Does Green Tea Treat Acne?: Polyphenols in Green Tea may Help Prevent and Treat Acne
Does Green Tea Treat Acne? Polyphenols in Green Tea may Help Prevent and Treat Acne
Apr 2, 2010 Arathi Srikantaiah
With hundreds of documented studies backing its therapeutic properties, green tea has been recognized worldwide as a health promoting drink. Several research studies, as reported by Real Age, suggest that the polyphenols in the tea may help skin health by accelerating wound healing and breathing new life into aging skin cells. The same polyphenols may also hold potential as acne fighters, both as topical and dietary agents. In addition, research reveals that consuming the tea may regulate hormones responsible for stimulating acne, and other androgen hormone related disorders in men and women.
Topical Application of Green Tea Lotion
Green tea has made its way into several topical treatments targeted to clear acne. A research study done by the University of Miami in April 2009 and published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology reported that a topical 2% green tea lotion applied twice a day on affected areas significantly reduced mild to moderate acne lesions after a period of six weeks. The researchers concluded that topical green tea was an effective, well tolerated and cost efficient treatment for acne.
In an earlier 2003 study done in Memorial Medical Center in the Philippines and presented at the American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting, lead author Dr. Jennifer Gan-Wong reported that a 3% green tea cream was comparable to a 4% benzoyl peroxide cream in clearing acne. Green tea’s bacteria fighting and inflammation reducing properties were attributed towards its success. The study also reported that patients in the green tea group had fewer instances of dry skin, itching and allergic reactions as compared to the patients in the benzoyl peroxide group.
Green Tea Regulates Hormones
Green tea contains antioxidants called catechins that may have a beneficial effect on acne. According to a December 2001 study published in the Hong Kong Medical Journal and conducted by the Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research, green tea contains a special catechin called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (ECGG) that can modulate the production of male hormones called androgens in the body. Excessive production of androgens has been linked to many hormonal conditions such as acne, baldness, benign prostatic hyperplasia and certain prostate cancers.
Green Tea for Acne
Several studies continue to explore the role of diet in acne, and while several more are necessary for conclusive evidence, some foods such as green tea may be worth a try, given their overall role in improving health. Green tea shows potential as an acne treatment, due its antioxidant, antibacterial and hormone regulating properties. While using a green tea lotion topically and regularly drinking green tea may improve mild to moderate acne and overall health, cystic acne, with its potential to disfigure, requires immediate care from a board certified dermatologist to bring it under control.
Although green tea alone may not be enough to achieve a clear complexion, enjoying a few cups everyday offers many other benefits such as reducing cholesterol and lowering the risk of developing cancer, according to Dr. Andrew Weil, founder of the Arizona Center of Integrative Medicine.
Sources:
Official Website of Dr. Andrew Weil; Give up Green Tea During pregnancy? (accessed, March 4, 2010)
Official Website of Dr. Andrew Weil; Can Green Tea Kill Superbugs? (accessed, March 14, 2010)
Global Healing Center; Green Tea Extract Helps Acne. (accessed, March 15, 2010)
Real Age; Green Tea for Great Skin. (accessed, march 15, 2010)
Current Drug Targets; Skin photoprotection by green tea: antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects. (accessed, March 9, 2010)
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology; The efficacy of topical 2% green tea lotion in mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris. (accessed, March 5, 2010)
Hong Kong Medical Journal; The medicinal action of androgens and green tea epigallocatechin gallate. (accessed, march 6, 2010)
American Academy of Dermatology; Severe Acne. (accessed: March 5, 2010)
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