A woman wearing a green facial mask and a fluffy bathrobe, relaxing with a cup of tea and a book by the window, creating a self-care and skincare routine atmosphere.

What Tea Is Good for Skin? Discover the Best Teas for Skin Health

Q: Can I apply tea directly to my skin?

Yes! You can use cooled tea bags, facial mists, or tea-infused skincare products to enhance your skincare routine.

Written by: Camille Liu

February 12, 2025

Time to read 5 min

Instruction

Tea is more than just a comforting drink; it’s a natural beauty booster packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and anti-inflammatory compounds that nourish the skin from the inside out. If you’re wondering what tea is good for skin, this guide will introduce you to the best teas for skin, including the benefits of drinking tea for skin and how it can enhance your complexion.

Among the many teas known for their beauty benefits, oolong tea stands out for its ability to promote healthy, youthful, and glowing skin. Let’s dive into how tea and skin are connected and explore the top teas for skin health.

1. How Tea Benefits Skin Health

Drinking tea regularly can significantly improve skin appearance by:

Fighting Free Radicals – Antioxidants in tea help protect against premature aging and environmental damage.
Reducing Inflammation – Tea contains polyphenols that soothe redness, irritation, and acne.
Enhancing Hydration – Tea keeps the skin moisturized and reduces dryness.
Detoxifying the Body – Many teas support liver function, helping to clear toxins from the skin.
Promoting Collagen Production – Some teas help maintain skin elasticity, reducing wrinkles and sagging.

Now, let’s explore the best teas for skin health and how they work.

A splash of golden tea in a clear glass cup with a slice of fresh lemon on the rim, creating a refreshing and dynamic visual of citrus-infused tea.

Oolong Tea – The Ultimate Tea for Healthy, Youthful Skin

Oolong tea, a semi-oxidized tea between green and black tea, is one of the best teas for skin due to its unique combination of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It is particularly effective in improving skin texture, reducing acne, and fighting signs of aging.

Tea Benefits for Skin:

✅ Reduces Skin Aging – Oolong tea is rich in polyphenols, which help fight free radicals, reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

✅ Balances Oil Production – Helps control sebum levels, making it an excellent tea for acne-prone skin.

✅ Boosts Skin Elasticity – The antioxidants in oolong tea help maintain firm and youthful skin.

✅ Supports Detoxification – Oolong tea improves digestion and liver function, which helps clear toxins that contribute to breakouts.

A warm cup of tea in a white ceramic cup and saucer, sitting on a rustic wooden table, illuminated by a soft ray of sunlight, creating a peaceful and cozy atmosphere.

How to Use Oolong Tea for Skin Health:

Drink 2-3 cups daily to enjoy its full benefits.
Apply cooled oolong tea to the skin as a toner to refresh and soothe irritation.
Combine with honey and lemon for an added skin-boosting effect.

Green Tea – The Best Tea for Acne and Anti-Aging

If you're looking for tea for healthy skin, green tea is a powerhouse. Its high concentration of EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) helps fight acne, inflammation, and signs of aging.

Tea Benefits for Skin:

✅ Fights Acne – Reduces excess oil production and bacterial growth.

✅ Protects Against Sun Damage – Helps repair UV-induced skin damage.

✅ Brightens Skin Tone – Gives skin a glowing, even complexion.

✅ Boosts Collagen Production – Keeps skin firm and youthful.

A vibrant green ceramic teacup filled with freshly brewed green tea, placed on a matching saucer atop a natural stone surface, surrounded by lush green leaves, creating a refreshing and tranquil tea moment.

How to Use Green Tea for Skin Health:

Drink 2-3 cups daily to regulate oil production.
Use green tea as a facial mist to reduce puffiness and redness.
Apply green tea-infused skincare products for extra benefits.

White Tea – The Best Tea for Anti-Aging and Radiant Skin

White tea is the least processed tea, meaning it retains a high level of antioxidants that help protect skin from aging and environmental damage.

Tea Benefits for Skin:

✅ Prevents Wrinkles & Fine Lines – Helps slow down collagen breakdown.

✅ Fights Free Radicals – protects against pollution and UV damage.

✅ Brightens Skin & Reduces Dark Spots – Helps even out skin tone.

✅ Soothes Inflammation – Ideal for sensitive or irritated skin.

A minimalist tea set with a white ceramic teapot and two matching teacups filled with light green tea, placed on a sunlit table, creating a serene and elegant tea-drinking ambiance.

How to Use White Tea for Skin Health:

Drink 1-2 cups per day to maintain youthful, radiant skin.
Use chilled white tea bags to reduce dark circles.

Rooibos Tea – The Best Tea for Sensitive Skin

Rooibos tea, also known as red tea, is naturally caffeine-free and packed with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and zinc, which are beneficial for soothing and hydrating the skin.

Tea Benefits for Skin:

✅ Calms Skin Irritation & Redness – Helps with eczema, rosacea, and acne.

✅ Hydrates & Softens Skin – Provides deep moisture without caffeine.

✅ Fights Free Radicals – Prevents premature aging.

✅ Reduces Hyperpigmentation – Helps fade dark spots.

A glass cup filled with rich amber-colored rooibos tea, surrounded by loose rooibos leaves, fresh green leaves, and glass jars of tea, creating a warm and earthy tea-drinking atmosphere.

How to Use Rooibos Tea for Skin Health:

Drink 2-3 cups daily for best results.
Use cooled rooibos tea as a facial toner for hydration and soothing effects.

Chamomile Tea – The Best Tea for Glowing, Calm Skin

Chamomile tea is known for its anti-inflammatory and skin-healing properties, making it one of the best teas for skin health.

Tea Benefits for Skin:

✅ Reduces Redness & Inflammation – Ideal for sensitive skin and acne.

✅ Soothes Irritation & Dryness – Great for eczema and rosacea.

✅ Fights Dark Circles & Puffiness – Acts as a natural eye de-puffer.

✅ Heals Blemishes & Scars – Speeds up skin recovery and repair.

A top-down view of a white cup filled with golden chamomile tea, surrounded by fresh chamomile flowers and green herbs on a clean white surface, evoking a calming and soothing tea experience.

How to Use Chamomile Tea for Skin Health:

Drink a cup before bed to relax and support skin health.
Place chilled chamomile tea bags on the eyes to reduce puffiness.

A warm cup of tea in a white ceramic cup and saucer, placed on a rustic wooden table bathed in soft sunlight, with delicate cherry blossoms nearby, creating a serene and cozy tea moment.

Choosing the Best Tea for Your Skin Type

For Acne & Oily Skin: Oolong Tea, Green Tea, Spearmint Tea

For Anti-Aging & Wrinkle Prevention: White Tea, Green Tea, Oolong Tea

For Sensitive & Dry Skin: Rooibos Tea, Chamomile Tea

For Hydration & Glow: White Tea, Chamomile Tea, Rooibos Tea

Final Thoughts: What Tea Is Good for Skin?

When it comes to tea and skin, choosing the right tea can make a significant difference in your complexion. Whether you want to reduce acne, fight aging, or achieve a glowing complexion, drinking the best teas for skin daily can provide long-term benefits.

Among the top teas, oolong tea stands out for its ability to balance oil production, fight signs of aging, and promote healthy skin elasticity. Pairing oolong with green tea, white tea, or rooibos tea can enhance your results even more.

By incorporating tea for healthy skin into your routine, you’ll not only enjoy a delicious beverage but also unlock the secret to radiant, youthful skin.

A vintage floral teacup filled with golden tea, placed on a rustic blue wooden table in a sunlit garden, surrounded by lush greenery and soft purple flowers, evoking a peaceful afternoon tea setting.

A top-down view of a white ceramic cup filled with rich amber-colored tea, accompanied by loose dried tea leaves and fresh green leaves on a textured surface, highlighting the essence of traditional tea brewing.

FAQs

Can drinking tea improve my skin?

Yes! Tea contains antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, and hydration properties that promote clear, youthful, and glowing skin.

How much tea should I drink for better skin?

For the best results, drink 2-3 cups daily of skin-friendly teas like oolong, green, or rooibos tea.

Can I apply tea directly to my skin?

Yes! You can use cooled tea bags, facial mists, or tea-infused skincare products to enhance your skincare routine.

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A fit woman wearing a gray sports top and loose-fitting jeans, holding a cup of tea in one hand while pulling the waistband of her jeans to show weight loss.

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References

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. "Tea and Health: Studies in Humans." The Nutrition Source, Harvard University, https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/tea/. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.

Mayo Clinic Staff. "What Are the Health Benefits of Drinking Tea?" Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 5 June 2024, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/tea/faq-20058336.

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). "Tea and Skin Health: A Review." National Institutes of Health, 2023, https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/tea-and-skin-health.

Khan, Naghma, and Hasan Mukhtar. "Tea Polyphenols for Health Promotion." Journal of Nutrition and Biochemistry, vol. 23, no. 10, 2013, pp. 1062–1075. Elsevier, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnutbio.2012.11.006.

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