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While you may know matcha to simply be that mug of green goodness you drinkΒ for an energy boost – it’s actually got a lotΒ of health and beauty benefits as well.

Firstly, it helps to understand what makes matcha such a special product. Matcha is made fromΒ a type of green tea leaf called Tencha. Unlike regular green tea (namely Sencha) where the leaves have a lot of direct sunlight and are rolled and steamed straight after harvest – Tencha leavesΒ areΒ placed in both shadedΒ as well as sunny areas throughout their grown and then dried and ground to make matcha powder. By exposing the leaves to both sun and shade, they are able to develop more antioxidants and natural caffeine than any green tea leaves grown in pure sunlight. So basically, matcha is the star of the green tea show.

How does matcha benefit your skin?

acne | Longevity LIVEIt may be time to use a little matcha in your cupboard to make a DIY face mask, here’s why:

1. ReducesΒ inflammationΒ 

It’s becoming more and more understood that our environment andΒ the food we eat affects our body’s inflammatory response. Chronic inflammation has been linked numerous lifestyle diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and arthritis – all of which can affect your skin health as well. Not to mention there are also many skin conditions, such asΒ acne, rosacea and psoriasis, that trigger an inflammatory-skin response as well.

Matcha is packed with catechins, particularly EGCG, a type of flavanoid that is brimming with the antioxidants your skin needs to alleviate the inflammation and in doing so, minimisingΒ any redness and puffinessΒ  you may have. (1)Β 

2. Boosts complexion and prevent premature agingΒ 

EGCG doesn’t only help with skin inflammation, but it also helps with slowing down cellular degeneration – meaning your skin can remainΒ smoother and tighter for longer, and fine lines and wrinkles can be easily prevented.Β Given the sheer amount of antioxidants in catechins such as EGCG, matcha also has the potential to deactivate free radicals in your skin which contribute to premature aging, and put you at risk of skin conditions and diseases such as skin cancer.Β By giving your skin this nutrient-filled boost, it’ll definitely help you achieve a fresher, healthier and more youthful looking skin. (2)Β 

3. Treats oily skinΒ 

If you have oily or acne-prone skin – you are going to love this!Β Firstly, matcha is packed filled with chlorophyll (the green pigment found in all green plants) which works wonders for detoxing your skin as it protects it against any external harms such as chemicals orΒ pollution that would potentially clog your pores and leave your skinΒ prone to blemishes and discoloration. (3) Matcha also contains tannins, a compound thatΒ is:

  • Packed with antimicrobial properties – meaning it can fight off harmful bacterial infections. (4)Β 
  • A naturalΒ astringent – meaning is can tighten and clean your pores without drying them out. (5)Β 
  • An antioxidant – meaning it can fight against free-radical damage. (6)Β 

matcha | Longevity LIVE4. Works gently on all skin typesΒ 

This is about as natural and unrefined as you can get when it comes to ingredients, making it all that more gentle on your skin when you use it.

Make your own DIY matcha mask

There are many ways you can use this ingredient to make a nutrient-packed face mask, but this recipe is one of my favourites as it combines the incredible benefits of matcha with honey and essential oils. To make the mask, you will need:

  1. 1 teaspoon of matcha powder
  2. 1 teaspoon of raw natural honey
  3. 2-3 drops of rosehip oil

Mix all these ingredients together in a little bowl and apply onto clean, dry skin for 15 – 20 minutes. At this point, you can wet a cloth with warm water and gently remove the mask. Rinse your face with warm water and apply your moisturiser afterwards as normal.

Marina Wildt

Marina Wildt

Marina Wildt is the Beauty & Fitness Editor at Longevity Magazine. She has a keen focus on the science behind beauty and aspires to always bring the latest innovations in these fields to the public and put forward reliable and trustworthy advice. In her spare time she likes to cook, do yoga and travel wherever she can.

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