Beau-tea secrets

It’s the nation’s favourite drink – but the humble cuppa has unexpected beauty benefits too, says

Sales of tea bags have rocketed during lockdown and a growing number of beauty brands are adding tea extracts to their products.

“Tea has been used for centuries for its therapeutic properties,” says David Delport, global ambassador at beauty brand Ren.

“Rich in antioxidants, it contains a polyphenol which has potent anti-ageing qualities. It’s also got a calming action which helps to reduce irritation while balancing oil production.”

So why not grab a cuppa and check out our guide to the best tea-based beauty products?

FACE MIST Supercharge your skincare regime with Elemis Superfood Kefir-Tea Mist, £26 (uk.elemis.com). This multipurpose facial mist contains antioxidant-packed rooibos tea. Ideal for a mid-afternoon moisture boost, it tones and primes, and will set make-up too.

HAND WASH Treat your hands to a fragrant blast of white tea, courtesy of Baylis & Harding Elements White Tea & Neroli Hand Wash, £2.50 (boots.com). Keep an eye out for the luxurious body wash in the same range.

UNDER-EYE PATCHES

A good cup of tea can help you feel more awake in the morning, but it won’t hide dark circles under your eyes. For those, try Patchology Moodpatch Happy Place Tea-Infused Aromatherapy Eye Gels, £15 (spacenk. com). These green tea-infused under-eye patches will brighten, hydrate and smooth.

FACIAL SPONGE

The Konjac Sponge Co Facial Puff with Green Tea, £9.99 (konjacspongecompany.com) is infused with antioxidant-rich green tea. Simply dampen the sponge and massage over your skin to remove impurities and boost radiance. Each sponge lasts for around three months and comes in biodegradable packaging.

SUNSCREEN A good sunscreen is worth its weight in gold, and Sukin SPF30 Sheer Touch Facial Sunscreen, £14.95 (sukinnaturals.co.uk) won’t just protect your skin, but will hydrate and nourish too. The secret? A generous splash of antioxidant-rich green tea along with soothing cucumber and rosehip oil.

HAND CREAM L’Occitane Green Tea Hand Cream, £7.20 (escentual. com) layers green tea over lively notes of lime and orange for a skin-softening treat which smells good enough to eat.

EYE CREAM

The caffeine in tea can help naturally shrink eye bags, but there are easier ways than lying around with two damp tea bags over your eyes. Try Dr Hauschka Eye Revive, £23.50 (drhauschka. co.uk), a black tea-infused lotion that cools and refreshes the delicate under-eye area.

FACE PEEL

All too often peels leave the skin feeling sore and irritated. Not so with Dr Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta

Peel Extra Strength Formula, £19 (cultbeauty.co.uk). It relies on green tea extract, known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, to ensure skin is left feeling nourished and rejuvenated.

BODY SCRUB

Ren Clean Skincare Moroccan Rose

Otto Sugar Body

Polish Scrub, £36 (lookfantastic.com) contains Paraguay tea, which is packed with skinfriendly amino acids and polyphenols. Simply massage onto damp skin and rinse off for instantly soft and smooth skin.

FRAGRANCE

Elizabeth Arden’s famous White Tea Collection has just launched an exciting new addition – Elizabeth Arden White Tea Ginger Lily Eau de Toilette Spray, £40 (boots.com). Expect luscious notes of white tea blended with orange and cedarwood.

CLEANSER The key ingredient in Botanics Revive & Protect Postbiotic Gel Cleanser, £6.99 (Boots) is kombucha tea, known for its ability to balance and brighten. It is ideal for easily irritated skin that needs natural soothing ingredients.

FACE MASK

Liven up your beauty regime with these brilliant, black tea-infused Darth Vader Face Mask, £3.99 (madbeauty. com). We’d just avoid answering the door while you’re wearing one.

LIP GLOSS

Pucker up for a caffeine-infused boost courtesy of Chantecaille Brilliant Gloss, £30 (chantecaille. co.uk). This gorgeous gloss contains green tea, which is known for its ability to nourish and protect.