It can be difficult to isolate exactly what turns your skin around - is it hormones? Is it diet? Is it that random product sample you used on your weekend away? Is it stress (very likely!)? Like a balanced diet, it's often not ONE thing that makes your skin glow, it's a lineup of the right foods, movement, sleep and a skincare routine to support that.
But you didn't click on this article because you wanted to read about that, did you? One of my favourite beauty series' is called "Why Is Your Skin So Good" by The Cut. They profile entrepreneurs, artists, athletes and actors and basically ask them about their skincare routine (and sometimes they accompany this with a little video of how they apply the products).
Anyway, last year I spotted this interview and was immediately intrigued with the anti-inflammatory tea listed in the product details (this is also the post where I was convinced to purchase the Tower28 SOS Spray, but that's another story for another day). I browsed all the reviews for the Republic of Tea's Get Gorgeous herbal tea on Acne.org - not all of them the most recent, but all very positive. Here's a sampling:
"I am a huge fan of this tea! I am not a constant drinker of it - rather when I notice my skin acting up/a few spots creeping up do I drink it (1-2 cups a day) and within a few days I definitely notice a difference."
"After 2 days I woke up looked in the mirror and was in awe at how much healthier my skin look even had a glow !!!"
"I am a 30 something mother of 2. I tried all kinds of acne skin treatments with no luck and then I saw this tea and thought why not try it. It worked!"
Then I hunted down a tin of these tea bags on eBay.
So, what makes this blend so beneficial for skin? You've got a mix of Organic Rooibos, orange peel, Hibiscus, Chamomile, Burdock Root and Red Clover. What all of these have in common is the antioxidant properties - it's an antioxidant cocktail. Antioxidants help repair your skin, protect it from free radical damage and reduce inflammation (inflammation is a key player in forming acne and redness). Some people swear by green tea for this reason, but this tea is a bit more sweet and fruity sipping experience.
You can brew this and have it over ice on a warm day, but it's really easy to consume (in other words, some herbal teas are a pain, right?), and you could easily drink 1-2 cups a day. Now for the impact on the skin - this brings me back to my opening paragraph. If you're drinking more tea, you're drinking more water, you might be thinking more mindfully about your diet overall, or taking some time in the morning or evening to enjoy a cup of tea - all of these things can improve your skin.
I can't imagine anyone with severe or cystic acne will see a massive improvement but antioxidants are important for your skin and body overall, so replacing your coffee with something like this could be the right choice if you're already into supplements and skin boosters (and importantly, if you already like tea and other warm beverages!).
I'm down to just a few of these teabags (they will run you around $13 USD for 35), and naturally I brewed myself a mug to enjoy while I was penning this piece, so for a final taste overview - it's very mild in flavour, it's slightly fruity and citrus-y, and easy to sip on.
Oral antioxidants should be complemented by a daily sunscreen (to protect from free radical damage from UV rays) and topical antioxidants (like a vitamin C serum!). There is some data on oral antioxidants being beneficial for acne - but not necessarily this exact tea blend, so as with much of this kind of thing, take it with a grain of salt (or a squeeze of lemon), and make it one of the tools in your arsenal that supports your skin's natural functions.
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