Formally known as camellia sinensis, green tea is a great way to perk up tired skin. Camellia sinensis leaf extract is gaining popularity in toners, cleansers, and hydrating serums. While store-bought brands may give you that wet look, I’m not a fan of some of the ingredients. Toxic parabens and retinol and tongue twisters like butylene glycol and ethylhexylglycerin, to name a few.
Some green tea serums add ingredients like panthenol, squalane, allantoin, and peptides. These have their benefits, but can be difficult to obtain outside of a laboratory. This green tea serum uses simple, natural ingredients for easy skin care.
Benefits of green tea for the skin
Most of us know how healthy a cup of green tea can be, but it’s also great for our skin. Green tea is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols such as EGCG. These help protect against skin damage caused by UV rays and environmental pollution.
The polyphenols in green tea also help restore the vitamin C our skin needs to produce collagen. In this way it can help combat expression lines and improve the firmness and tone of the skin. The properties of green tea help soothe skin irritation and redness and help calm inflammation.
Green tea also contains caffeine, which helps stimulate circulation in the skin. You will sometimes find caffeine in eye creams to reduce dark spots and puffiness under the eyes. Caffeine also helps reduce cellulite by breaking down fat molecules deep in the skin.
It is important to note that topical use of green tea alone is not the best way to get fit. Studies demonstrating its benefits for cellulite used high levels of caffeine. While green tea can help improve skin, it is still important to choose healthy foods.
Acne or oily skin sufferers can also see the benefits of adding green tea to their skin care routine. It not only reduces sebum, but also reduces inflammation and redness.
Apricot Kernel Oil
The other key ingredient in this serum is apricot kernel oil. Not only is it non-greasy, but it is deeply hydrating and a great option for dry, irritated or sensitive skin. Apricot kernel oil is also rich in vitamin A and essential fatty acids to improve skin elasticity. It is also high in vitamin E to protect the skin from oxidative damage and inflammation.
Apricot seeds are unique because they have the highest known concentration of vitamin B-17 in the world. Also known as amygdalin, B17 is being studied for its potential anti-cancer benefits. A 2023 review explores how B17 may not only kill cancer cells but may also inhibit their growth and spread. While there is no conclusive evidence on the anti-cancer benefits of apricot kernel, the research is promising.
Add essential oils to green tea serum
Essential oils help give it a pleasant aroma and have many benefits of their own for the skin. There are many skin-safe essential oils with a variety of benefits. You can choose your favorites, but here are the ones I used and why.
ylang-ylang
Ylang ylang stimulates cell growth and has anti-aging benefits. It reduces inflammation and harmful bacteria on the skin, which also makes it good for acne. Ylang ylang is good for a variety of skin types and has many aromatherapy benefits. This essential oil helps us stay calm in stressful situations and can even lower blood pressure. It also works well in a calming pillow spray.
It has a strong aroma, so be sure to smell it before adding it to your serum. I like to add it in small amounts to complement (not overwhelm!) the overall serum. Ylang ylang may irritate the skin if used at a dilution greater than 0.8%. This green tea serum uses less than 0.5%, but you can easily cut the amount in half if you prefer.
Sweet orange essential oil
Unlike most citrus essential oils, sweet orange is not phototoxic. This means that it will not cause burns or skin damage if used before sun exposure. The fruity notes of orange help balance the deeper florals of ylang ylang oil. Reduces blemishes and improves mood to reduce stress.
Don’t have ylang ylang and orange essential oil? Here are some other good options to add:
- tea tree
- Lavender
- Incense
- Pink
- Geranium
How to Make Green Tea Infused Oil
There are a few different ways to take advantage of the benefits of green tea in skin care. You can use glycerin to make a green tea glycerin. Then there is simply steeping green tea in water. This is great when you want a quick toner, but only lasts a few days in the refrigerator.
For this serum we are preparing a green tea infused oil. This way, it combines well with other carrier oils for additional benefits. And since it’s not water-based, there’s no need to add preservatives or store it in the refrigerator. You can use any carrier oil you prefer for your skin type.
- Olive oil and avocado oil are heavier and good for more mature skin.
- Sweet almond oil is lighter and good for most skin types.
Below we explain how to make a solar infusion with green tea. To infuse the oil, simply add the green tea and oil to your jar and cover it. Shake occasionally and infuse for approximately 4 weeks.
For a quicker version, here’s the stovetop method:
- Add 1/2 cup carrier oil and 2 tablespoons loose leaf green tea to the top of a double boiler.
- Gently boil the water in the bottom of the double boiler for 3 hours. Refill water as needed.
- Strain the green tea from the oil and it is ready to use.
Green Tea Whey Recipe
This homemade green tea serum helps revitalize tired skin and is ideal for all skin types. It’s also anti-aging and helps reduce inflammation!
Produce: 2 ounces
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Add all ingredients to a 2-ounce glass dropper bottle.
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Shake well and store in a cool, dry place.
- This serum will last between 6 and 12 months, depending on the carrier oil you use to infuse the green tea.
- How to use: Apply a small amount to clean, dry skin to moisturize.
Other homemade skin care recipes
If you still feel like doing it yourself, try some of these skin care recipes!
What is your favorite way to use green tea? Leave a comment and let us know!
