With increased awareness about healthy eating, green tea has come into the lime light and it has started to replace the more popular beverages like black tea and coffee because of its numerous health benefits.

But did you know that the benefits of green tea are not limited to physical health only. Research and scientific studies indicate that the powerful antioxidants in green tea have the capacity to deactivate free radicals by binding to them and prevent them from causing skin damage, inflammation and cancer.

It is due to this reason that green tea is being used as one of the main ingredients in commercial skin care products. But what better way to make the most out this amazing ingredient than using it in its natural form in homemade face masks and packs?

In this article, we have put together a list of some of the most effective face masks using green tea for all skin types.

Benefits of Green Tea for Skin

• Polyphenols known as catechins found in green tea have potent anti-inflammatory properties that helps to reduce inflammation and skin damage caused due to excessive sun exposure.
• Green tea also possesses powerful antibacterial properties that fight off the acne and pimple-causing bacteria.
• Catechin EGCG found in green tea is a potent antioxidant that reactivates and rejuvenates damaged and dying skin cells and prevents free radical damage which helps to slow down the aging process of the skin and prevents the appearance of wrinkles, age spots, etc.
• Tannins present in green tea works as a natural astringent that shrinks the size of skin pores and reduce the production of sebum which in turn helps to treat the problems of oily skin.

DIY Homemade Green Tea Face Mask Recipes for Glowing Skin

Green Tea and Honey Face Mask (For Dry Skin) – The combination of green tea and honey makes a rich and moisturizing face mask suitable for normal to dry skin. The humectant properties of honey help to retain moisture in the skin and prevent it from becoming excessively dry.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of green tea leaves or powder
• 1/2 tablespoon of raw honey

Procedure:

1. Add the honey to the green tea powder
2. Mix well to make a thick paste
3. Spread it over your face and neck and massage in a circualr motion for 2 minutes
4. Now, leave it on for 20 minutes and then clean your face with a wet washcloth

Tip – You can also use Matcha green tea instead of regular green tea for this face mask if you want to correct uneven skin tone.

Green Tea and Lemon Mask (For Oily Skin) – The natural bleaching properties of lemon juice not only helps to correct skin discoloration or remove tan, but also controls sebum production which makes it a perfect ingredient for oily and pimple-prone skin.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of green tea leaves
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Water

Procedure:

1. Soak the green tea in 1/2 cup of hot water for 5 minutes
2. Let it cool a bit and then add the lemon juice to it
3. Mix well and apply it all over the face
4. Leave it on for 10 minutes and then wash off with cool water

Caution – Lemon juice makes the skin more sensitive to sun light so it is recommended not to go out in the sun after applying this mask.

Green Tea and Olive Oil Mask (Dry Skin and Eczema) – This is yet another moisturizing face mask for dry skin. The intense moisturizing properties of olive oil make it an amazing natural treatment for extra-dry skin.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of green tea leaves
• Few drops of olive oil
• Water

Procedure:

1. Take the green tea leaves in a bowl
2. Pour a small amount of hot water over the leaves and let them steep for 5 minutes
3. Now add a few drops of olive oil to it and mix it well
4. Apply the mixture all over your face and massage for 2 minutes
5. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes and then wash off with water

Green Tea and Aloe Vera Face Mask (For Sensitive Skin) – The anti-inflammatory and cooling properties of aloe vera gel makes it a perfect ingredient for sensitive skin that nourishes the skin without causing irritation, burning, stinging or redness.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon green tea leaves or powder
• 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel

Procedure:

1. Take both the ingredients in a bowl
2. Mix it thoroughly using a spoon
3. Apply this mixture all over your face and neck
4. Let it dry for 20 to 30 minutes
5. Rinse off with lukewarm water

Green Tea and Peppermint Face Mask (For Pimples and Acne) – The potent antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds present in green tea itself is enough to fight acne and pimple-causing bacteria. Peppermint helps to prevent the breakout of pimples and acne by removing sebum that clogs the pores.

Ingredients:

• Handful of mint leaves
• 2 tablespoons of green tea leaves
• Water

Procedure:

1. Add some warm water to the green tea and let it soak for few minutes
2. Put the soaked green tea in a blender and add the mint leaves to it
3. Blend the ingredients to form a smooth paste
4. Apply this paste all over your face and neck
5. Leave it on for 20 minutes and wash off with cool water

Green Tea and Turmeric Face Mask (For blemishes, scars and acne spots) – Compound curcumin present in turmeric contains powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that helps to lighten skin complexion by controlling excess production of melanin and helps to treat hyperpigmentation, acne spots, sun tan, etc.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of green tea powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• Water

Procedure:

1. Take the green tea powder in a bowl and add a little of warm water to it
2. Mix it to form a paste like consistency and let it sit for 5 minutes
3. Now, add the turmeric to it and give it another mix
4. Apply this paste all over your face and neck and massage for 2 minutes
5. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes and then wash off with cool water

Caution – Turmeric can stain your cloths so be careful while using it in this recipe.

Green Tea and Apple Cider Vinegar Face Mask (To brighten dull skin) – The  Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) present in apple cider vinegar works as natural exfoliants that remove the layer of dead skin cells from the skin surface and gives it a natural glow.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of green tea leaves or powder
• 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
• Water

Procedure:

1. Take the green tea in a bowl
2. Add a teaspoon of each of apple cider vinegar and water to the tea
3. Mix it thoroughly to form a thin paste
4. Apply this paste all over your face and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes
5. Wash off with cool water

Tip – You can also add a teaspoon of raw honey to this recipe to give it a thicker consistency.

Green Tea and Egg White Face Mask (To Close Open Pores) – Large open opens on the cheeks, nose and forehead gives an uneven look to the skin and makes it more prone to pimples and acne due to excess sebum production. Both green tea and egg whites have astringent properties that can shrink these large pores and give an even appearance to the skin.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of green tea
• 1 egg white
• Water

Procedure:

1. Steep 2 tablespoons of green tea in 1/2 cup of warm water
2. Let is steep for 5 minutes and then strain the tea
3. Take 1 egg white in a bowl and beat it well
4. Now, add 2 tablespoons of the green tea to it and mix well
5. Apply this mixture all over your face by soaking a cotton ball in it
6. Let it dry out completely and then wash off with cool water

Green Tea and Yogurt Face Mask (For Glowing Skin) – Lactic acid, the key ingredient in yogurt is an alpha hydroxy acid that works as a gentle exfoliant that removes dead skin cells and dirt from the skin and gives it a healthy glow.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon plain, unflavoured yogurt
• 1 tablespoon green tea powder
• Water

Procedure:

1. Add some warm water to the green tea and let it steep for 2 minutes
2. Mix it with a spoon and add the yogurt to it
3. Beat it with a whisk to form a smooth paste
4. Apply this paste all over your face
5. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes and then wash off with lukewarm water

Green Tea and Rice Flour Face Mask (For Exfoliation and tan removal) – The mild granular nature of rice flour makes it an effective natural exfoliant that removes dead skin cells and lightens tan without irritating the skin.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon green tea powder
• 1 tablespoon rice flour
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Water as needed

Procedure:

1. Take the green tea powder, rice flour and honey in a bowl
2. Mix using a spoon and add some water to it so that you have a thick yet soft consistency
3. Apply this mixture all over your face and massage for 2 to 3 minutes
4. Leave it on for 20 minutes and then wash off with water

Other than these face masks, you can also apply cold green tea to your skin as a facial toner, or steep a couple of cotton pads in green tea and apply it on your eyes to reduce puffiness. Green tea is a versatile ingredient that can be used for all skin types safely without causing skin irritation or allergic reactions.