Why Matcha Green Tea Should Be More Than Just Your Favorite Drink

Everywhere we look, it seems as though superfoods have taken over. We’re adding them to our smoothies, we’re making teas out of them and we’re even formulating our anti-aging skin care products with them. That being said, superfoods in skin care is nothing new. In fact, many of them have been used for centuries to promote beauty from the inside out. And one beauty food in particular has left its mark on skin care and beauty products alike: matcha green tea.

Matcha green tea is a type of---you guessed it---green tea that is boosted with antioxidant-rich vitamins and minerals. According to esthetician and founder of LaBelle Day Spas & Salons, Bella Schneider, what makes matcha so special is that it is grown differently than regular green tea. “It’s covered from direct sunlight 20 to 30 days before harvest in order to increase its chlorophyll levels and production of amino acids,” says Schneider. Once the leaves are harvested, they’re then turned into a potent powder.

So, how can matcha be of benefit to the body’s largest organ? According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman, Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and author of Skin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist, “it can improve inflamed skin, it’s good for exfoliation and protects skin from free radical damage.” But, that’s not all. “Matcha is a wonderful treatment for people with oilier skin complexion due to its purification, detoxing and antibacterial benefits,” adds Schneider. “Matcha also helps rejuvenate skin that lacks oxygen, as a result of sleepless nights, smoking and toxicities in the air.”

Used for centuries in Asian cultures, the anti-aging superfood can now be found in anything from face masks to even hydrogel eye masks. We share some of our favorite skin care products formulated with matcha green tea, here:

2. Elemis Superfood Matcha Eye Dew 15ml

Elemis Superfood Matcha Eye Dew 15ml

RRP: $42.00Current price: $33.60

COMING SOON

Kiss puffy eyes goodbye with Elemis Superfood Matcha Eye Dew. Formulated with matcha tea, kiwi and a natural prebiotic, this eye gel quenches thirsty skin, brightens dark under-eye circles and works to de-puff the eye contour.

4. ELEMIS Superfood Day Cream (1.6 fl. oz.)

ELEMIS Superfood Day Cream (1.6 fl. oz.)

8 reviews

$48.00

COMING SOON

Rejuvenate your complexion and balance your skin’s moisture levels with ELEMIS Superfood Day Cream. Enriched with a blend of powerful anti-aging ingredients---matcha green tea and probiotics—this natural cream works its magic to revitalize skin cells, reduce irritation, and improve circulation---all while helping to nourish, soften, tone and hydrate the complexion.

5. mio Clay Away Body Cleanser 200 ml.

mio Clay Away Body Cleanser 200 ml.

Save 60%

RRP: $22.00Current price: $8.80

QUICK BUY

Mio's best-selling Clay Away Body Cleanser is formulated with plant-based ingredients like purifying green clay. This refreshing wash doubles as a full body mask, leaving your skin feeling soothed and deeply cleansed.