Tea has been a known, cultural brew for over 5000 years originating in China. It spread far and wide due to its soothing, yet stimulating ability and its restorative properties. In those 5000 years, tea was always considered a drink of health and science has shown it’s improvement of heart health and improving metabolism. It soothes inflammation, calms an upset stomach and also contains a vibrant source of antioxidants that help repair and protect cells against future damage.

So, it should come to no surprise that it holds the same benefits for skin. Applying tea topically to your skin cools redness, irritation and inflamed skin. It also gives ongoing protection with powerful antioxidants. All tea comes from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, but changes in treatment of the tea leaves themselves – with fresher leaves producing light, green tea and oxidized tea leaves producing darker, earthier black tea. 

Green tea is rich in catechin and a soothing molecule EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate), which soothes the immune system, reduces cholesterol and protects nerves. For skin, green tea improves natural moisture, calms redness, acne and irritation – whilst improving pores and skin texture. 

This makes green tea ideal for oily, combination skin and for combating acne, irritation and redness. Looking to cool irritation? Steep green tea into a glass of filtered, warm water – wait for it to cool and use as a morning toner to help wake your skin and refresh redness. Green tea is a must to help soothe irritation and calm redness. 

Our favourite calming, green tea cleanser is the soothing Arencia Fresh Green Rice Mochi Cleanser. It is a deeply, soft gummy cleanser that can also work as a face mask, helping wick away excess oil, irritation and blackheads to start off your morning on the right foot. 

For deeper healing, you can’t go wrong with Missha’s Green Tea Calming Essence Origin, with the power of Jeju green tea extract, blended with soothing shea butter and coconut oil for soothing hydration. With background probiotics to soothe and protect skin, balanced with plumping ceramides and refreshing melon extract, this essence is ideal for damaged or sensitive skin to help bring deep calm and relief.

For a lightweight moisturizer that calms and balances, Isntree has a whole line of green tea products – but their best is their Green Tea Fresh Emulsion. Blended with soothing willow extract and centella asciatica, this lotion provides both lasting hydration and calming of redness and irritation. It’s ideal to soothe oily, irritated or acne-prone skin.

Black tea is carefully oxidized green tea leaves that are rich in polyphenols to reduce stress in the body, reducing a variety of diseases and improve gut health. With skincare, black tea products infuse these antioxidants deep into skin cells, to trigger cell repair and improve skin barrier. Rich molecules have been shown to slow and reduce signs of aging especially polyphenols that boost UV protection and lift fine lines and smooth wrinkles for a more youthful glow. 

Steeping two black tea bags, leaving them to cool and then placing them under each eye can rapidly reduce dark circles, puffiness and swelling to create a brighter and smoother look. 

The Dr Ceuracle Vegan Kombucha Tea Essence is the perfect wake-up every morning, with the richest source of fermented black tea and probiotics in a soothing kombucha essence that soothes and deeply protects the skin barrier. In a rich essence, this blend provides a boost that gets your skin glowing and stronger with each use.

The Kaine Kombu Barrier Ampoule provides a health boost to skin, with 73% Jeju fermented black tea melded with hydrating panthenol and nourishing ceramides. This ampoule leaves skin deeply hydrated, smooth and perfectly dewy every time.

Need something to restore your energy at the end of a long day? Look no further than the Heimish Black Tea Mask Pack. This decadent, fluffy mask provides the perfect soothing end to the day. With the ability to lift fine lines, deeply calm and restore skin – this blend of black tea, aloe and Gotu kola provides a deep glow in just 10 minutes.

If you are in need of a refresh, pick up a good cup of tea. If your skin is in need of a refresh – do the same! A little tea goes a long way and it has a massive store of benefits involved. If you are in need to refresh fine lines, restore a deep glow and bring back your youthful energy – tea is a perfect ingredient. 

Shop the best of tea in Korean skincare on Arktastic - from green tea, matcha and black tea. Bring back your radiant glow with curated skincare.

Is tea good for skincare? 
Tea is a high quality ingredient for skincare, with a deep source of antioxidants and healing polyphenols that are great for inflammation, injured skin and helping lift fine lines and smooth wrinkles. Both drinking tea and adding it to your skincare are great ways to help restore your youthful glow and feel better. 

Is green tea or black tea better for skin? 
Both green tea and black tea are vibrant ingredients for skincare. Green tea is deeply soothing for redness and inflammation and is a useful addition for both sensitive skin and acne-prone skin. Black tea has a deeper source of antioxidants to help lift fine lines and plump skin, making it more ideal to hydrate and refresh mature skin. 

Is tea good for acne? 
Yes! Tea, especially green tea, is a great addition to acne-prone or irritated skin. It’s antimicrobial, meaning it reduces bacterial growth, as well as calms inflammation to soothe acne spots. It also has vibrant antioxidants and brightens skin tone to help improve skin health for a lasting recovery from an acne outbreak.