I recently discovered Matcha Tea.  I’m sure I’m behind the times and it’s old news, but this stuff is amazing!  I’ve been drinking it a lot and truly think it has helped me to slim down some.  Plus, it has amazing antioxidant values.

Why Antioxidants Important are Important

Antioxidants are critical for good heath. They fight free radicals that are responsible for aging and disease.  There’s a theory called Free-Radical Theory of Aging that we age over time due to free radical damage. So if we feed our bodies things that fight free radicals, like antioxidants, then the theory is we can slow down aging and all the negative things we associate with it like wrinkled skin and disease.  Nice, huh?

There are lots of different antioxidants and they come from different sources.  For example, there are well-known vitamin antioxidants like Vitamins C & E.  There are lesser-known enzyme antioxidants like Superoxide Dismutase.  But the antioxidants from Green Tea are classified as Phytochemical Antioxidants, which plants use to protect themselves from free radical damage.

When we utilize these plant sources (i.e. Matcha Green Tea), we access these important antioxidants.  Phytochemical Antioxidants are divided into different categories and all green teas are high in polyphenols, or more specifically, catechins.  Catechins make their living, so to speak, by eating free radicals (see the cute chart to the right to get an idea of how this works).  And they are more powerful than vitamins C & E in halting oxidative stress.

How Antioxidants Benefit Your Skin

So, you’re thinking, ok. I get it.  I need to eat & drink foods and teas with lots of antioxidants.  But does applying them to my skin do anything?  Glad you asked!

UV Protection

Both animal and human studies have shown green tea applied to the skin to reduce sun damage by quenching free radicals and reducing inflammation.  So while it doesn’t block UV rays like vitamin C, it can work great in conjunction with it to prevent premature aging.

Help for Rosacea

In another study, green tea extract was shown to be effective in reducing rosacea. That’s why our Green Tea Cleanser is so great for rosacea suffers since it reduces redness and inflammation.  Plus, since rosacea sufferers are notoriously sensitive to the sun, the UV protection from catechins are an added bonus.

Wrinkles, Skin Firmness, and Elasticity

What about wrinkles and sagging?  The jury is still out on that.  There have been some small studies that show that green tea extract has improved the skin’s matrix leading to firmer skin tone. I’ve read several bloggers who swear by doing Matcha Tea Mask once a week saying it brightens their complexion and gives them a glow.  I found that my skin did look brighter after using it.

The main benefits of Matcha seems to come from consuming it, but applying it directly to your skin is a better option than skin care developed in a lab.

The Magic of Matcha

So why Matcha Tea?  Why not just grind up some green tea leaves and make a mask from that?  Well, that’s exactly what’s been done for you!  Matcha Tea is the whole tea leaf that has been ground into a powder.  When you brew traditional tea, you’re only getting an infusion.  But with Matcha you get up to 10 times the antioxidants because you’re ingesting the actual tea leaf.

ORAC Value

There is a term called ORAC value that provides a measurement of antioxidant value of a given food item.  It was developed by the National Institute on Aging in the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  The higher the number, the more antioxidant power it has.  There’s a cool website called ORAC Values that you can search if you want to look up some of the food you include in your diet to see if they are providing the punch you want.  Or maybe you’ll see another food that gives you way more antioxidant protection than a current one you’ve been enjoying and a simple switch can make a lot of difference in your health.  As you can see from the chart below, Matcha’s ORAC value is extremely high (click on the picture to enlarge).

Recipes

Here are 2 simple recipes you can whip up at home.  If you can’t find Matcha Green Tea at your local market, you can buy it by clicking here.

Face Mask #1

Best for Oily to Normal Skin

• 1 tsp. Matcha Green Tea
• Few drops of Water or Aloe Vera Gel

Put Matcha Green Tea into a small bowl and slowly add water or aloe vera gel.  You don’t want to add too much liquid or it won’t stay on your face.  Aim for a thicker consistency than thinner.

Apply to clean face and leave on 15 minutes or longer if desired.

Face Mask #2

Best for Dry Skin

• 2 tsp. Matcha Green Tea
• 1/2 tsp. Organic Coconut Oil
• Water

Put Matcha Green Tea in a bowl.  Add coconut oil and a few drops of water.  Mix until a thick paste forms.  Add only enough water to make it spreadable.  Avoid adding too much water or it will not stay on your face.

Apply to clean face and leave on 15 minutes or longer if desired.

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