It’s time for tea – in your hair and beauty line-up
Not only is it the nation’s favourite beverage, but it’s a powerful beauty ally, too, as these tea-infused skincare and cosmetic musts reveal.
As one of the world’s most popular drinks, tea has offered regular respite to workers for years and is a staple in UK kitchens. However, it’s not just for drinking. That’s right – those little green, black and white leaves are full of beneficial compounds that have both health and beauty benefits.
Take catechins, a type of polyphenol for instance. They’re found in green, white and black tea, and work to reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, feed good bacteria in the gut ,and improve mental clarity.
When used in beauty these same compounds are potent antioxidants, providing protection against free radicals from pollution and the sun. They also help keep the skin barrier healthy, reduce puffiness and help guard against fine lines and wrinkles. Read on to discover more about beau-tea and our current favourite products for skin, hair and body.
Green People Scent Free Sun Cream SPF30, £23
Sunscreen is one of those products we know we should use every day, but how many of us do? With the onset of sunnier days, now’s a good time to start – and this cream is a nourishing way to do so. It’s full of organic ingredients, including green tea (which is anti-ageing and protects against skin damage from UV rays), aloe vera (soothing), antioxidant edelweiss and moisturising cocoa butter. What’s more, it doesn’t leave a white cast and it’s reef-safe.
Q&A Caffeine Eye Serum, £6.95
Fade dark circles with this toning eye serum. It contains green tea extract (which has a powerful antioxidant effect, reducing lines and puffiness under the eyes) and caffeine (to help get rid of fluid retention and lighten dark circles). There’s also antioxidant pomegranate extract for good measure. Simply apply a little under your eyes every morning – it’s not sticky and sinks in quickly – then you’re good to go!
Weleda Slow Aging Astaxanthin Face Serum Drops, £12.95
Add these drops to your regular moisturiser or use them alone as an extra defence against pollution and free radicals. They contain white tea extract, which contains even more polyphenols than green tea as it’s less processed, giving you the same beneficial effects but more so. White tea is anti-inflammatory, reduces redness and soothes the skin. It’s also anti-ageing, helping prevent collagen and elastin loss, so reducing the look of fine lines.
Spa Ceylon White Jasmine Day Hydrating Serum, £35
Green tea is just one of the nourishing ingredients in this serum, which also contains jasmine oil to tone and brighten, witch hazel for freshness and aloe vera for its soothing and cooling properties. The tea not only works to reduce inflammation and protect against environmental damage, but along with liquorice, bearberry and watercress it helps prevent hyperpigmentation and reduces the appearance of dark spots. Apply after cleansing and before moisturising.
Nanogen Shampoo Luxe, £10.95
The green tea in this shampoo works its antioxidant wonder on your head and hair. This is one of the few shampoos that doesn’t irritate my itchy scalp (yet another menopause symptom I wasn’t prepared for) and I do wonder if that’s thanks to the tea. It also leaves my hair feeling soft and lightweight almost, without looking thin. Other ingredients include keratin to strengthen hair and beta glucan, which hydrates and soothes.
Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Scalp Mask, £22
Whether you have the occasional dry patch or you’re plagued by a sensitive scalp, this mask can take away the itch. It contains green tea, which not only protects against environmental damage, thanks to its potent antioxidants, but it also soothes and reduces inflammation, while salicylic acid exfoliates away dead skin cells. Use once a week and apply to damp scalp before shampooing. You’ll need to use a full tube each time.
By Terry Tea to Tan Lip & Cheek, £26
The latest launch by luxury beauty brand By Terry brings tea to your daily make-up! It’s Tea to Tan Lip & Cheek combines colour with skincare benefits in a light, tinted serum. Ingredients include black tea for its powerful antioxidant properties, red tea to smooth and refresh, and bio-active cherry blossom extract for anti-ageing. The result is buildable colour that hydrates your skin at the same time for up to 24 hours.
Miller Harris Tea Tonique, £95
Tea has a refreshing, somewhat sharp aroma that brings a unique quality to this fragrance. Coupled with the citrussy perfume of bergamot and the smoky smell of birch tar, the effect is a heady brew that’s uplifting and fresh. And it lasts. Top notes of bergamot, petitgrain and lemon give way to heart notes of Earl Grey, green tea, mate and nutmeg on a base of musk and birch tar. Gorgeous.
The Body Shop White Tea & Elderflower Body Butter, £19
The freshness of white tea is put to good use in this body butter and combines well with the floral sweetness of elderflower. It’s the kind of uplifting fragrance that’s perfect for spring and early summer, bringing scents of cucumber and citrus to join the party then melting into a base of musk and cedarwood. The combination of shea and cocoa butters makes for a rich, moisturising cream that soothes dryness and is a treat to use.
