If we asked you to tell us two things about matcha, what would they be? That it can help with focus? That it gives you a subtle energy boost without the jitters of caffeine? That it’s bursting with age-defying antioxidants? When we think about green tea matcha, we often associate it with its benefits just as much as its bright and earthy flavour.
This ingredient is packed with so much goodness that it should be a surprise to absolutely no one that it also works wonders on your skin. If you’ve shopped for any beauty product in the past few years, you’ve likely seen matcha included in everything from toners and cleansers to lip balms and hair masks. But you don’t have to buy a specialty product to benefit from that green tea goodness. The matcha you whisk up for your morning latte also makes a mean face mask. Yes, really.
If you think drinking matcha is pretty good for you, slathering it on your face/hair/body is even better. Matcha’s rich, deep green colour comes from the chlorophyll in the leaves. Quick science class reminder: chlorophyll is what allows trees to absorb and store sunlight. When used on your skin, it can help to protect it from sun damage and photoaging, which means fewer wrinkles and sunspots as we age.
Chlorophyll also helps to shield your skin from pore-clogging impurities and chemicals found in the air. An especially important barrier if you live or work in a city.
Those antioxidants that give your body the buzz of rejuvenation? Your face likes them, too. They can help your skin in a whole bunch of ways by promoting the renewal of skin cells and making your face feel smoother and softer in the process. Matcha powder is also full of vitamin K, which helps with circulation and works to reduce puffiness, skin inflammation and can help to diminish the appearance of dark under-eye circles. And that’s just for normal skin types.
If you’re prone to breakouts or adult acne matcha can also help to repair your skin. Epigallocatechin gallate, aka EGCG is a plant compound found in the green powder that has anti-bacterial properties that can fight the bacteria common in acne-prone skin.
As anyone with sensitive skin will tell you, green in skincare is synonymous with soothing, and matcha has natural anti-inflammatory properties that can help with just that. For those who suffer from redness, rosacea or have sensitive skin – a matcha face mask at the end of a particularly stressful day can help to cool things down and leave your skin (and you) feeling chilled out.
But don’t just take our word for it – make your very own matcha face mask and tell us what you think.
Matcha Mask
Print recipeIngredients
- ½ Perfect Spoon of Matcha (Traditional & unflavoured)
- 1 tbsp fine oats
- 1 tsp honey
- 2 tbsp warm water
Directions
| Step 1 | |
| Set up a clean workstation in your kitchen or bathroom. Make sure your utensils and bowl are good and clean. | |
| Step 2 | |
| Add the oats, warm water, honey and matcha to the bowl and mix until you get a nice paste. Add more water if needed. | |
| Step 3 | |
| Apply the paste to your face and neck, rubbing it in to get a bit of exfoliation, and let sit for 15 mins. | |
| Step 4 | |
| Wash your face with warm water, pat your skin dry and apply moisturizer. | |
