Meet the Bioactives: Green Tea

Laden with skin-soothing antioxidants, Green tea is a super ally for helping bring out your natural, healthy-looking glow. Green tea differs from other types of tea only by how the leaf is cultivated and processed; the tea leaf itself is the same (it comes from an evergreen shrub called Camellia Sinensis). Green tea retains its fresh color and delicate flavor because it is processed quickly to prevent oxidation, and the tea leaves are steamed and dried almost immediately after being harvested.

Green tea’s origins began in the 7th century, when Japanese monks visiting China to study Zen Buddhism returned home with the discovery of its ability to imbue meditation-enhancing energy and mental focus. Today, it is prized for its health benefits, including high levels of antioxidants, ability to calm inflammation, and a proven track record for helping lower both blood pressure and cholesterol.

While drinking green tea has impressive benefits, the boost it gives to skincare is equally great. We included this powerful bioactive ingredient in our new, Plastic-free Bodycare because it helps with the following:

• DNA Support: green tea contains a powerful antioxidant called EGCG, which helps prevent DNA damage from UV rays, helping to prevent skin cancer and delay signs of aging.

• Reduces Inflammation: green tea has a high content of polyphenols (called catechins). These catechins help reduce irritation, redness, and swelling.

• Unclogs Pores: green tea helps treat acne and skin congestion because its polyphenols damage bacterial membranes and help fight against infection, leaving skin pores clean and clear.

• Collagen Production: chock full of Vitamin B2 and Vitamin E, green tea helps maintain collagen levels for youthful skin structure and firmness.

We will leave you with this quote about tea from the late Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, which we think sums up the magic of tea beautifully:  

“Looking deeply into your tea, you see that you are drinking fragrant plants that are the gift of Mother Earth. You see the labor of the tea pickers; you see the luscious tea fields and plantations in Sri Lanka, China, and Vietnam. You know that you are drinking a cloud; you are drinking the rain. The tea contains the whole universe.” 

The same can be said for putting it on your body: your skin is drinking in a cloud, the rain, the whole universe... we hope you enjoy experiencing this powerful ingredient when you use our products. 

image credit: Sergey Norkov