Ingredient Highlight: Green Tea

Ingredient Highlight: Green Tea

Green tea has been used for centuries in traditional medicine, & has recently gained popularity in the skincare world for its many benefits. It is rich in antioxidants that can protect the skin from damage, has anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe the skin, & may also help improve skin elasticity. At Hark & Zander, we use Green Tea extract in our award-winning HempHydrate Refreshing Gel Toner!

Let's take a look at some of the benefits Green Tea extract can offer us when used in skincare!

Antioxidant properties

Green tea is rich in antioxidants such as catechins & polyphenols, which help protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells & cause signs of ageing such as wrinkles, fine lines, & age spots. The antioxidants in green tea neutralise these free radicals, helping to protect the skin from damage & maintain a youthful appearance.

Anti-inflammatory properties

Green tea also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help soothe & calm irritated skin. Inflammation is a natural response of the body to injury or infection, but chronic inflammation can lead to a variety of skin problems such as acne, rosacea, & eczema. Green tea's anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce redness & inflammation in the skin, making it a great ingredient for those with sensitive or reactive skin.

Improves skin elasticity

Green tea may also help improve skin elasticity. A study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology found that a topical application of green tea extract resulted in significant improvement in skin elasticity after just four weeks. This is due to the presence of compounds called catechins, which have been shown to improve the production of collagen & elastin in the skin.

Reduces dark circles & puffiness

Green tea can also help reduce dark circles & puffiness under the eyes. The caffeine in green tea helps constrict blood vessels, which reduces the appearance of dark circles & puffiness. Additionally, green tea contains tannins, which have astringent properties that help tighten & firm the skin.

With all of these incredible benefits, there's no reason not to give it a try! If you would like to read more of our ingredient highlight's check out our post on the benefits of Jojoba Oil!