Matcha Green Tea is loaded with antioxidants, the substances that help prevent or slow cell damage caused by free radicals that are produced by our body in response to environmental and other triggers. Actually, matcha has up to 137 times the antioxidants of regular green tea, and you know what loves antioxidants? Our skin! Matcha can be both consumed and applied topically and can bring so matcha benefits to your skin. Read on to find out how!
Matcha benefits the anti-aging process
Keeping your skin healthy from the inside and the outside is matcha-ly appreciated by many a body. With the skin being our largest organ, the choices we make with what we put inside our bodies and what our skin is exposed to on the outside (think sun exposure, air pollution, the questionable face mask from Aunty Ann on your birthday) can slow down or speed up the aging process. Enter, matcha tea to help address the cell damage associated with our aging process.
Skin loves antioxidants. Antioxidants work to combat free radicals. What’s a free radical again? Great question. A free radical is a cell that disrupts our health, causing what is known as oxidative stress (rust occurring on metals is an example of oxidative stress). There are a number of foods that are high in antioxidants, and our bodies (including our skin) benefit from consuming foods like blueberries, kale, dark chocolate, and matcha.
Known as a superfood, matcha benefits outweigh other superfoods in the antioxidant arena with these stats:
- Matcha has 7 times the antioxidants compared to dark chocolate
- Matcha has 17 times the antioxidants found in blueberries
- Matcha has 60 times the antioxidants found in spinach
What’s more, your skin can benefit from matcha being in a powdered form as it’s a little easier to create a face mask for topical application (keep reading for how to make one).
Matcha benefits combating skin cancer
Free radicals may play a role in the formation of cancers, and studies featured on cancer.org have shown that green tea can help prevent skin cancer. The green tea plant (which matcha comes from) contains plant chemicals known as polyphenols, which have been reported as having tumour-inhibiting properties. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nature of polyphenols has been shown to reduce UV damage that has occurred to skin.
Matcha benefits your skin in Acne reduction
Acne occurs on the skin when skin pores become blocked, either from oil, dead skin cells, or bacteria. When acne appears, it can impact how we feel about ourselves, and we want to feel comfortable in our skin, right? This is where matcha can benefit you once again if this is a challenge you and your skin are familiar with.
Matcha helps promote clear skin over acne, thanks to its antioxidant and antifungal properties. Unlike cosmetic skincare products, the benefits of matcha are you can support your skin from the inside AND the outside, by creating a face mask.
