I’m a tea lover and blogger! But years ago I used to own and manage an organic spa in downtown Toronto. That’s why I feel somewhat qualified to write about the subject of green tea cleansing mask and skincare.
When clients are paying over a hundred dollars for a deep-cleansing facial they expect to walk out of there with super-duper clean pores. So yes, in my eleven years as a spa owner I learned a trick or two about getting gunk out of people’s pores.
Since my spa was organic we didn’t use any chemical key ingredients to help dissolve away stubborn sebum. My aestheticians had to get really creative which is how we discovered the green tea detox method for removing blackheads and impurities.
So you see, green tea isn’t just for sipping anymore. If you’re looking for a more natural way to achieve sparkling clean pores, below you’ll find three useful tips for how to use your green tea cleansing mask like a pro for even more amazing results.
How Green Tea Extract Benefits Your Skin?
Before we get into the nitty gritty of deep-cleansing your pores, I thought it would be worthwhile mentioning all the ways green tea benefits your skin.
For topical application I find that green tea extract, in particular, is much more effective. Our skin can only absorb so much and green tea extract is super concentrated and packed with antioxidants, primarily catechins like EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate), which help to protect your skin from free radical damage.
You can take green tea extract internally, of course, but topically it works just as well. Antioxidants not only combat the signs of aging but they also have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Here are some key benefits of green tea for your skin overall:
AOR Active Green Tea
Active Green Tea is a high-potency standardized extract of green tea, providing polyphenols including epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), believed to be one of the key phytonutrient in green tea, responsible for its skin health benefits
Reduces Inflammation:
If you have sensitive skin, the anti-inflammatory properties of polyphenol in green tea help to soothe irritated skin, reduce redness, and diminish puffiness.
Excellent Acne Face Mask:
For oily, acne-prone or combination skin, green tea has antibacterial properties that can help clear pores and reduce acne-causing bacteria on the skin.
Antioxidant Powerhouse:
The antioxidants in green tea fight against free radicals, helping to prevent and repair skin damage, which leads to a more youthful appearance.
Balances Oil Production:
Whether it’s a DIY or store-bought oil control face mask, green tea can help regulate oil production, making it beneficial for both dry and oily skin types.
Improves Skin Tone:
Regular use of green tea on your face can have a skin brightening effect while improving skin texture and tone.
Does Green Tea Really Remove Blackheads? Yes, If You Do These 3 Things:
When done right, a green tea detox mask can remove blackheads. But there are some steps you need to follow in order to make the process more efficient. Here are three ‘professional’ tips for getting spa quality deep pore cleansing results at home.
Pro Tip #1: Prep the Pores with Steam
I would say this is the most important step in your face detox process. There’s no use applying a deep-cleansing green tea mask if your blackheads are old and crusty. Trust me. It will be almost impossible for even the most powerful green tea clay mask to pry the debris for your pores.
So that’s why steaming is so important. It softens the sebum, allowing your facial mask to work better. The old towel-over-your-head face steaming trick works great. Alternately, taking a 10-15 minute shower accomplishes basically the same thing.
Pro Tip #2: Give Yourself a Good Face Scrub
Exfoliation makes a great product work that much better. That’s because you’re removing all the dead skin cells, allowing the active ingredients to penetrate to where they need to go. It also makes your skin silky smooth. So definitely don’t skip this step.
When choosing a scrub, look for a formulation that contains smooth, round granules. I personally prefer eco-friendly scrubs that dissolve and don’t end up as micro-plastics in the ocean.
Beauty By Earth, Superfruits & Calendula Microdermabrasion Face Scrub Exfoliant, Cleanser & Skin Polish, 4 fl oz (120 ml)
Made with biodegradable bamboo powder and volcanic ash. Exfoliates gently while deep-cleansing pores. Superfruit extracts keep your skin looking healthy and vibrant.
Pro Tip #3: Apply Green Tea Mask While Your Face is Still Damp
This is where the magic happens. While your pores are still damp and sebum is soft, slather on your green tea extract mask, ideally one that contains green clay or kaolin clay.
As the clay mask envelops your pores and starts to dry, it will hoist the sebum and blackheads out of your skin. You can literally feel the purifying effect in action. Once the mask is dry wash it off right away. Don’t wait until it starts to crack, gets itchy or uncomfortable. Rinse your face extremely well as the green tea clay mixture residue can get trapped in the pores.
What Do You Need to Make a Green Tea Face Mask?
Ready to get started? If you prefer a DIY approach, making a green tea face mask at home is simple and cost-effective. Keep in mind, however, that if you want to get the maximum benefit from your mask, I recommend working with the highest quality food-grade ingredients. Here’s what you will need:
- 2 capsules food-grade green tea extract
- 1/2 teaspoon kaolin or green clay
- 1/4 teaspoon combined Vitamins C and E (for added brightening effect)
- 1-2 teaspoons brewed organic green tea infusion
The Tao of Tea, Organic Green Tea, Sencha, 3.5 oz (100 g)
Drink it or make it into a face mask. Deep jade green color brew with a rich, sweet taste, oceanic aroma, with buttery texture. Green tea is known to contain high amounts of anti-oxidants.
Pure Body Naturals, 100% Pure & Natural Kaolin Clay, 3.5 oz (100 g)
Kaolin Clay is nature’s gentle skin cleanser. It can be mixed with water and green tea to create a deep-cleansing mask that is free of chemicals. Kaolin is the perfect ingredient for DIY skincare.
Instructions:
- Brew the Green Tea: Steep green tea in hot water for 2-3 minutes. Allow it to cool.
- Mix Ingredients: In a bowl, combine the cooled green tea, green tea extract, clay and vitamins. Add the liquid tea infusion slowly until you achieve a thick green tea mud mask consistency.
- Apply the Mask: Using clean fingers or a brush, apply the mask to your face, avoiding the eye area.
- Relax: Leave the mask on for about 15-20 minutes or until it’s fully dry.
- Rinse Off: Gently rinse the mask off with lukewarm water. Pat skin dry with a clean towel and apply a light serum or moisturizing cream.
What to Look for in a Store-Bought Green Tea Mask?
If you prefer to buy a ready made purifying green tea mask, you have many options to choose from. There are overnight masks and ones that you wash off. I recommend products that are both effective and gentle on your skin. Here are some factors to consider:
Formulation:
Look for green tea skin care with high-quality, natural ingredients. Choose a mask that suits your skin type. For oily skin, a clay-based mask can help absorb excess oil.
SOME BY MI, Super Matcha Pore Clean Clay Beauty Mask, 3.52 oz (100 g)
Green tea cleansing mask made with fine Matcha tea. It absorbs sebum and deep-cleanses the pores from impurities and blackheads.
Complementary compounds such as salicylic acid are excellent for acne-prone skin. For dry skin, look for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid. Avoid products that contain toxic chemicals or synthetic fragrances. Always try the mask on a patch of skin first to make sure you don’t have a reaction.
Reviews:
Check customer reviews, feedback and ratings to gauge the effectiveness and safety of the product. Reviews by people with similar skin concerns to yours can be helpful in deciding if a particular detox face mask or spot treatment is right for you.
Price:
While it’s not always true that more expensive means better, very inexpensive products might cut corners on ingredient quality. If the regular price of your desired product is too expensive, some online companies will notify you when it goes on sale.
