You’ll be in one of two camps here – either a matcha latte is your go-to coffee order, or you’ve seen someone with a green drink in hand and immediately eye-rolled.
Whether you’re familiar with this funny green powder or it’s totally new to you, we’ve got the lowdown on the benefits of matcha for your entire body, and more specifically, how it can improve your skin.
What is matcha?
Matcha is a super fine powder made from dried green tea leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years (since the 8th century) and as a meditation aid in Japan since the 12th century. More recently, it has become widely available as a health food supplement, cropping up in lattes, smoothies and even, rather counterintuitively, chocolates.
Why is it trending?
There are lots of reasons why matcha is becoming increasingly popular, from the aesthetics of it (a mint green latte looks far more wholesome on your grid than a mug of filter coffee) to the health-related (matcha is a powerful antioxidant and thought to improve our brain and liver functions). Another reason is that while it does contain caffeine, it doesn’t contain quite so much as regular tea or coffee so it will still give you that much-needed energy boost, but without the shake-inducing spike of a double espresso.
What can matcha do for your skin?
As an antioxidant, matcha can help to defend the skin from free radicals emitted by environmental aggressors like UV rays, pollution and blue light. Free radicals damage healthy cells, leading to things like accelerated ageing, hyperpigmentation and dehydration.
Another benefit of matcha green tea for skin is its potential to bring down inflammation. This is especially helpful if you have acne or rosacea-prone skin, both of which are inflammatory conditions.
What’s the difference between ingesting matcha and applying it to your skin?
The effects from ingesting matcha versus applying it to the skin will be considerably different. You’re not going to get an energy boost from using, say, a serum containing matcha.
When we eat, drink or take supplements, our skin is right at the back of the queue (along with our hair and nails) for all the good stuff.
Equally, if you enjoy a matcha drink, you’re unlikely to see any benefits in your skin. When we eat, drink or take supplements, our skin is right at the back of the queue (along with our hair and nails) for all the good stuff. Applying matcha-infused formulas topically gives the skin maximum opportunity to lap up all of those antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Can matcha make your skin glow?
Can matcha make your skin glow? Possibly. But what it can definitely do is help to stop skin from looking dull. Free radicals rob our skin of radiance and also lead to hyperpigmentation which can inhibit light from bouncing evenly off of our complexion. By sending free radicals packing before they’ve had a chance to damage the skin, antioxidants, like the ones found in matcha, will enable your skin to hold on to its glow for a healthier, more vibrant-looking complexion.
Benefits of introducing matcha to your routine
These are the benefits of introducing matcha to your skincare routine:
Enhanced glow: By minimising the negative impact of things like UV rays, pollution, cigarette smoke and blue light on our skin, matcha helps to supercharge our skin’s radiance.
Improved defences: Think of matcha like the beauty equivalent of wearing a raincoat in a storm - it can help to defend against external aggressors.
Reduced hyperpigmentation: Hyperpigmentation forms when a skin cell called a melanocyte goes into overdrive and creates more pigment than is needed. This malfunction is triggered by UV rays, so the more protected our skin is, the less likely this will happen in the first place. Matcha is rich in antioxidants, which help ward off damage caused by UV rays. Think of it as the glamorous, health-conscious assistant to your daily SPF.
Soothed skin: Matcha is believed to have anti-inflammatory benefits, meaning it can help to calm extremely sensitive skin and complexions prone to things like acne.
