Kourtney Kardashian
Green tea is the grassy and fresh ritualistic elixir of the ages. We mean literally ages, and with good reason. It’s claimed to have been discovered by accident, sipped on by a Chinese emperor in water that had been serendipitously boiled with some of the fallen leaves. Champagne was also discovered by accident, so we take this in good faith. Rich in polyphenols and catechins, the antioxidant and nutritional power in green tea is life-changing on multiple levels. Drink up.
The green stuff is a great source of caffeine with less of the jittery effect you get from coffee, but it does so much more than perk you up. It’s also a great source of the amino acid L-theanine, which is able to cross the blood-brain barrier. This is important because it’s able to access your GABA neurotransmitter, raising dopamine levels and alpha waves in the brain. This means you get energy from the caffeine, yet stay relaxed and happy as opposed to getting a surge in anxious energy, according to PubMed. The catechins are also effective in protecting neurons from degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Sip it neatly bagged up, or consume the full leaf in an earthy, rich, ceremonial matcha to reap the benefits.
If you’re always looking for the next magic pill to help you drop a few, just … stop. Spoiler alert, they all have green tea in them. That’s because it’s been shown to boost your metabolism so you burn fat as energy quicker. This other study shows that green tea can raise your fat oxidation rate by a whopping 17%, meaning that the weight-loss powers don’t just lie in its metabolism-boosting prowess, but that it selectively chooses to burn fat as energy. Now that we have your attention, here’s one for the books: the crazy levels of polyphenols in green tea are super anti-inflammatory, protecting your body against aging, disease, and cancer.
Both internally and topically, green tea is antimicrobial on top of being anti-inflammatory. Use it as a spot treatment for acne, put cooled tea bags under tired eyes for a caffeine surge, or add matcha to your clay mask for an antioxidant boost. Packed with vitamins B and E, it revs up collagen production and soothes wrinkles, while the antioxidants go to war with early signs of aging. Green tea should be a go-to in your beauty arsenal, as an ingredient in your favorite products, or a DIY treatment.
Shop a few of our picks here:
SUPER ANTIOXIDANT GREEN TEA
Price: $7
Yogi
An organic blend with grapeseed, amla, and lemongrass for a potent medley of antioxidant power. It tastes refreshing and mildly tart, and is perfect hot or iced.
GREEN TEA BALANCING TONER
Price: $39
Herbivore
Jasmine water infused with green tea and willow bark as well as the classic witch hazel clarifies and tones to prep your skin for optimal hydration and absorption of your products, all while keeping an antimicrobial surface spotlessly clean and feeling refreshed. It comes in a spritz bottle, so reapply throughout the day, under or on top of makeup and sunscreen.
MATCHA COCONUT BUTTER
Price: $26
Cap Beauty
Probably one of the more novel ways to get your green tea in, this bright-green treat is delicious and a spreadable, melty, creamy texture. Smooth it on toast, a muffin, or a cookie, or blend it into other tea for a latte-like experience.
THE WATER CREAM
Price: $68
Tatcha
A powerful combo of Japanese botanicals and green tea make this lightweight hydrator not only effective but a super luxe experience. It helps minimize the appearance of pores and delivers an even glow.
GLOW INNER BEAUTY POWDER
Price: $18
The Beauty Chef
For a supercharged cocktail of skin-loving nutrients including matcha, you can seriously multitask with this beauty elixir. Mix into smoothies, or simply whip it up with some cold water as a refreshing, energizing treat for an inside-out approach.
REGENERATING + STIMULATING EXFOLIATOR
Price: $40
Province Apothecary
Calming yet energizing, this product lets you exfoliate your way to fresh, vibrant skin, while green tea revitalizes and reduces redness.
COSMIC MATCHA
Price: $40
Moon Juice
Collagen, adaptogens, and hyaluronic acid are an out-of-this-world blend with earthy, delicious, ceremonial-grade matcha for a whole-leaf experience that reaps super strong benefits. It has a slightly sweet, caramelly taste from the lucuma, an ingredient packed with B vitamins and zinc for extra beauty benefits.
SOLAR TRANSLUCENT BRONZER
Price: $36
Vapour Organic Beauty
Contour and highlight in one with this dewy, subtle bronzer spiked with green tea for an antioxidant boost. Because makeup and skincare can be one and the same.
