Meet Your Matcha... Face Mask!

Let’s face it– matcha has a ton of health benefits.  Best known as a powerhouse beverage– it is stocked with vitamins, amino acids, and antioxidants. Drinking it improves mental clarity, removes toxins, boosts metabolism, and delivers focused energy. But did you know this green super powder can also support your skin in fighting aging, acne, and blemishes (especially in this Matcha Face Mask)!   It’s true! When applied topically, matcha helps keep your skin soft, clear and balanced. Matcha contains high levels of epigallocatechin gallate (or EGCG, a major catechin [ca-tuh-kn] found in green tea) which deserves credit for many of matcha’s benefits. With its high antioxidant content, matcha can help mitigate the damage caused by free radicals and environmental stressors.  These catechins help catch and deactivate the skin’s free radicals and help impede the many signs or premature aging while preserving skin elasticity.  As an effective anti-inflammatory, matcha helps reduce swelling, puffiness, and evens skin tone, making it an ally for those suffering from skin conditions like rosacea.  And lastly, the tannins in green tea help slow oil production and shrink pores. Sounds great, right? So, what’s the recipe for incorporating matcha into your skincare routine?  We recommend a weekly matcha mask. It’s a quick and easy combination of matcha with extra virgin olive oil and honey– both of which are ripe with their own skin benefits.   1 teaspoon Matcha Tea 1 Orange Blossom Honey Straw 1 tsp olive oil ½ tsp water   A convenient tin of Matcha (easy to measure & use the extra for matcha lattes) + single-serve portion Honey Straw makes this mask a snap to prepare. In addition to these ingredients, you’ll need only a small bowl and stirrer. Mix together thoroughly to form a smooth, deep green paste.                   Apply to face and neck. For best results, apply with a face mask brush (or fingers will work in a pinch).  Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse off with warm water while massaging your face in circular motions.  The matcha and sugars in the honey act as a natural exfoliant, sloughing off dead skins cells.     Hello, brighter, tighter, and glowing skin! TREAT YOURSELF!