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Green Tea for Beautiful Skin

By Carol Belanger
Green tea provides the antioxidants needed for great skin care and healthy living.  The antioxidant
activity of green tea is about 25-100 times more potent than vitamin C and E.  No wonder green tea is
used in so many cosmetics today.

Green tea offers so many benefits to the skin and to the body.  It contains antioxidants, vitamins,
minerals, and anti-bacterial properties.  It is not a mystery green tea is so popular in the cosmetic
industry.  Loaded with Vitamin E and C, the antioxidant agents slow the signs of aging externally and
provide beneficial vitamins for oveall health when taken internally.

Furthermore, recent research has concluded that green tea can prevent cancer.  The death rate in
Japan from cancer is significantly lower than that in the States.  In Japan, green tea is part of their daily
staple and consumed as much as 5 to 6 cups a day.  This suggests that the main ingredients in green
tea (*tannin, **catechin-see definition below) in sufficient amounts can lower the mortality rates of
cancer patients.

Additionally, green tea can lower high blood pressure and lower blood sugar levels for those suffering
with diabetes or the onset thereof.  Caffeinated tea refreshes the body when taken internally; it
stimulates the body’s organs and clears the mind.  Green tea can lower cholesterol by restricting the
excessive buildup of (LDL) cholesterol. Research has also suggested that green tea can inhibit skin
cancer due to its protective properties.

Overall, green tea drinkers seem to enjoy better health.  The vital ingredient Catechin is 100 times
more potent than Vitamin C and 25 times more potent than Vitamin E.

Green Tea Facial Toner

5 green tea bags or several heaping teaspoons of green tea leaves
1/3 to ½ cup fresh herb, chopped (see list below for your specific skin type)
2 cups mineral water or vitamin water

Combine all ingredients in a small pot.  Bring to boil and simmer for 10 minutes.  Remove from heat
and cool.  Strain if necessary.  Apply with cotton ball.  The toner will keep for at least one week in the
refrigerator.

Dry skin: Elderflower, linden flowers, and marigold.
Normal skin: chamomile – especially good for antiseptic values, fennel, lemon balm, parsley, and
rosemary.
Oily Skin: Chamomile-especially good for antiseptic values, fennel, lemon balm, parsley, rosemary,
and peppermint and sage-especially good for antiseptic values.

*Definition of catechin:  The antioxidant activity about 25-100 times more potent than vitamins C and E.  
One cup of green tea may provide 10-40mg of polyphenols and can have an antioxidant activity greater
than a serving of broccoli, spinach, carrots, or strawberries.  A catechin is effective because it sticks to
proteins easily and blocks bacteria from adhering to cell walls.  This disrupts their ability to destroy
them.  The catechin in green tea also prevents viruses from adhering to cell walls and causing harm.

Carol Belanger is the  author of 300+ Skin Care Recipes. Visit Complete Skin Care Therapy
Pamela Hill Skin Care
Daily Moisturizer with
Green Tea

Designed to improve
the texture and the
tone of the skin which
in turn will minimize
the appearance of
fine lines and
wrinkles. 2 oz
The Skin Care Answer Book
provides concise, quick
answers to the most-asked
consumer skin care
questions and will help
educate licensed
estheticians and clients alike
about their individual skin
types. It is written in easy
language and is set up in a Q
& A format, organized in
chapters by subject so that it
is easy to navigate.
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