Green tea, formally known as camellia sinensis, is a fantastic way to revive tired skin. Camellia sinensis leaf extract is becoming increasingly popular in toners, cleansers, and hydrating serums. While store-bought brands may give you a dewy look, some of the ingredients like toxic parabens and retinol, as well as tongue twisters like butylene glycol and ethylhexylglycerin, are not appealing to me.
Some green tea serums contain additional ingredients like panthenol, squalane, allantoin, and peptides, which have their benefits but can be difficult to obtain outside of a lab. This green tea serum uses simple, natural ingredients for an easy skincare DIY.
Green Tea Skin Benefits
Green tea is not only beneficial when consumed, but it also has many advantages for our skin. High in antioxidants and polyphenols like EGCG, green tea helps protect against skin damage from UV rays and environmental pollution.
Furthermore, the polyphenols in green tea help replenish the vitamin C needed for collagen production in our skin. This can aid in combating fine lines, improving firmness, and enhancing skin tone. Additionally, the properties of green tea help calm inflammation, soothe irritation, and reduce skin redness.
Green tea also contains caffeine, which enhances circulation to the skin. Caffeine is often found in eye creams to reduce dark spots and undereye puffiness. It also helps reduce cellulite by breaking down fat molecules deep within the skin.
It’s important to note that using green tea topically on its own is not a guaranteed way to achieve desired results. Studies demonstrating its cellulite benefits involved high levels of caffeine. While green tea can improve skin appearance, it’s crucial to make healthy dietary choices as well.
Those with acne or oily skin may also benefit from incorporating green tea into their skincare routine. Green tea not only reduces sebum but also inflammation and redness.
Apricot Kernel Oil
In addition to green tea, apricot kernel oil is another essential ingredient in this serum. Non-greasy and deeply hydrating, apricot kernel oil is ideal for dry, irritated, or sensitive skin types. Rich in vitamin A and essential fatty acids, apricot kernel oil enhances skin elasticity. It also offers protection from oxidative damage and inflammation due to its high vitamin E content.
Apricot kernels are unique for having the highest known concentration of vitamin B-17, also called amygdalin. Research is being conducted on the potential anti-cancer properties of B17, with studies suggesting it may not only destroy cancer cells but also inhibit their growth and spread. While conclusive evidence on the anti-cancer benefits of apricot kernel is lacking, the research shows promise.
Adding Essential Oils to Green Tea Serum
Essential oils not only provide a pleasant scent but also offer various skincare benefits. There are numerous skin-safe essential oils with different advantages. While you can choose your preferred essential oils, here are the ones I used and their benefits.
Ylang Ylang
Ylang ylang stimulates cell growth and possesses anti-aging properties. It also reduces inflammation and harmful bacteria on the skin, making it beneficial for acne-prone skin. Ylang ylang works well for various skin types and offers aromatherapy benefits, promoting relaxation in stressful situations and potentially reducing blood pressure. It’s recommended to use ylang ylang in moderation to prevent skin irritation.
Sweet Orange Essential Oil
Sweet orange essential oil is not phototoxic like most citrus oils, meaning it won’t cause skin damage when exposed to sunlight. With fruity notes that balance the floral aroma of ylang ylang, sweet orange oil helps reduce blemishes and uplift the mood, reducing stress.
If you don’t have ylang ylang or sweet orange essential oil, consider alternative options such as tea tree, lavender, frankincense, rose, or geranium.
How to Make Green Tea Infused Oil
Incorporating green tea into your skincare routine can be achieved through various methods. You can create a green tea glycerite using glycerin or steep green tea in water for a quick toner that lasts a few days in the fridge.
For this serum, we’re making a green tea infused oil that blends well with other carrier oils for added benefits. Unlike water-based alternatives, this oil infusion doesn’t require a preservative or refrigeration. You can choose any carrier oil that suits your skin type, such as olive oil, avocado oil for mature skin, or sweet almond oil for most skin types.
To make a green tea infused oil through solar infusion, add green tea and oil to a jar, cover it, shake occasionally, and let it infuse for about 4 weeks. For a quicker stovetop method, gently simmer carrier oil and loose leaf green tea in a double boiler for 3 hours, then strain the tea from the oil for immediate use.
Green Tea Serum Recipe
This DIY green tea serum helps revive tired skin, suitable for all skin types, anti-aging, and reduces inflammation!
Yield: 2 ounces
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Add all of the ingredients to a 2 ounce glass dropper bottle.
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Shake well and store in a cool, dry place.
- This serum will last for about 6-12 months, depending on which carrier oil you use to infuse the green tea.
- To use: apply a small amount to clean, dry skin to moisturize.
Other DIY Skincare Recipes
If you’re interested in more DIY skincare recipes, give these a try!
How do you like to use green tea? Share your thoughts in the comments!
