Ingredient Battle: Green Tea vs. Tea Tree

Caring for our skin can be a full-time job, especially when it comes to deciding on what to look for in the products we use. Luckily for us, nature has provided some of the best ingredients in the skin care world. Green Tea and Tea Tree are standouts in improving the look, feel, and overall health of our skin. Let’s take a closer look at these two superstar ingredients.

Green Tea: The Amazing Anti-Ager!

It’s been proven that drinking green tea has some amazing health benefits. But did you know that it can also work wonders for your skin? Perhaps the most touted benefit of green tea is its ability to fight the signs of aging.  Because it is packed with antioxidants and natural astringents, green tea tightens pores and increases blood flow. This helps to minimize the appearance of dark circles and bags under the eyes. Its high polyphenol content fights free radicals, preventing and repairing damage like age spots, wrinkles, and sun damage.

How to use it

Aside from drinking it, you can concentrate the benefits of green tea to your skin. Cut open a tea bag and mix the contents with cleanser, honey, or a little water to create a paste. Then, apply this mixture directly to your skin. If you’re short on time, you can also run hot water over the tea bag, squeeze it, and spread the contents onto your skin. Follow this by rinsing with cool water. You can even make a cup of green tea, let it cool, and splash your face with it. Again, rinse with cool water, and then pat dry.

Tea Tree: The Blemish Buster!

Do you know much about tea tree? It’s actually not a tea at all, but an essential oil derived from the melaleuca plant. Due to its antifungal, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties, tea tree oil is best known in skin care for its incredible acne-fighting abilities. Research has shown that tea tree oil can be as effective as some prescription acne medications and creams, without any of the harsh side effects. Now that’s worth bragging about!

How to use it

Many face creams and cleansers list tea tree oil as an active ingredient. For stubborn blemishes, you can apply tea tree oil directly to the area. No need to rinse, just let it work its magic! Repeat this morning and evening and watch your complexion improve. Side note: because it is so potent, skin that’s been treated with tea tree oil can be sensitive to sunlight, so be sure to use sunscreen when venturing outside! You can also dilute the oil with rose water or plain water and spread evenly over the skin.

Two Rockstar Ingredients

Green tea and tea tree oil may boast different benefits, but they do have one thing in common: they are both remarkable ingredients that can help you achieve the bright, smooth, and flawless complexion of your dreams!