• Green Tea has become an eminent ingredient in both cosmetics and skincare products. Concentrated with powerful antioxidants and vitamins, green tea provides anti-aging benefits by shielding the skin from harsh environmental exposure and the damaging effects of free radicals. Green tea has also been proven to assist in protecting the skin from sun damage. When applied topically, green tea not only quenches free radicals, but also reduces skin inflammation. Optimal sun protection is best achieved when a green tea skincare product is used in conjunction with sunscreen.Regular ingestion of green tea is beneficial to your health for many reasons, such as it’s ability to reduce cholesterol and it’s treatment of body aches, headaches and poor digestion. But drinking green tea alone, even in large amounts, is not enough to see and feel improvements in your skin. There are some simple ways to turn your green tea into highly potent skincare treatments. Visit Homemade Tea Skincare Recipes for a list of green tea recipes by skin type.

• Yarrow Herbal Tea is not as commonly known as green tea. However, yarrow tea is very helpful to oily skin. One cup of yarrow tea a day will help to control and balance oily skin. When breakout occurs, drinking an additional cup of yarrow tea in the morning and at night will help to clear the blemish(es) by reducing the production of sebum (oil) in the skin. Yarrow tea can also be used in astringent form if you prefer to only use it topically. Either way, be sure to use caution when employing yarrow tea as a treatment for your oily or acne skin. Studies have shown that excessive amounts of this tea can cause skin sensitivity to the sun. As always, be sure to apply an SPF of at least 30 to your skin daily.

• Black Tea (non-herbal) is known to help reduce redness and itchiness of the eyes. Simply moisten a couple of black tea bags with cool water and set them on your eyes for at least ten minutes. Black tea can also help to relieve sunburn. Steep six black tea bags in four cups of boiling water. Let the tea cool and then apply it to the skin with a cotton cloth. Do this repeatedly until the irritation of your sunburned skin subsides.

• Chamomile Herbal Tea is also great when used as an eye treatment. Moistened chamomile tea bags placed on the eyes after being chilled in the refrigerator will help to reduce puffiness. Chamomile tea added to a toner or masque will help to calm inflamed skin. This is a very gentle and natural approach to soothing sensitive and eczematic skin.

Here is a list of fantastic homemade tea recipes for skincare use. The shopping list of ingredients is small and inexpensive and the directions for use are super simple. Enjoy a hot cup of tea while treating your skin to a healthy and relaxing snack!Green Tea Masques:

- Dry Skin

• 2 teaspoons matcha green tea
• 1 teaspoon water
• 1 egg yolk

- Dehydrated Skin

• 2 teaspoons matcha green tea
• 1 teaspoon water
• 1 teaspoon honey

- Oily Skin

• 2 teaspoons matcha green tea
• 1 teaspoon water
• 1 teaspoon witch hazel

- Sensitive Skin

• 2 teaspoons matcha green tea
• 1 teaspoon water
• 1 teaspoon rose water

- Mature Skin

• 2 teaspoons matcha green tea
• 1 teaspoon water
• 1 egg white

Directions: Mix all three ingredients to form a paste. Apply to damp skin with fingertips and leave on for ten minutes. Remove with lukewarm water. Follow with green tea toner. Recipe is as follows:

Green Tea Toner:

• 4 teaspoons of loose green tea leaf
• 1 cup boiling mineral water

Directions: Steep the tea for 10 minutes in boiling mineral water. Then pour the tea into a small spritzer bottle and refrigerate until cool. Spray toner while skin is still moist from rinsing off mask. Follow with a moisturizer and sunscreen. Great for all skin types.

Chamomile Gel Masque:

• 1 package unflavored gelatin
• 1/2 cup chamomile tea

Directions: Steep one chamomile tea bag in 1/2 cup of boiling water for five minutes. Add gelatin to tea and stir until completely dissolved. Chill until almost set, about 30 minutes. Spread on face, avoiding eye area, and leave on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water. This a great skin softening, healing and hydrating masque for all skin types.

Chamomile Tea Toner:

• 4 teaspoons of chamomile loose tea leaf
• 1 cup boiling mineral water

Yarrow Tea Toner:

• 4 teaspoons of yarrow tea leaf
• 1 cup boiling mineral water

Directions: Steep the tea for 10 minutes in boiling mineral water. Then pour the tea into a small spritzer bottle and refrigerate until cool. Spray toner while skin is still moist from rinsing off mask. Follow with a moisturizer and sunscreen. Great for all skin types.