Matcha is commonplace today, but did you know it originates all the way back to the 7th century? While it’s a delicious and wonderfully nutritious drink, it also has some impressive benefits when applied topically on the skin. From increasing skin elasticity to reducing acne, here is everything you need to know about matcha in skincare products.
Matcha’s Origins
Matcha is a special type of finely powdered green tea that is prized for its bright green hue, distinct cultivation, ceremonial preparation process, and transformative health benefits. Matcha dates back to the Tang Dynasty in China, but is mostly produced in Japan today. According to Britannica, matcha was introduced to Japan in the 1100s by a Zen Buddhist monk who, returning from study in China, brought tea seeds with him and established what we now recognize as a tea ceremony, designed to honor the beauty of nature.
Matcha’s Health Benefits
You may have heard that green tea is healthy, but you’ll be shocked to learn about matcha’s other numerous benefits. Matcha tea plants are cultivated unlike any other tea. The leaves are shaded from excessive sunlight using bamboo mats or parasols, which produce tea that is higher in antioxidants, chlorophyll, caffeine, and a distinctive amino acid called L-theanine. Altogether, matcha is proven to boost metabolic health, improve mental alertness, fight free radicals thanks to the potent antioxidants, and improve numerous cognitive functions.
Matcha’s Shocking Skincare Benefits
While it might seem like just a good-for-you cup of tea, matcha has some pretty impressive results when applied to the skin. In one double-blind study, green tea used topically and drank orally showed historical improvements in participants’ skin elasticity. Another study published in 2010 linked the topical application and the oral consumption of green tea with a reduced risk of melanoma skin cancer (in mice, more research needs to be done with humans to confirm this, but it’s promising). The study believes this is due to the “rapid repair of DNA” from green tea’s polyphenols.
Is matcha good for acne? Shockingly yes! Impressively, research on this topic has proven a direct connection between green tea and a significant reduction in acne. Thanks to the tea’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, it was proven in five randomized-controlled studies that green tea extract “significantly reduced” the amount of breakouts when applied topically. Whereas oral consumption showed just minimal effects. The research concluded that green tea is beneficial for the treatment of acne without causing significant adverse reactions.
Best Green Tea Skincare
Whether you’re looking to boost your skin’s appearance or reduce blemishes, matcha has got you covered. Here are a few of our favorite green tea-boosted products.
The Matcha Cleanse
The Matcha Cleanse is Tatcha’s first-ever matcha-boosted skincare product and we couldn’t be more excited to introduce you to the groundbreaking formula. The cleanser is crafted with premium kyo-matcha sourced directly from the Uji region, which is renowned for its extraordinary matcha production. Previously to get the benefits of matcha, you would have to handcraft your own product from powdered green tea—but The Matcha Cleanse now makes receiving green tea’s benefits easier than ever. The daily clarifying gel cleanser purifies and decongests pores without stripping skin, while also rebalancing skin’s natural oil production. The refreshing watery-foam texture smooths the skin and addresses texture for better makeup wear.
In addition to matcha, the formula also includes three exciting and timeless ingredients: coix seed, willow bark, and Japanese mugwort. Coix seeds have been used in herbal medicines for centuries to help detox pores, willow bark is a natural BHA alternative that helps smooth and balance, and mugwort is treasured for its natural skin barrier support benefits. With daily usage, The Matcha Cleanse can help wash away buildup for pure pores, balanced oil, and softer skin.
The Essence
This watery essence is made with green tea, which, as we know, is regarded as one of the most powerful antioxidants, helping to target free radicals. The Essence is composed entirely of Tatcha’s proprietary Hadasei-3, a trio of fermented Japanese superfoods (rice, seaweed, and green tea). This potent formula resurfaces, deeply hydrates, and primes skin to make the rest of your skincare more effective. In consumer studies, panelists demonstrated a +621 percent improvement in skin moisturization immediately* and a 100 percent noticeable improvement in skin radiance after just one week**.
*Based on an instrumentation study conducted on 30 panelists in 2022.
**Based on an expert grading study on 30 panelists in October 2021.
No matter if you drink it or apply it to your skin, consider adopting matcha into your daily skincare routine. The matcha acne connection is just too impressive to dismiss, as are its numerous health benefits.