5 Surprising Beauty Hacks You Can Do With Green Tea Bags

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If you drink green tea on a regular basis, you’re in luck. Not only are you helping your body to detox and cleanse itself, but you have one of the best natural beauty items at your disposal for no additional cost: your leftover green tea bags. So don’t throw it out! Your leftover tea bags are great for combating common skin problems ranging from acne and sunburns to bug bites.

How does it work?

The secret lies in a little ingredient found naturally in green tea called tannin. It’s an antibacterial agent which stops the growth of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. When you drink green tea, it helps guard you against illnesses and protects your skin at the same time. So, after you prepare your favorite cup of tea as part of your morning ritual, save your bags and try one of these (virtually free!) beauty hacks using green tea.

SEE ALSO: Watch Your Mouth! 3 Simple Ways Language Will Change Your Life

1) Treat your acne

Got a pesky pimple problem you want to solve? Green tea is just as effective as any acne treatment you can find.

Remember tannin? It can also help remove toxins and bacteria directly from your active acne, which helps prevent irritation and further infections. Aside from this, green tea is also high in zinc, which is a mineral you’d commonly find in topical creams because of its antimicrobial property. It also helps to soothe skin and reduce swelling.

How to treat acne:

The next time you are finished sipping your green tea, apply the bag directly to your face and rub gently in a circular motion around active acne. Make sure to do this on a clean face to avoid pushing dirt further into your pores.

2. Treat your acne scars

Wherever acne goes, scarring is not too far behind. In fact, if you suffer from acne you probably also have some scarring. Luckily, green tea not only fights acne but also scarring from previous breakouts. One of the most potent compounds found in green tea, catechin ECGC, is highly effective at reducing skin inflammation. When your skin is less inflamed, the severity of your acne sores decreases as well.

This limits the formation of scars and promotes skin cell repair at the same time.

How to treat acne scars:

Boil two cups of water and add two tablespoons of loose green tea. Allow the tea to steep for ten minutes. When the water is at a comfortable temperature, place a washcloth directly into the tea. Apply the washcloth to your skin and allow it to soak the area. Make sure the water is not too hot to prevent irritation.

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3. Soothe sunburns and bug bites

Spending too much time out in the sun? Or maybe you forgot to use bug spray while you were camping? The tannin in green tea isn’t only great for acne, but it is also effective for other skin problems, including sunburns and bug bites.

How to treat sunburns and bug bites:

Freeze an ice cube tray of green tea. Wrap a washcloth around one of the cubes and apply it to your skin.

4. Treat baggy eyes and remove puffiness

Did you have a “too good” weekend? Reduce your under-eye bags and puffiness by placing a chilled green tea bag under your eyes. This hack works in two ways:

• The cold tea bag helps to constrict the blood vessels under your eyes, reducing puffiness.
• The antioxidants in green tea also help to reduce swelling and redness.

How to treat eye bags and puffiness:

Put four green tea bags and one tablespoon of freshly grated ginger root in a mug with hot water. Let it steep for 15 minutes. Gently squeeze out the tea bags and place them in a plastic bag in the freezer. Use when chilled.

5. Face mask to rejuvenate your skin

With all the good press that green tea gets, you should try a do-it-yourself mask! Not only will it treat acne, scarring, and puffiness, but it will also give your skin a rejuvenating glow. This is the perfect introduction to at-home mask-making because it’s great for sensitive skin, and the possibility of irritation is minimal.

How to make a face mask:

For a gentle exfoliating scrub that combats acne and moisturizes your skin, mix green tea, honey, and brown sugar. For a single use, place one tea bag in half a cup of water and let it cool. After 10 minutes, mix one-part tea with three-parts brown sugar. Add about a tablespoon of honey.

Scrub gently on your face and rinse off. Using green tea on your skin can do tons of things for your skin. It won’t make you break out or even irritate your skin. It’s great for people with sensitive or temperamental skin and those people who are looking for great ways to getting more beautiful without breaking the bank.