The history of Japanese Green Tea, also known as Matcha, has been around for centuries. Its story can be traced with surety back to the 9th century, as Japanese monks who were studying abroad in China came back with tea trees and began to examine their properties. They found the properties to not only be therapeutic in drinking but also possess other healing characteristics. From providing energy to mental focus which catalyzed their meditation to the detoxing power and an ability to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol, green tea quickly developed a reputation that spread beyond the borders of Asia and has now become a prevalent part of life in the modern world.
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Today’s listing of Green Tea benefits not only include those above, but science has also found there to be numerous applications when used on the skin as well, including use as a green tea hydrating facial.
Benefits of Green Tea
Fights Skin Cancer and Aging
One of the multiple antioxidants found in Green tea is Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG promotes DNA repair by fighting the damage done by UV rays. This property also means it combats signs of aging when applied topically or orally. It is the most prevalent of the catechins in tea and while it cannot be viewed as an ultimate solution or prevention, it is an effective part of a strategy.
Anti-Inflammatory
Catechins are one of the most powerful and numerous tenets of tea and provide a number of far-reaching effects, including reduction of irritation, redness, and swelling. The hydration it provides to the skin enables the properties of the skin to heal itself in a quicker and more efficient way.
Clear Skin
The catechins present in tea that reduce inflammation are also a part of a powerful antibacterial agent for treating acne and congested pores. They damage bacterial membranes and with their anti-infection properties, kill the bacterial growth that causes acne and systemic inflammation, resulting in smoother and toned skin. The presence of Vitamins B2 and E also play large roles in the maintenance of proper skin health.
Alert Eyes
Besides the catechins, the caffeine and tannins in green tea also have a positive benefit in that they will shrink the blood vessels around the eyes. This makes them especially effective in treating puffy eyes and black circles, enabling people to retain alertness and combat fatigue.
Grows Hair
The green tea leaf fibers have also been proven to stimulate the growth of hair as the catechins and polyphenols will promote cell turnover in the hair follicles. This benefit, again, is not an ultimate solution but can be a part of a larger strategy on how to naturally enable hair growth.
Why a Mask?
As described, there are numerous benefits to using green tea as a hydrator for skin when taken either orally or topically. The winter season alone can dry out your skin, but there are also a number of other factors that can wreak havoc on the most exposed and potentially vulnerable organ in your body. Utilizing a face mask will actually help soothe the skin and help dry skin to feel soft and moisturized.
The time involved in the process of applying a face mask means it has the required window to properly be applied and become more effective. The saturation process is essential as it enables the nutrients to combine with the skin and fully impact their properties. Without the time or the exposure, there would be a lack of effectiveness and the improvement would be limited.
When your skin is dry and lacking in the proper hydration and nutrients, there is a feeling of itchiness and redness/swelling that the mask will combat. Using the mask will take care of the dryness and facilitate a healing process through moisturizing whereas without the presence of the mask, there would be a limit to the possible assistance.
In essence, you can picture the face mask as being a blanket for your face. Rather than providing warmth though, it will moisturize and empower your skin to feel fresh and clean. The skin will feel a sense of life as the toxins are removed and the pores are clear!
Types of Masks
Clay Masks
There is a type of clay known as kaolin clay, which is naturally found in the soil. Kaolin is known for its effectiveness in absorbing oil, drawing out the impurities, and removing dead skin cells. All of these effects are part of the reason why they are used to target oily and acne-prone skin, as they may contain acne-fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid.
Hydrating Masks
The purpose of these masks is in the name, as they focus on enhancing the moisturization of the skin. Empowered by natural ingredients, they are developed to soothe and nourish the face, resulting in dry skin becoming properly hydrated once again.
Firming and Anti-Aging Masks
Sometimes skin needs the ability to restart. Years of experience and exposure to the elements and stresses of life can lead to certain aging effects which are eradicated through these masks. They will tighten and lift the skin in certain key areas, which will allow the face to appear younger than before and combat the natural effects of aging.
Tissue Masks
For those who don’t like the idea of peeling or even rinsing the mask off their face, the tissue mask is a great solution. With cutouts for your eyes, nose, and mouth, these masks are stretched over your face and will rest there for ten minutes. They are especially effective in targeting the bags and swollenness of eyes associated with fatigue.
Sleeping Masks
There is a natural growth and renewal that happens every night as the body works to restore itself while we sleep. The sleeping masks look to capitalize on that process by being applied before someone goes to sleep and being removed in the morning. There is an ease to having it applied at night, due to the fact that you aren’t aware of it or are around people.
In the end, facials and face masks are powerful agents of change for your skin as they employ the impactful properties of green tea and other antioxidants in enabling your skin to become healthy and pure once again.
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