Matcha lattes are all the rage now, but there’s more to the antioxidant powerhouse than its Instagram feed pervasiveness. You can benefit from the silty green tea powder’s potent antioxidants catechins by topically applying matcha to your face and body. But don’t stop reading here and go rogue on me. Instead, do it right by planning ahead with these three matcha green tea beauty recipes, which include a lip moisturizer, a body scrub, and a facemask.
Matcha has been consumed for centuries in Japan and has only recently become a trendy superfood in the West. Matcha powder is derived from nutrient-rich young tea leaves picked from the tips of shade-grown Camellia sinensis tea plants. The leaves are steamed, stemmed, and de-vined before being pulverized. The resulting matcha green tea powder is stored away from oxygen and light in order to preserve its vibrant green color and retain its antioxidant properties.
The concentration of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) available from drinking matcha tea is 137 times higher than the amount available from drinking regular green tea. According to research, EGCG prevents cancer and is effective in promoting heart and metabolic health. But the benefits don’t stop there. Antioxidants are key in promoting skin’s youth by fighting free-radical damage, wrinkles, dullness, fine lines, and uneven skin tone. And what better place to get your dose of topical antioxidants than from the powerhouse itself? Matcha also contains detoxifying chlorophyll and protects the skin from UV damage.
These three matcha beauty recipes maximize the anti-aging effects of matcha green tea on your skin as well as bring more ease and joy to your beauty routine.
Before you get started, be sure to purchase the highest quality matcha powder you can find. Some of my favorite brands include: Encha Matcha, Grace Matcha, and Midori Matcha.
3 Matcha Green Tea Beauty Recipes
1. Matcha Lip Balm
Makes one lip balm
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon shea butter
- 1 teaspoon Beeswax pellets
- 2 teaspoons almond oil
- 1/2 teaspoon matcha green tea powder
- 2 to 3 drops essential oil (lavender, peppermint, or any of your choice)
Directions
In a double boiler over high heat, melt the shea butter, beeswax and almond oil together. Stir until smooth. Once melted, immediately remove the pot from the heat and stir in the matcha powder and essential oil. Once mixed, transfer the mixture to a glass lip balm-sized jar and let it sit at room temperature until it cools and hardens. Once the lip balm has cooled, seal the container closed and toss it into your purse for all your glossy lip needs.
2. Matcha Body Scrub
Makes 1/2 cup
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons white sugar
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
- 2 tablespoons matcha green tea powder
Directions
Add all of the ingredients into a bowl and stir until well combined. Transfer the mixture into a glass jar and seal closed. Rub the scrub all over the body and face once per week before rinsing clean.
3. Matcha Mask
Good for one use
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon matcha green tea powder
- 1 teaspoon raw honey
Directions
Mix the matcha and honey together in a small bowl. Rub the mixture all over cleansed facial skin. Massage into the skin. Let the mask sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing clean.
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