Natural Acne Remedies - Green Tea
Green tea has been used as a natural acne home remedy for many years. Green tea is well known for its health benefits and has been used in China for many thousands of years to treat a variety of conditions. It is rich in a compound called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which is a powerful antioxidant. Scientific studies have shown that it can inhibit cancer cells and it has also proved to be effective in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, infections and in lowering cholesterol levels.
Studies have shown that the EGCG as well as being an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent and can help to reduce inflammation on the skin that occurs with acne. In one trial the American Academy of dermatology used a 1% concentration of EGCG in a cream which when applied to the skin improved the acne at least as well as, and sometimes better than, a topical solution benzoyl peroxide. In addition the cream did not cause dryness of the skin which is a common side effect of using benzoyl peroxide or other harsh chemicals.
Lotions and creams can be purchased containing green tea or you can make your own at home. Take some green tea, add to some water and boil, then apply the cooled solution to your skin. In addition you can drink green tea which will allow the nutrients to work from inside. Drink at least 2 cups of green tea every day and apply a solution containing green tea extracts to the skin up to three times a day. After a few weeks you should notice an improvement in the condition of your acne and you will have a much healthier looking skin.
If you are buying a drink containing green tea look carefully at the ingredients as many of them contain a lot of sugar.
There are many uses of green tea for dieting and health and treatment of acne is just one of them. As with all natural remedies for acne you should combine this treatment with a healthier lifestyle including drinking plenty of water every day and making sure you have a healthy diet. Do not give a if you do not see results immediately as with all natural remedies for acne it will take some time to see results.