up skin's aging.
The bottom line. Green tea is a healthful, natural substance that may help reduce acne breakouts. Research has shown both oral and topical use of green tea to be effective in treating acne.
And the best part: tea has so many benefits, and we're not just talking about health benefits. Tea, whether you drink it or apply it topically, is excellent for your skin too and is said to help clear up acne. For all those reasons, suffice it to say, our love for tea runs deep.
Though moderate intake is healthy for most people, drinking too much could lead to negative side effects, such as anxiety, headaches, digestive issues, and disrupted sleep patterns. Most people can drink 3–4 cups (710–950 ml) of tea daily without adverse effects, but some may experience side effects at lower doses.
Coffee and tea also count in your tally. Many used to believe that they were dehydrating, but that myth has been debunked. The diuretic effect does not offset hydration.
In addition to caffeine, how you enjoy your coffee may also have an effect on your skin. Key ingredients of a cup of coffee or tea include milk and sugar, two of the top four dietary acne triggers making skin more prone to breakouts (1).
Drink plenty of water in the evening.
Holistic nutritionist Joy McCarthy recommends drinking at least a liter of water overnight for glowing skin in the morning. “Keep it beside your bed, and if you wake up thirsty, take a couple sips.
Acne develops when sebum — an oily substance that lubricates your hair and skin — and dead skin cells plug hair follicles. Bacteria can trigger inflammation and infection resulting in more severe acne.
Exfoliate regularly
The trick is to remove the layers of dead skin cells and dirt that are blocking your pores — and your skin's natural glow. Products with alpha-hydroxy and lactic acids exfoliate gently to make you look radiant.
Both tea and coffee benefit the skin if consumed in moderation. While green tea is known for fighting premature ageing, treating acne, reducing redness and irritation, and moisturising skin, other teas are also rich in anti-ageing and inflammation-fighting components.
Based purely on its composition, coffee should win hands down: a cup of tea has about half the dose (40 milligrams) of the stimulant caffeine that you would find in a standard cup of brewed filter coffee (80 to 115 milligrams).
Cow's milk may lead to acne breakouts
While cow's milk (but not milkshakes) is a low-glycemic beverage, some studies suggest that drinking this type of milk may be linked to an increase in acne breakouts. In these studies, all types of cow's milk (whole, low-fat, and skim) have been linked to acne.
If you're a regular tea drinker, you can continue drinking tea and it will contribute to your overall hydration level. It shouldn't replace water, though, especially if you're drinking more than six or seven cups of black tea per day. It's important to incorporate some water into your daily fluid intake.
While caffeine does have a slight diuretic effect, the relatively low levels in tea won't have much of an impact on hydration levels. In fact, decaffeinated tea can be counted cup for cup toward your hydration goal because it is considered just as hydrating as plain water.
Research shows that milk is one of the best beverages for hydration, even better than water or sports drinks. Researchers credit milk's natural electrolytes, carbohydrates, and protein for its effectiveness.
Numerous studies have shown that a variety of teas may boost your immune system, fight off inflammation, and even ward off cancer and heart disease. While some brews provide more health advantages than others, there's plenty of evidence that regularly drinking tea can have a lasting impact on your wellness.
Best for Overall Health: Green Tea
When it comes to tea, green tea gets the gold. “Green tea is the champ when it comes to offering health benefits,” says Czerwony. “It's the Swiss Army knife of teas.
Studies show tea may help prevent cavities by reducing the bacteria and decay-causing acid produced in your mouth. Both green and black tea also contain fluoride that can help ward off tooth decay. Using fluoridated tap water in your tea can add to the fluoride you're getting with each sip.