Green Tea - Your Best Skin Tea

Green Tea, now also known as 'Skin Tea', is said to have originated in China over 4

,000 years ago. It is a pretty plant called Camelia Sinensis that the leaves for the tea are taken from. The leaves are steamed during production of the tea; this steaming saves the vital antioxidants it holds from being destroyed. The antioxidants mentioned are scientifically known as Catechin Polypheols, the most important of them being, EGCG.

EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate), is an amazingly powerful antioxidant. Just one cup of Green Tea has 10-40mg of polyphenols, and with this, has a greater antioxidant effect than one serving of broccoli, spinach, strawberries and carrots. EGCG along with some other polyphenols found in Green Tea were found to arouse behavior in mature keratinocytes. By stimulating these aged cells, a biological energy was created that provoked the cells to renew and re-divide themselves once again. With this reaction going on with the skins cells, then the skin in turn, naturally, will have a renewed and youthful look. This discovery has given Green Tea its other nickname, 'The Fountain Of Youth', and rightly so!

We have all heard about free radicals at some point. These free radicals are electrons that are in an 'unpaired' state and are very reactive because of this. They roam around the body looking for other electrons to pair up with. In terms of skincare, free radicals can age the skin by continually damaging the skins delicate cell membranes. They can also weaken the skin, by destroying the healthy keratinocyte cells that protect the skin. Some are naturally produced within the body, but sources outside of the body are the largest contributors to the amount found in the body. Smoking, UV radiation and ozone are but a few of these outside sources. However, on a good note EGCG has the ability to kill these free radical electrons. You probably have an urge to go and make a cuppa now!

Another interesting fact regarding EGCG's ability to kill free radicals is in relation to sun care. Whether we are sunbathing or just going about our business and happen to be in the sun, we are in danger of being hit with UV rays. We have just learned that EGCG can amazingly destroy free radicals. By using Green Tea's benefits along with your sun care routine, you can prevent free radical damage to your skin. EGCG does not protect against free radicals, however for those that get in through the suncream, they can be destroyed by it. Having a large cup of this skin tea after you have spent time in the sun will have a largely decreasing effect of free radical numbers. This is truly one of the most important facts about Green Tea, considering that 90% of all signs of premature ageing is due to UV radiation.

Other little facts worth knowing:

1)Green Tea contains Vitamin B, which protects and repairs tissues of the skin, hair and nails.

2)EGCG is 100 times more powerful than Vitamin C and 25 times more beneficial than Vitamin E to your skin.

3)By adding some freshly squeezed lemon juice to your cup of skin tea you can boost its ability to fight cancer.

4)Antioxidants inhibit the release of Histamine, which in turn lowers the skins sensitivity, great news for anyone with Acne Rosacea!

by: Aoife Joyce

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