Matcha is most commonly known for what it can do for our cognition. One cup of a ceremonial grade matcha powder like that found in Matcha Flow will give you better focus, mental clarity, and concentration for up to 6 hours, plus other health benefits.
But did you know that matcha is also brilliant for your skin? No matter your skin type, that cup of matcha in the morning will work wonders on the outside as well as within.
Here, I outline exactly what you can expect to see in your complexion when you bring matcha into your daily ritual.
What Is Matcha?
Knowing a bit about matcha will help us understand why and how it benefits our skin. So here's a little overview.
Matcha comes under the green tea umbrella - it's made from the same plant, called Camellia sinensis; but it's harvested, produced, and consumed differently.
The University of Colorado studied this, and found that matcha contains 137 times more antioxidants than green tea.
Matcha is a concentrated version of green tea from beginning to end. While green tea is grown in the sun, matcha is grown in the shade underneath bamboo mats. This enriches the flavour, but more importantly its nutrient content and levels of chlorophyll.
Matcha is also processed differently - the hard parts of the leaves like the veins and stems are removed, so that only the young, soft, quality parts of the leaf are ground down into a powder. (This is called ceremonial grade matcha. You can get culinary matcha too, where some of the harder parts are thrown in - it tastes more bitter because of this, and is only really suitable for baking as opposed to drinking, though some lower-quality matcha powders will use it too.)
Matcha powder is then mixed with water, which means you're drinking the entire leaf contents and all its benefits (as opposed to green tea, where you only drink the infusions of the tea). In it is heaps of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that give us a catalogue of skin benefits.
Matcha Benefits for Skin - All Skin Types
Whatever your skin type, your skin will benefit from a dose of matcha every day. Here's how matcha works its complexion magic:
Fights Acne and Breakouts
Thanks to its powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, matcha is wonderful for fighting and preventing acne. This is thanks to the rich content of EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which fights bacteria that causes breakouts while also reducing inflammation.
The compounds bind with androgen receptors, which helps regulate sebum production that often encourages clogged pores and subsequent breakouts. And unlike products that use harsh chemicals, the catechins in matcha achieve this without irritating the skin.
If your skin is reactive to stress, matcha is a good solution - the L-theanine in it encourages a calmer, more balanced complexion.
Protects Against Environmental Damage
Matcha creates a powerful defence shield against environmental aggressors. The catechins in matcha, particularly EGCG, neutralise free radicals generated by exposure to UV radiation and pollution, which are the primary causes of premature skin ageing.
Matcha's chlorophyll content helps draw out environmental toxins that build up on the skin's surface, preventing them from causing long-term damage.
No, matcha is absolutely not a replacement for sunscreen, but it does provide some UV protection by reducing the skin's inflammatory response to sun exposure.
Protects and Soothes Sensitive Skin
Matcha provides a protective barrier from environmental stressors that are even worse for delicate skin.
Sensitive skin can often be the hardest to find a good product for - you're going to need something with a natural composition. Thanks to matcha's anti-inflammatory compounds and calming properties, skin conditions like rosacea, redness, and dermatitis are effectively soothed.
Fights Cellulite
It's been found that matcha can improve your metabolism, burning that unwanted fat and increasing blood flow. Matcha's detoxifying abilities are mostly thanks to its natural caffeine content, which is about half the amount you'd get in a regular cup of coffee.
Flushing out toxins with a daily matcha can reduce fluid retention, which is what contributes towards the appearance of cellulite.
Balances and Detoxifies Oily Skin
Combination and oily skin types have got to be the hardest to control, but matcha gives some sensational balancing benefits.
The tannins in matcha shrink those pores and help control the amount of sebum produced, without stripping the skin of its essential moisture. With less excess oil, you're left with a mattified appearance without dryness.
The polyphenols in matcha help break down bacterial membranes, which address systemic bacterial inflammation that often worsens oily skin conditions.
Reduces Stretch Marks
The heaps of antioxidants in matcha can also help cellular renewal, which is what we need for better skin elasticity, and therefore reduced stretch marks. The anti-inflammatory effects from matcha can also reduce the redness we get from newer stretch marks.
Matcha also stimulates collagen production, which is essential for improving skin texture and reducing the depth of stretch marks. I've mentioned improved circulation too, and this ensures better nutrient delivery to skin cells that need repair in stretch mark-affected areas.
Revitalises Dull and Ageing Skin
We've already spoken about how matcha can protect from environmental stressors such as UV damage, and this of course helps slow down the ageing of our skin. With improved elasticity, more collagen, and reproduction of new skin cells, your tired complexion becomes a healthy glow with less fine lines and wrinkles.
Reduces Hyperpigmentation and Dark Circles
Those dark circles some of us have can really ruin our appearance. But the antioxidants in matcha help prevent and reduce hyperpigmentation by protecting skin cells from oxidative stress, which is what triggers excess melanin production.
When applied topically, matcha's caffeine content improves microcirculation in the delicate under-eye area, reducing the appearance of dark circles and puffiness.
Why Matcha Flow Is Even Better For Your Skin
As we said right at the beginning of this article, the matcha found in Matcha Flow is high quality, shade grown, ceremonial grade matcha - and with 2100mg of it in each serving of Matcha Flow - you are already on to a winner.
But the skin benefits don't end there.
Matcha Flow also has an unsung hero known as 'the beauty mushroom' - it is Tremella mushroom and it is well regarded as being incredibly beneficial for skin glow and skin health. Matcha Flow contains 1000mg of Tremella mushroom in every serving.
Apply Matcha to Skin Or Drink It?
You can buy skincare products that contain matcha, or drink it as a matcha powder.
Skincare products can be really good for targeted areas, such as dark circles under the eyes, or hyperpigmentation.
Generally though, I recommend drinking matcha powder for a more complete, overall improvement in your skin. Firstly, this is because drinking matcha regularly becomes a ritual. Every morning, I start my day with a cup of matcha like Matcha Flow - and consistency is key to getting the best out of any kind of supplement.
Drinking matcha routinely means you're drinking the matcha leaf entirely. You get a potent dose of all those antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, which get to work on other aspects of your wellbeing, such as reducing stress and creating a calm, focused state of mind. And there's a lot to be said about these benefits, and the connection an improved overall mood will have directly with your skin.
You get whole-body benefits with matcha. The best supplements work from within. Drink matcha routinely and, rather than targeting what you think are your problem areas on your face, you'll see an overall improvement that'll last longer.
Summary
As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, I started drinking matcha every day for its incredible benefits to my mental energy. It gives us mental clarity and a calm, stable energy that allows us to work smarter for longer, as well as other health benefits, such as reduced anxiety and a better sleep routine.
What I wasn't expecting was a clearer complexion - but this is exactly what I got. Yes, you can buy skincare products that contain matcha; but I guess it's a little like washing your face with water rather than drinking it. If you only wash your face with water, it'll perhaps have a few benefits; but if you drink plenty of water consistently, you'll notice a clearer, more hydrated complexion.
The same concept applies with drinking matcha. One cup of Matcha Flow a day was all I needed. No cups and cups of coffee to keep me going. Just one matcha, then water for the rest of the day. I felt better, and I looked better.
With all those antioxidants, chlorophyll, and anti-inflammatories working from within, you'll soon see for yourself how, no matter your skin type, matcha really is wonderful for your skin, and much more.
Sources:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14518774/
