How to Use Green Tea on Your Face to Achieve Prettier Skin

Co-authored by Lydia Shedlofsky, DO and Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: March 12, 2023 References Approved

You probably know that drinking green tea is good for you, but did you know it can help your skin? You can use green tea to make your own skincare products or add it to your favorite cleanser to help your complexion and fight acne. There is some evidence that the antibacterial and antioxidant properties in green tea can help soothe skin. Try a green tea toner, face mask, cleanser, or steam treatment to reveal brighter, clearer skin.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Making a Green Tea Toner

1
Heat a pot or kettle of water until it’s nearly boiling. Heat the water over high heat until you see bubbles start to rise from the bottom. Then, remove the water from the heat to use for your tea.^{[1]
X
Research source} Make enough hot water for a test batch, as Dermatologist Lydia Shedlofsky emphasizes that you should plan to test the tea "on a small area on your arms first to make sure you are not allergic before applying to a large area or the face."
- The water doesn’t need to be boiling. If it starts to boil, that’s totally okay. However, it will take your tea longer to brew and cool down.
2
Place a green tea bag in a mug. Use an 8 to 12 fl oz (240 to 350 mL) mug to brew the green tea so you have a good batch of toner. Put the bag on the bottom of the mug and drape the string over the side.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- If you prefer to use loose tea, put about 1-2 tbsp (2-4 g) of tea into a strainer, then put it into the mug.
Advertisement
3
Pour the hot water over the tea bag. Use a towel to protect your hand as you slowly pour the water into the mug. Once the mug is nearly full, set the pot on a cool stove burner or a towel. Then, gently swish your tea bag around in the cup to distribute the green tea.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Your water should immediately start to turn a muddy green color.
4
Let your tea steep for about 5-10 minutes. Drape the string on your tea bag or strainer back over the edge of your mug. Then, set a timer for 5-10 minutes and leave your tea to steep. Once the timer goes off, remove the tea bag and either discard it or save the tea leaves for another treatment.
- You can make a mask using brewed tea leaves. See the recipe below in the section about masks.
5
Wait for the green tea to cool, which takes about 30 minutes. Don’t put hot green tea on your face. Instead, set a timer for 30 minutes and leave the mug to cool. After the timer goes off, test the tea with your fingertips to make sure it’s fully cooled.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- It’s okay if the tea is a little warm.
Tip: For a quick skin pick-me-up, rub the cooled green tea bag over your clean face. Let the tea dry on your skin instead of rinsing it off. This can reduce redness, brighten your complexion, and help treat acne.^{[5]
X
Research source}
6
Add 5-10 drops of tea tree oil if you have oily skin or acne. While this is optional, it can help treat oily or acne-prone skin. Simply hold your bottle of tea tree oil over the green tea and sprinkle 5-10 drops into the brewed tea. Gently stir the mixture to combine the ingredients.
- You can find tea tree essential oil at local health food stores or online.
7
Pour the cooled tea into a clean, reusable bottle. Use a spray bottle or airtight container to hold your toner. Hold your container over the sink, then slowly pour the toner from the mug into the container. Finally, screw on the lid.^{[6]
X
Research source}

Tip: If you have a funnel, use it to transfer the toner into the bottle so you won’t spill any.
8
Use your fingers to apply the toner to your skin after cleansing. Pour a little toner into your hand, then use your fingers to rub it onto your face. Apply more toner to your skin as necessary to cover your entire face.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- If you used a spray bottle, you can simply spritz the toner onto your face.
- Use your toner once or twice a day after washing your face.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Steaming Your Face with Green Tea

1
Pour boiling water into a heatproof bowl at your table. Heat a pot of water over high heat until bubbles are rippling across the surface. Then, remove the water from the heat and pour it into a heatproof bowl. Use a towel or pot holders to place the bowl on a table in front of a chair.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Be careful with the hot water because you can burn yourself.
2
Cut open a green tea bag and pour the leaves into the boiling water. Use a pair of scissors to open the tea bag or rip it with your fingers. Then, sprinkle the tea leaves over the water. They will begin to steep immediately.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Use all of the tea leaves for best results.
Tip: If you prefer, it’s okay to just dip the tea bag into the water. This will be easier to clean up but may not work as well since the green tea won’t be spread evenly around the bowl.
3
Let the green tea steep for 1-2 minutes before you steam your face. The green tea will continue to steep as you do the steam. However, it’s best to give it about 1-2 minutes so that you can get the benefits of the green tea at the beginning of your steam. Plus, this gives your water time to cool a bit so you won’t scald your skin. Watch a clock or use a timer as you wait.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- You should see the water changing colors as the tea releases its properties into it.
4
Drape a towel over your head and lean over the bowl. Place a large bath towel over the back of your head and your shoulders. Then, lean over the bowl so that your face is directly over the steam. The towel will trap the steam around your face so that it can treat your skin.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- Make sure the towel is surrounding the bowl on all sides to fully trap the steam.
- If you get too hot, lift the towel to release some of the steam.
5
Steam your face for 5-10 minutes. Hold your face over the bowl for up to 10 minutes. Breathe in deeply and try to relax to create a spa experience. This gives the steam time to penetrate your skin and remove impurities.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- If you start feeling hot, it’s okay to stop the treatment early.
- It’s best to set a time for 5-10 minutes so that you know exactly how long you’ve been steaming your face.
6
Rinse your face with cool water to remove impurities. After your steam, go to the sink and turn on the cold water. Then, splash the cool water over your face to remove any sweat and impurities that the steam treatment drew out.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- If you like, you can wash your face with a creamy cleanser, as well. However, this isn’t necessary.
7
Pat your face dry with a soft, clean towel. Use the bath towel or a hand towel to lightly blot your face dry. Then, you can continue with your normal facial care routine.^{[14]
X
Research source}
- Repeat this treatment as often as once a week.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Mixing a Green Tea Mask

1
Combine used green tea leaves with honey for a quick mask. Brew a cup of green tea, then remove the tea bag and let it cool. Cut the tea bag open and dump the wet tea leaves into a bowl. Add about 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of honey to the tea leaves and combine them to make a paste. Apply the paste to your clean face and relax for 15 minutes before rinsing off the mask with warm water.^{[15]
X
Research source}
- Follow up with your favorite facial moisturizer.
- This mask can exfoliate your skin, reduce redness, and treat acne.
- Use this mask as often as once a week.
2
Mix a green tea, coconut oil, honey, and lemon juice mask for brightening. Add 1 tbsp (2 g) green tea leaves, 2 US tbsp (30 mL) of honey, 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of coconut oil, and 2 US tbsp (30 mL) of lemon juice to a bowl. Then, use a whisk or spoon to combine the ingredients until they’re smooth. Apply the mask to your face with your fingers, then relax for 5-10 minutes. Finally, rinse off the mask with warm water.
- Apply a moisturizer after you rinse off the mask.
- This mask can moisturize your skin and may nourish it when it’s stressed or sunburned.
- Use this mask as often as once or twice a week.
3
Make a sheet mask using green tea and rice paper. Brew a cup of green tea, then pour it into a small baking sheet. Lay your rice paper over the green tea, making sure it’s totally saturated. Leave the rice paper to soak for 1-2 minutes, then pull it out of the green tea. Place the rice paper over your face and relax for 10-15 minutes before removing the sheet. Don’t worry about rinsing your face.
- This mask fights inflammation and aging while moisturizing your skin.
- Follow the mask with your favorite facial moisturizer.
- Use this mask once or twice a week for best results.
4
Make a green tea and yogurt mask to exfoliate and nourish your skin. Steep a bag of green tea for about 5 minutes. Remove the teabag and let it cool. Then, put about 1 tbsp (2 g) of the wet tea leaves into a bowl. Add about 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of full-fat yogurt to the bowl and mix the ingredients until they’re combined. Use your fingers to apply the mask to your clean face and relax for up to 30 minutes. Finally, wet the mask with warm water, then scrub it off with your fingers.^{[16]
X
Research source}
- After you rinse your face, apply your favorite facial moisturizer.
- Use this mask once a week at the most.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Adding Green Tea to Your Cleanser

1
Empty a green tea bag into a small bowl. You don’t need to brew the tea before you use it. Just cut or tear open a bag of green tea, then pour it into your bowl.^{[17]
X
Research source} According to Dermatologist Lydia Shedlofsky, there are also some products that come with green tea already in them. She recommends that you "look for products with at least 3% green tea extract, and few added fragrances."
- You can also use loose green tea. Pour about 1-2 tbsp (2-4 g) of loose green tea into your bowl.
2
Add about 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of a cream facial cleanser to the bowl. You can use any cream facial cleanser with green tea. Use a measuring spoon to measure out the cleanser and add it to your bowl.^{[18]
X
Research source}
- It’s best to use fragrance free cleanser because the green tea will add a light scent.
3
Stir the green tea into the cleanser until they’re mixed consistently. Use a spoon or your finger to stir the tea and the cleanser to combine them. The mixture is ready when the flakes of green tea leaves look evenly dispersed in the cleanser.^{[19]
X
Research source}
4
Use your fingers to apply the cleanser to your face. Scoop the green tea onto your fingers, then apply it to your skin. Gently scrub your face by making circular motions with your fingers. Make sure you completely cover your face with an even layer of cleanser.^{[20]
X
Research source}
- This will lightly exfoliate your skin as you cleanse.
5
Let it sit on your skin for 5 minutes for extra exfoliation. While it’s optional, letting the cleanser set like a mask will help it slough off dead skin cells. The mask will soften the dead skin cells, then you’ll scrub them away while you rinse. Set a timer for 5 minutes and relax for best results.^{[21]
X
Research source}
- If you don’t have the 5 minutes to spare, it’s okay to go ahead and wash your face. However, leaving it to sit will provide more benefits.
6
Wet the cleanser with warm water and scrub it off your skin. Splash warm water over the mask to wet it, then use your fingertips to scrub it using circular motions. Thoroughly rinse your skin using warm water to remove all of the mask.^{[22]
X
Research source}
- You can use green tea in your cleanser every day if you like. However, only leave it to sit for 5 minutes once or twice a week. Otherwise, it might start to stress your skin.

What Should I Avoid When Caring For The Skin On My Face?

Expert Q&A

Question

Does green tea improve skin?

Barbie Ritzman
Beauty & Skincare Specialist
Barbie Ritzman is a Beauty Specialist, Influencer, and the Owner of Barbie’s Beauty Bits. With over 10 years of experience in the beauty industry, she specializes in skincare and aesthetics. Barbie studied marketing at Tidewater Community College and holds a Certificate from the Media Buying Academy. For her work, she’s won Beauty Influencer of the Year - The USA and was featured in “The Allure 50,” which includes the year’s 50 most influential people in the beauty industry.

Barbie Ritzman

Beauty & Skincare Specialist

Expert Answer

Yes, green tea can help make skin brighter and its anti-inflammatory properties can help to reduce skin redness or blotches and to clear acne from skin. To gain the benefits from green tea, it is recommended that you drink it regularly and apply it to your skin; read through the article above to find out how to apply it to your skin effectively.
Question

How can green tea help clear skin?

Barbie Ritzman
Beauty & Skincare Specialist
Barbie Ritzman is a Beauty Specialist, Influencer, and the Owner of Barbie’s Beauty Bits. With over 10 years of experience in the beauty industry, she specializes in skincare and aesthetics. Barbie studied marketing at Tidewater Community College and holds a Certificate from the Media Buying Academy. For her work, she’s won Beauty Influencer of the Year - The USA and was featured in “The Allure 50,” which includes the year’s 50 most influential people in the beauty industry.

Barbie Ritzman

Beauty & Skincare Specialist

Expert Answer

Green tea is rich in a polyphenol called catechins that effectively reduces skin inflammation. It also has powerful skin-soothing antibacterial agents that treat bacterial growth that causes acne. It helps kill systemic bacterial inflammation for smoother skin while minimizing sebum secretion.
Question

Does putting green tea on your face help acne?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

There are scientific studies that show a relationship between using green tea and improving your skin’s health, including acne (NIH). You can drink green tea for numerous health benefits, including reducing inflammation, which can serve as a means of reducing acne. Using green tea mixed into skin care products (commercially made or homemade) can also work to reduce acne; for homemade methods, see the suggestions outlined in the article above.

Warnings

Test each product on a small area of your arm to see if you have an allergic reaction before using it on your face or a large area of your body.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0