These Matcha Benefits Do Wonders for Your Skin (Plus Expert Tips and Skincare Picks!)
Matcha is the latest superfood drink. Consuming this form of green tea is good for you, inside and out. And matcha benefits the complexion in big ways when used topically, too.
Before you run to the pantry to make your own face mask, let’s take a peek behind the scenes of this healthy ingredient and find out why experts are so keen on using it.
At first glance, matcha looks like a thicker, creamier version of your standard green tea. So what’s the big deal?
Typically when we drink green tea it’s by steeping the leaves in hot water. Matcha is green tea where the green tea leaves are pulverized, so you are actually consuming the whole leaves, not just the water they’ve soaked in.
Any health guru or nutritionist worth their salt will tell you that green tea is an excellent addition a healthy diet. The main reason being its massive amount of catechins, powerful antioxidants that wrangle free radicals before they can do damage to skin, and cause premature aging and disease. And since matcha is a highly concentrated form of green tea, a study by Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs found that it contains three times the antioxidant power of regular green tea.
But matcha’s goodness doesn’t stop there. This ingredient is said to reduce inflammation, is both detoxifying and antibacterial, and helps to reduce UV damage.
Are green tea’s benefits as great when used in skincare? Let’s let Urb Apothcary Founder Leyna Allred (and matcha fan!) fill us in.
Matcha Benefits for Skin from Urb Apothecary’s Leyna Allred
Liz Thompson: Why did you choose matcha as an ingredient in your beauty products?
Leyna Allred: If it’s good for us to consume, it’s just as good for us to put on our skin. I love using food as medicine in my beauty routine and it’s hard to argue with the benefits matcha has shown in Japanese culture for over 800 years.
LT: What are matcha benefits for skin when applied topically?
LA: Matcha is loaded with polyphenols, micronutrients from plants that are powerfully antioxidant, reducing redness and combatting signs of premature aging. The bright green color of matcha is from chlorophyll which aids in the elimination of toxins from the skin and its anti-inflammatory properties make it a must-have for sensitive skin with acne or rosacea.
LT: How often should we use matcha on our skin?
LA: Everyday! People rave about the benefits of drinking a cup of matcha a day, I think our skin deserves the same treatment.
LT: How does matcha differ from green tea extract when used in skincare?
LA: Green tea and matcha are from the same exact plant, but the processing and nutrient/antioxidant content is where the real difference can be seen. Green tea is phenomenal for your skin, but the extra care that goes into making matcha (hand harvesting only the finest leaves and completely separating them the stems and veins) creates a more powerful medium for delivering its benefits. Because matcha is composed of only the highest grade green tea leaves their antioxidant and free radical fighting properties are more potent, perfect for helping our skin combat everyday environmental pollutants and solar radiation while giving the skin a youthful glow.
5 Skincare Products With Matcha
Get in on the powerful bounty of matcha today with these natural skincare products.
1. Urb Apothecary Lavender Matcha Mask
Matcha and green clay combine to exfoliate and detox the skin, while lavender lends a soothing effect. The complexion looks bright and clear.
2. Odacite Green Ceremony Cleanser
This product takes powder cleansers to a whole new level. What starts out as a super fine silt, transforms into a foamy cleanser with the addition of water. So cool and skin is left not only smooth but lightly moisturized.
For convenient, matcha-infused cleansing, try this handy bar soap. It also contains green tea extract for a double whammy of antioxidant power.
4. 100% Pure Organic Matcha Anti-Aging Moisturizer
A moisturizer with loads of anti-agers, like shiitake and reishi mushrooms, grape root extract, and, of course, matcha keeps skin nourished and youthful looking. A daily must.
5. Pangea Organics Facial Mask Japanese Matcha Tea with Acai & Goji Berry
Looking for instant glow? This mask will do the trick. Superfoods and skin-loving clays leave skin looking like you’ve had an expensive facial.
Stock up on some matcha skincare today and see beautiful, glowing skin while you keep your complexion healthy. In the meantime, learn how to perfect your matcha latte.
*Disclaimer: Help support Organic Authority! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.
Related on Organic Authority
Green Tea Benefits: 7 Tips For Choosing The Best Brew
The New Matcha: Oolong Tea Benefits Go Whole Leaf
An Antioxidant Treat: Make Your Own Green Tea Ice Cream
