How to Use Green Tea on Your Face to Achieve Prettier Skin

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You probably know that drinking green tea is good for you, but did you know it can help your skin? You can use green tea to make your own skincare products or add it to your favorite cleanser to help your complexion and fight acne. There is some evidence that the antibacterial and antioxidant properties in green tea can help soothe skin. Try a green tea toner, face mask, cleanser, or steam treatment to reveal brighter, clearer skin.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Making a Green Tea Toner

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  1. Heat the water over high heat until you see bubbles start to rise from the bottom. Then, remove the water from the heat to use for your tea. [1] Make enough hot water for a test batch, as Dermatologist Lydia Shedlofsky emphasizes that you should plan to test the tea "on a small area on your arms first to make sure you are not allergic before applying to a large area or the face."
    • The water doesn’t need to be boiling. If it starts to boil, that’s totally okay. However, it will take your tea longer to brew and cool down.
  2. Use an 8 to 12  fl oz (240 to 350 mL) mug to brew the green tea so you have a good batch of toner. Put the bag on the bottom of the mug and drape the string over the side. [2]
    • If you prefer to use loose tea, put about 1-2 tbsp (2-4 g) of tea into a strainer, then put it into the mug.
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  3. Use a towel to protect your hand as you slowly pour the water into the mug. Once the mug is nearly full, set the pot on a cool stove burner or a towel. Then, gently swish your tea bag around in the cup to distribute the green tea. [3]
    • Your water should immediately start to turn a muddy green color.
  4. Drape the string on your tea bag or strainer back over the edge of your mug. Then, set a timer for 5-10 minutes and leave your tea to steep. Once the timer goes off, remove the tea bag and either discard it or save the tea leaves for another treatment.
    • You can make a mask using brewed tea leaves. See the recipe below in the section about masks.
  5. Don’t put hot green tea on your face. Instead, set a timer for 30 minutes and leave the mug to cool. After the timer goes off, test the tea with your fingertips to make sure it’s fully cooled.
    • It’s okay if the tea is a little warm.

    Tip: For a quick skin pick-me-up, rub the cooled green tea bag over your clean face. Let the tea dry on your skin instead of rinsing it off. This can reduce redness, brighten your complexion, and help treat acne. [4]

  6. While this is optional, it can help treat oily or acne-prone skin. Simply hold your bottle of tea tree oil over the green tea and sprinkle 5-10 drops into the brewed tea. Gently stir the mixture to combine the ingredients.
    • You can find tea tree essential oil at local health food stores or online.
  7. Use a spray bottle or airtight container to hold your toner. Hold your container over the sink, then slowly pour the toner from the mug into the container. Finally, screw on the lid.

    Tip: If you have a funnel, use it to transfer the toner into the bottle so you won’t spill any.

  8. Pour a little toner into your hand, then use your fingers to rub it onto your face. Apply more toner to your skin as necessary to cover your entire face.
    • If you used a spray bottle, you can simply spritz the toner onto your face.
    • Use your toner once or twice a day after washing your face.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Steaming Your Face with Green Tea

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  1. Heat a pot of water over high heat until bubbles are rippling across the surface. Then, remove the water from the heat and pour it into a heatproof bowl. Use a towel or pot holders to place the bowl on a table in front of a chair.
    • Be careful with the hot water because you can burn yourself.
  2. Use a pair of scissors to open the tea bag or rip it with your fingers. Then, sprinkle the tea leaves over the water. They will begin to steep immediately.
    • Use all of the tea leaves for best results.

    Tip: If you prefer, it’s okay to just dip the tea bag into the water. This will be easier to clean up but may not work as well since the green tea won’t be spread evenly around the bowl.

  3. The green tea will continue to steep as you do the steam. However, it’s best to give it about 1-2 minutes so that you can get the benefits of the green tea at the beginning of your steam. Plus, this gives your water time to cool a bit so you won’t scald your skin. Watch a clock or use a timer as you wait.
    • You should see the water changing colors as the tea releases its properties into it.
  4. Place a large bath towel over the back of your head and your shoulders. Then, lean over the bowl so that your face is directly over the steam. The towel will trap the steam around your face so that it can treat your skin.
    • Make sure the towel is surrounding the bowl on all sides to fully trap the steam.
    • If you get too hot, lift the towel to release some of the steam.
  5. Hold your face over the bowl for up to 10 minutes. Breathe in deeply and try to relax to create a spa experience. This gives the steam time to penetrate your skin and remove impurities.
    • If you start feeling hot, it’s okay to stop the treatment early.
    • It’s best to set a time for 5-10 minutes so that you know exactly how long you’ve been steaming your face.
  6. After your steam, go to the sink and turn on the cold water. Then, splash the cool water over your face to remove any sweat and impurities that the steam treatment drew out.
    • If you like, you can wash your face with a creamy cleanser, as well. However, this isn’t necessary.
  7. Use the bath towel or a hand towel to lightly blot your face dry. Then, you can continue with your normal facial care routine.
    • Repeat this treatment as often as once a week.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Mixing a Green Tea Mask

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  1. Brew a cup of green tea, then remove the tea bag and let it cool. Cut the tea bag open and dump the wet tea leaves into a bowl. Add about 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of honey to the tea leaves and combine them to make a paste. Apply the paste to your clean face and relax for 15 minutes before rinsing off the mask with warm water. [5]
    • Follow up with your favorite facial moisturizer.
    • This mask can exfoliate your skin, reduce redness, and treat acne.
    • Use this mask as often as once a week.
  2. Add 1 tbsp (2 g) green tea leaves, 2 US tbsp (30 mL) of honey, 1  tsp (4.9 mL) of coconut oil, and 2 US tbsp (30 mL) of lemon juice to a bowl. Then, use a whisk or spoon to combine the ingredients until they’re smooth. Apply the mask to your face with your fingers, then relax for 5-10 minutes. Finally, rinse off the mask with warm water.
    • Apply a moisturizer after you rinse off the mask.
    • This mask can moisturize your skin and may nourish it when it’s stressed or sunburned.
    • Use this mask as often as once or twice a week.
  3. Brew a cup of green tea, then pour it into a small baking sheet. Lay your rice paper over the green tea, making sure it’s totally saturated. Leave the rice paper to soak for 1-2 minutes, then pull it out of the green tea. Place the rice paper over your face and relax for 10-15 minutes before removing the sheet. Don’t worry about rinsing your face.
    • This mask fights inflammation and aging while moisturizing your skin.
    • Follow the mask with your favorite facial moisturizer.
    • Use this mask once or twice a week for best results.
  4. Steep a bag of green tea for about 5 minutes. Remove the teabag and let it cool. Then, put about 1 tbsp (2 g) of the wet tea leaves into a bowl. Add about 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of full-fat yogurt to the bowl and mix the ingredients until they’re combined. Use your fingers to apply the mask to your clean face and relax for up to 30 minutes. Finally, wet the mask with warm water, then scrub it off with your fingers. [6]
    • After you rinse your face, apply your favorite facial moisturizer.
    • Use this mask once a week at the most.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Adding Green Tea to Your Cleanser

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  1. You don’t need to brew the tea before you use it. Just cut or tear open a bag of green tea, then pour it into your bowl. [7] According to Dermatologist Lydia Shedlofsky, there are also some products that come with green tea already in them. She recommends that you "look for products with at least 3% green tea extract, and few added fragrances."
    • You can also use loose green tea. Pour about 1-2 tbsp (2-4 g) of loose green tea into your bowl.
  2. You can use any cream facial cleanser with green tea. Use a measuring spoon to measure out the cleanser and add it to your bowl. [8]
    • It’s best to use fragrance free cleanser because the green tea will add a light scent.
  3. Use a spoon or your finger to stir the tea and the cleanser to combine them. The mixture is ready when the flakes of green tea leaves look evenly dispersed in the cleanser. [9]
  4. Scoop the green tea onto your fingers, then apply it to your skin. Gently scrub your face by making circular motions with your fingers. Make sure you completely cover your face with an even layer of cleanser. [10]
    • This will lightly exfoliate your skin as you cleanse.
  5. While it’s optional, letting the cleanser set like a mask will help it slough off dead skin cells. The mask will soften the dead skin cells, then you’ll scrub them away while you rinse. Set a timer for 5 minutes and relax for best results. [11]
    • If you don’t have the 5 minutes to spare, it’s okay to go ahead and wash your face. However, leaving it to sit will provide more benefits.
  6. Splash warm water over the mask to wet it, then use your fingertips to scrub it using circular motions. Thoroughly rinse your skin using warm water to remove all of the mask. [12]
    • You can use green tea in your cleanser every day if you like. However, only leave it to sit for 5 minutes once or twice a week. Otherwise, it might start to stress your skin.
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What Should I Avoid When Caring For The Skin On My Face?


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  • Question
    Does green tea improve skin?
    Barbie Ritzman
    Beauty & Skincare Specialist
    Barbie Ritzman is a Beauty Specialist, Influencer, and the Owner of Barbie’s Beauty Bits. With over 10 years of experience in the beauty industry, she specializes in skincare and aesthetics. Barbie studied marketing at Tidewater Community College and holds a Certificate from the Media Buying Academy. For her work, she’s won Beauty Influencer of the Year - The USA and was featured in “The Allure 50,” which includes the year’s 50 most influential people in the beauty industry.
    Barbie Ritzman
    Beauty & Skincare Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Yes, green tea can help make skin brighter and its anti-inflammatory properties can help to reduce skin redness or blotches and to clear acne from skin. To gain the benefits from green tea, it is recommended that you drink it regularly and apply it to your skin; read through the article above to find out how to apply it to your skin effectively.
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  • Question
    How can green tea help clear skin?
    Barbie Ritzman
    Beauty & Skincare Specialist
    Barbie Ritzman is a Beauty Specialist, Influencer, and the Owner of Barbie’s Beauty Bits. With over 10 years of experience in the beauty industry, she specializes in skincare and aesthetics. Barbie studied marketing at Tidewater Community College and holds a Certificate from the Media Buying Academy. For her work, she’s won Beauty Influencer of the Year - The USA and was featured in “The Allure 50,” which includes the year’s 50 most influential people in the beauty industry.
    Barbie Ritzman
    Beauty & Skincare Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Green tea is rich in a polyphenol called catechins that effectively reduces skin inflammation. It also has powerful skin-soothing antibacterial agents that treat bacterial growth that causes acne. It helps kill systemic bacterial inflammation for smoother skin while minimizing sebum secretion.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    Does putting green tea on your face help acne?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    There are scientific studies that show a relationship between using green tea and improving your skin’s health, including acne (NIH). You can drink green tea for numerous health benefits, including reducing inflammation, which can serve as a means of reducing acne. Using green tea mixed into skin care products (commercially made or homemade) can also work to reduce acne; for homemade methods, see the suggestions outlined in the article above.
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      Tips

      • If you continue to use green tea and make it a regular routine, you will have refreshed and clean skin. It will start showing even bigger results when you use it all the time.
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      • Drinking green tea every day also helps you have better skin. Try drinking it twice a day to see results.
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        Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
      • If you're looking for commercial products, choose one with few added fragrances and at least 3% green tea extract.
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Cut a cotton pad in half and soak it in chilled green tea. Put it under your eyes and leave it for 10-15 minutes. Remove the eye pads. Use it every day in the morning or evening.
      • Boil some green tea (peppermint green tea is best!), leave it to cool, and use it as toner.
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      Warnings

      • Test each product on a small area of your arm to see if you have an allergic reaction before using it on your face or a large area of your body.
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      Things You'll Need

      Making a Green Tea Toner

      • Green tea
      • Water
      • Tea tree oil (optional)
      • Spoon (optional)
      • Clean bottle
      • Timer

      Mixing a Green Tea Mask

      • Green tea
      • Honey (optional)
      • Coconut oil (optional)
      • Lemon juice (optional)
      • Rice paper (optional)
      • Yogurt (optional)
      • Spoon
      • Timer

      Green Tea with Facial Cleanser

      • Green tea
      • Water
      • Bowl
      • Cream cleanser
      • Spoon
      • Timer

      Steaming Your Face with Green Tea

      • Large bowl
      • Boiling water
      • Green tea bag
      • Towel
      • Timer

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      References

      1. ↑ https://helloletsglow.com/diy-green-tea-facial-toner/
      2. ↑ https://divascancook.com/poreless-green-tea-toner/
      3. ↑ https://divascancook.com/poreless-green-tea-toner/
      4. ↑ https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/04/030425071800.htm
      5. ↑ https://witanddelight.com/2014/01/homemade-green-tea-honey-mask/
      6. ↑ https://thedailytea.com/wellness/3-green-tea-skincare-recipes-for-beautiful-skin/
      7. ↑ https://www.today.com/style/diy-facial-scrub-9-other-surprising-beauty-uses-tea-t102705
      8. ↑ https://www.today.com/style/diy-facial-scrub-9-other-surprising-beauty-uses-tea-t102705
      9. ↑ https://www.today.com/style/diy-facial-scrub-9-other-surprising-beauty-uses-tea-t102705
      1. ↑ https://www.today.com/style/diy-facial-scrub-9-other-surprising-beauty-uses-tea-t102705
      2. ↑ https://www.today.com/style/diy-facial-scrub-9-other-surprising-beauty-uses-tea-t102705
      3. ↑ https://www.today.com/style/diy-facial-scrub-9-other-surprising-beauty-uses-tea-t102705

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To use green tea on your face to achieve prettier skin, run a green teabag under hot water, cut it open, and empty its content into a small cup. Add a tablespoon or two of a cream cleanser, like Noxzema or Clearasil, to the cup and mix it together with the green tea. Spread the green tea mask on your face, let it rest for 5 minutes, then rinse it off. Another way to use green tea on your skin is to make a steam facial by putting boiling water in a bowl with the contents of a green teabag. Once the tea is thoroughly soaked in the hot water, drape a towel over your head and bend over the bowl. Hold your face over the steamy water for 5 minutes for a refreshing facial. To learn how to make a green tea toner, keep reading!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Amaka Aniakor

        Mar 30, 2016

        "Green tea facial steamer and facial cleanser are awesome. I use mistletoe tea for this. It's my everyday ..." more
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