Green tea is becoming increasingly popular. We can find it in beverage form, such as matcha tea, in food form, in sweets made with green tea, in olfactory form, such as green tea essential oil, and in topical form, in green tea-based cosmetics.
Why all the green tea hype?
Keep reading and you'll understand...
Legend has it that a Chinese emperor (Shen Nung) was in his wonderful and bucolic garden full of exotic and wild plants with a container of hot water.
A soft, light breeze stirred some ripe leaves that gently fell into the container of hot water.
The emperor was surprised by the wild and comforting aroma it gave off. He tasted it and was moved by its refreshing flavor. He soon began to popularize this beverage: green tea. A concoction with great antioxidant and purifying power.
It can be considered one of the " healthiest natural drinks on the planet ." Packed with vitamins and minerals, it has been associated with improved brain function, fat loss, and a reduced risk of cancer.
The main benefits of green tea are:
That's why it's so important to consume organic and natural cosmetics from brands that have spent years studying and experimenting with different botanical ingredients and topical formulas, instead of buying anything or making your own cosmetics at home. Because the bioactive principles of natural ingredients need to follow specific processes and protocols to fully benefit from them.
What is the origin of green tea and what are its benefits?
Green tea ( Camellia Sinensis ) is a plant native to northern India and southern China, which gradually spread throughout eastern Asia: Japan, Java, Ceylon and Indonesia.
Legend has it that a Chinese emperor (Shen Nung) was in his wonderful and bucolic garden full of exotic and wild plants with a container of hot water.
A soft, light breeze stirred some ripe leaves that gently fell into the container of hot water.
The emperor was surprised by the wild and comforting aroma it gave off. He tasted it and was moved by its refreshing flavor. He soon began to popularize this beverage: green tea. A concoction with great antioxidant and purifying power.
It can be considered one of the " healthiest natural drinks on the planet ." Packed with vitamins and minerals, it has been associated with improved brain function, fat loss, and a reduced risk of cancer.
The main benefits of green tea are:
- Its high bioactive component content : rich in polyphenols, which helps reduce inflammation in the body, and in catechins, which helps prevent cell damage. These active ingredients in green tea also help reduce free radicals, thus protecting cells from oxidative damage.
- Its moderate caffeine content stimulates intelligence without altering the nervous system.
- It increases the metabolic rate , promoting fat reduction and improving athletic performance.
- Its high antioxidant content reduces the likelihood of developing cancer.
- Increases life expectancy: Recent scientific studies have shown that green tea drinkers live longer.
Is green tea extract good for the face?
Yes, green tea is good for your skin . Even very good. As long as it's organic, properly extracted, and kept in glass containers ( if you'd like to learn more about the benefits of glass packaging, read this blog post ). It's important to use a carrier for incorporating it into cosmetics: this could be a cold-pressed organic plant-based oil, such as olive, almond, or jojoba oil, for example. It could also be combined with a quality natural butter or an infusion obtained by steeping green tea, either hot or cold. We opted for a glycerinated green tea extract , unfermented and unoxidized. That is, we steep the green tea in organic plant-based glycerin for 20 days, obtaining a highly concentrated extract that we can incorporate into different formulations. This extract is very rich in tannins, polyphenols (caffeic and chlorogenic acids), vitamins (C, B, PP, and carotenes), bioflavonoids, and trace elements (fluoride and zinc). It is also interesting that it is combined with active ingredients that complement it, but do not detract from its value.
That's why it's so important to consume organic and natural cosmetics from brands that have spent years studying and experimenting with different botanical ingredients and topical formulas, instead of buying anything or making your own cosmetics at home. Because the bioactive principles of natural ingredients need to follow specific processes and protocols to fully benefit from them.
Do you know what the most incredible properties of Green Tea extract are for the skin?
Green tea extract has incredible properties for the skin:- Contains vitamins C and E, two natural antioxidants that help reduce facial imperfections, such as acne and/or marks/spots.
- As we have seen before, it contains catechins, tannins and isoflavones , components that prevent cellular aging and keep the skin fresh, while reducing inflammation.
- It works as a wonderful natural moisturizer to treat eczema, for example.
- Its catechin content helps reduce acne, as it is antibacterial and can reduce excessive hormonal activity, often the main cause of acne.
- It can be used as a natural toner, completely cleansing the face and removing all types of impurities. For very sensitive skin prone to redness, products with green tea extract can help soothe and refresh the skin.
