Green Tea Can Make You Beautiful

Green Tea Can Make You Beautiful

Green tea is the most consumed beverage in the world after fresh water. Ahmed and
Stepp (2013) and Furuse, Adachi, Tomonaga, Yamane and Denbow (2009) point out that
green tea is made from the steamed and dried leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, the
same species from which white, oolong, black and pu-erh teas are derived. Hilton (1973)
states the chemical composition of tea is complex and includes polyphenols, alkaloid
(caffeine, theophylline and theobromine), amino acids, carbohydrates, proteins,
chlorophyll, volatile compounds, minerals, trace elements and other unidentified
compounds (cited in Preedy, 2013, p. 92).
The active constituents in green tea are family of polyphenols (catechins) and
flavonols which possess potent antioxidant activity. Tannins, large polyphenol molecules,
form the bulk of the active compounds in green tea, with catechins comprising nearly
90%. Among them, Arts et al. (2000) and Campbell et al. (2004) remark that
epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant flavonoid in tea and particularly
in green tea. In addition, Suganuma et al. (1998) explain that approximately 26% of the
solid weight of green tea extract is tea polyphenols, of which 11% are EGCG. Thus,
EGCG is primarily responsible for the pharmacological actions of tea (cited in McKinley
& Jamieson, 2009, p. 2).
According to Furuse, Adachi, Tomonaga, Yamane and Denbow (2009), antioxidant,
anticarcinogenic, and antiviral activity are some of beneficial effects of polyphenols.
Green tea also has been reported may have the ability to help prevent cancers of the skin,
esophagus, stomach, colon, pancreas, lung, bladder, prostate, and breast (p. 2). Hence, it
is firmly believed that green tea can make you beautiful because tea polyphenols

Green Tea Can Make You Beautiful

components can reduce dark circles, act as anti-acne agents and help delay skin aging
process.
Reduce Dark Circles
First and foremost, it should be noted that green tea can reduce dark circles or
idiopathic cutaneous hyperchromia of the orbital region (ICHOR) which is one of the
most common skin problem that can affect individual of any gender, age and race.
Cutaneous hyperchromia of the orbital region is characterised by bilateral darkening of
the eyelid and orbital skin that contrasts with the adjoining facial skin. There are many
factors that lead to the dark circles. However, Garcia and Fulton (1996) assert the most
common primary cause of ICHOR is hyperpigmentation of the skin, which results from
melanin deposits in the dermis. Melanin deposits in the dermis may be congenital
(primary) or secondary to environmental factors such as: excessive exposure to the sun,
endogenous or use of exogenous estrogens and progestagens, pregnancy and
breast-feeding. Sun exposure is a risk factor of dark circles aggravation as study made by
Elson and Nacht (1999) show that exposure to ultraviolet radiation causes skin thinning
and increases melanin and vessel content, thus favouring the darkening of this region
(cited in Verschoore et al., 2012, pp. 176-177).
In order to reduce this ICHOR problem, people need to go through a special
treatment or use some specific cosmetical products like glistening tubes of under eye
creams which cost money. Conversely, the best and economical way to remove dark
circles without any side effects is by applying soaked tea bags of green tea on eyes.
Caffein and tannins in green tea able to shrink the blood vessels just under your skin.

Green Tea Can Make You Beautiful

Both of this components reduce swelling and puffiness under the eyes and the constricted
blood vessels also help to eliminate the dark circles.
Anti-acne agents
Secondly, green tea can act as anti-acne agent. According to Goulden et al. (1997)
acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin disease found in over 80% of adolescents
and often continues into adulthood. Kurokawa et al. (2009) acknowledge the
pathogenesis of acne is complicated, involving hormonal factors as well as
microbiological and immunologicalmechanisms. Leyden et al. (1975) explain that
Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is one of the major factors contributing to the
pathogenesis of acne. In addition, Vowels et al. (1995) note that P. acnes contributes to the
inflammatory reaction of acne by inducing monocytes to produce pro-inflammatory
cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), Interleukin-1beta (IL-1b), and
interleukin-8 (IL-8). Jugeau et al. (2005) state the mechanism by which P. acnes activates
monocyte cytokine release occurs through a toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)-dependent
pathway (cited in Jung et al., 2012, pp. 655-656).
Besides that, Abulnaja (2009) says acne vulgaris is a distressing skin condition which
can carry with it significant psychological disability. Patients with acne are more likely to
experience anger and are at increased risk of depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation.
Szent-Gyorgyi (1928) explains that certain nutrients that have been implicated as
influencing the pathophysiology of acne have also been identified as important mediators
of human cognition, behavior and emotions. Higher levels of oxidative stress have been
documented in social anxiety, a condition more common in those with acne. Shindo et al.
(1994) assert while depression and anxiety can certainly influence oxidative stress, the

Green Tea Can Make You Beautiful

oxidative stress theory of depression/anxiety also dictates that some of the symptoms may
be directly mediated by free radical damage to lipid components of the central nervous
system (p. 36).
Forest and Rafikhah (2014) remark that acne vulgaris can be treated by using many
highly effective topical and systemic medications. However, many complications have
forced scientists toward more natural products to against this bothersome disease such as
green tea. Based on the study made by Yoon et al. (2013), EGCG was effective against
acne lesions in an 8-week, randomized, clinical trial. Fowler et al. (2010) and Azimi et al.
(2012) speculate that anti-acne effect of green tea may be associated with its anti-bacterial,
anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Lee et al., (2009), Taylor et al. (2005),
Jung et al. (2012) Yoon et al. (2013) and Fisk et al. (2014) confirm the green tea extract is
active against P. acne due to the presence of especial carbohydrates with anti-microbial
properties (pp. 41-43).
In addition, Mahmood et al., (2010) suggest that green tea decreases sebum
production, an important factor in development of acne lesions. This anti-sebum property
is believed to be due to gallatees and -linoleic acis in this plant that acts against
5-reductase. The anti-oxidant property of green tea has been attributed to flavonoid
compounds with phenolic structures. Hsu (2005) remarks these compounds neutralize
biologic macromolecules and reactive oxygen species that play a role in the pathogenesis
of acne vulgaris (cited in Forest & Rafikhah, 2014, p. 43).
As can be seen, green tea can be used to treat acne as the anti-inflammatory effect of
green tea is able to soothe the skin and reduce the inflammation caused by acne. Besides

Green Tea Can Make You Beautiful

drinking it, green tea can be more effective when used topically by mixing the contents of
green tea bag with honey until it form a paste that can be applied at area affected by acne.
Help delay skin aging process
Last but not least, green tea can help delay skin aging process. According to
Khazanchi, Aggarwal and Johar (2007), skin aging is a complex process that is divided
into two components; intrinsic aging which is genetically determined and extrinsic aging
caused by environmental exposure, primarily UV light. The most important reason of
earliest skin changes that may appear as early as mid-20s but are usually apparent by
mid-30s is sun induced actinic damage or solar elastosis. One of prominent feature of
aging skin is hyperpigmentation which occurs when amount of melanin in the epidermis,
the dermis or both increased. Textural changes of the skin begin with fine superficial lines
in the skin wrinkles. The lines increase and get organized with time due to facial muscle
contractions, known as mimetic lines get added. With repeated muscular contractions
these mimetic lines extend into the dermis causing skin furrows and later, skin folds
become apparent when skin becomes redundant and over lapping (pp. 223-229).
As a matter of fact, plant extracts have been widely used as ingredients of topical
agents for wound healing and antiaging. Rababah, Hettiararachchy and Horax (2004)
state some of the commonly used plants for this purpose are ginkgo, ginseng, grape seeds,
papaya, citrus fruits (e.g., lemon), lavender, rosemary, soy, aloe vera, and green tea, etc.
Furthermore, Rice-Evans and Miller (1996) explain plant extracts usually contain
polyphenols such as flavonoids, which react withreactive oxygen species (ROS) to
neutralize free radicals. At present, there is a strong tendency in the cosmetic industry to
develop multifunctional cosmetics with high antioxidant activity. Ma et al. (2001) discuss

Green Tea Can Make You Beautiful

according to the oxidative stress theory, the major causes of skin aging are an excessive
production of ROS and a reduction of antioxidant activity with age (cited in Hong et al.,
2014, pp. 25-26).
Hong, Jung, Noh and Suh (2014) point out that green tea extract can be used to help
treat hypercholesterolemia, and protect individuals against disorders caused by the aging
process. It is due to the potent antioxidant activities of catechins in green tea and it can be
improved by tannase in green tea (p. 26). Therefore, green tea extract should be used in
cosmetics as skin anti-aging agent that can delay the signs of skin aging.
In conclusion, it is firmly believed that green tea can make you beautiful because tea
polyphenols components can reduce dark circles, act as anti-acne agents and help delay
skin aging process. The Prophet Muhammad once said, Allah is Beautiful and loves
beauty. From this hadith, it stated that Allah loves to see the external beauty of His
slaves, which reflects His blessing on them. Nevertheless, the most important point is the
inner beauty of their gratitude to him for those blessings as the Prophet Muhammad also
said, Allah does not look at your bodies or your (outward) forms, rather He looks at your
hearts.