Review: Favorite Skin Care Things with Green Tea

It took me a while to like drinking green tea. I guess any 3-in-1 or Starbucks coffee fan should expect the initial hesitation. Unlike the strong, rich taste of a whipped cream-topped cup of joe, green tea was mild, fragrant, and very light. Eventually, its refreshing taste and its long list of health benefits got me hooked, the obsession soon leading to a quest for the miracle tea leaf (and its other tea leaf/tea tree oil sisters) even in my skin care haunts. Is that a normal reaction, linking drink to skin care? Maybe not. But I’ve never turned back.

The antioxidants and anti-bacterial powers of green tea (read: anti-acne) are said to be effective not only when consumed, but even when applied topically. Below are my current favorites:

Innisfree Green Tea Seed Serum. I’ve raved about this product already, and it continues to be an all-time favorite. This serum is light enough to use under make-up. It absorbs quickly and is refreshingly moisturizing.

Innisfree Green Tea Balancing Skin Care Set. I first got this set as a free sample (it pays to have a fellow skincare junkie who likes to haul during her Seoul trips). This Innisfree green tea incarnation is made specially for oily skin (thank you!) and is mild, gentle, and helps (operative word) keep oiliness at bay.

The Saem Healing Tea Garden Green Tea Cleansing Water. Cleansing water is God’s gift to oily skins living in tropical countries. Add green tea to that and you’ve got a refreshing splash to wipe away all the grime of makeup and sweat after a long day. I love the light, forest-y scent of this product, and it goes hand in hand with the Saem’s Green Tea Cleansing Foam.

Human Nature Acne Defense Facial Wash. Sometimes, when my skin starts a new tantrum, my time tested products fail in clearing out the unsightly spots. When this happens, it’s time to add new products to the rotation. That need led me to Human Nature’s Acne Defense products, a new line that is packed with pimple-fighting tea tree oil and soothing aloe vera. I like using their facial wash in the morning, right after waking up to the greasiest face on earth, and lather it on with a cleansing sponge.

Human Nature Acne Defense Solution Gel. My favorite though from this line is the Acne Defense Solution Gel. Pegged as a spot treatment to zits, I found this gentle and soothing enough to be used on the entire face. So I’ve been using this as a night and even day serum on days when my skin needs a little extra help.