Can green tea help the treatment of acne?
Acne is not a serious health problem in most cases, at least from an organic point of view. From the psychological point of view, on the other hand, it usually causes significant damage, since It can affect appearance and self-esteem. Can green tea help the treatment of acne?
The usual is that acne responds well to home treatments, including green tea. Only rarely does it become resistant and in these cases specialized intervention by a dermatologist is necessary. This problem affects mainly adolescents, but it can appear at any age.
Acne has a higher incidence in women, but its manifestations in men are more severe. 5% of women continue to suffer until they are 40 years old. In general, it is considered that there is a serious concomitant problem if acne suddenly appears in an older adult.
Let's know acne
Acne is one of the most common skin diseases. It originates when the pores become clogged with sebum remnants and dead cells.
Acne is a skin disorder that affects the hair follicles and the sebaceous glands. The skin has small holes called pores. These are connected internally with the sebaceous glands, through a conduit called follicle.
The sebaceous glands produce a fatty substance called sebum. Sebum transports dead skin cells to the surface, through the follicles. Hair also grows through such follicles. Sometimes the dead cells, sebum and hair come together and plug the pore.
The confluence of dead cells, sebum and hair causes the bacteria to clump together at one point. This causes swelling. The moment the plug begins to clog, a pimple or pimple forms. Acne appears on the face, neck, chest, back and shoulders.
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Factors that affect acne
There are some factors that predispose to acne, among which are the age, family history, hormonal changes, skin contact with greasy substances, pressure or continued friction in the skin (such as that exerted by cell phones against the face) and stress.
In turn, there are several factors that can make acne worse. These are:
- The ingestion of certain medications. Basically those that contain corticosteroids, lithium or testosterone.
- The diet. According to studies, the foods that most affect acne are carbohydrates, chocolate and skim milk. Foods with high fat content do not have a higher incidence.
- Hormones. The hormonal changes of puberty, as well as the menstrual period, pregnancy and the use of oral contraceptives increase the production of sebum.
- Stress. Although anguish alone does not cause acne, it can make it worse.
There is a myth that acne arises from lack of hygiene. This is false. Even washing the skin with excessive force or with very strong soaps can worsen the problem. The use of cosmetics, by itself, neither generates or increases acne.
Acne treatment with green tea
Green tea is a natural ingredient that can fight acne. Both its consumption and its topical application help regulate the production of sebum.
Green tea is a natural astringent that offers interesting results in the treatment of acne. It is also an antioxidant ingredient that helps to eliminate excesses in oily skin.
Drinking green tea helps fight acne, since It helps to reduce the production of sebum in the skin. In passing, it also moderates insulin and blood sugar levels. As always, it is not good to exaggerate. Drinking a green tea a day is enough.
Also, green tea can be used as a topical solution. Just apply a compress of green tea extract on the affected area. This helps eliminate bacteria in the area, reduces inflammation and prevents the appearance of spots.
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Other ways to use green tea against acne
There are other ways a little more elaborate to use green tea. Not only do they help you treat acne, but they also improve the overall appearance of your skin. They provide freshness, firmness and prevent aging. Some of the most effective masks are the following:
- Green tea and honey. One spoonful of each element is mixed and a paste is formed. Then it is applied to the face and left to act for 15 or 20 minutes. Rinse with cold water and repeat twice a week.
- Green tea and aloe. You need two bags of green tea, one tablespoon of aloe and one cup of water. An infusion is made with the two tea bags and left to cool. Then mix it with the other ingredients and put it in an atomizer. Spray the face after the bath.
Have you tried any remedy with green tea against acne? As you can see, both its consumption and its application can be beneficial to treat this skin problem. Start using it and check its effects.