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3 min read
No longer reserved for your post-pilates latte, matcha is making its way into skincare. Here’s why…
The beauty industry is obsessed with skincare ingredients. From buzzy acids (think glycolic, lactic and everyone’s favourite: hyaluronic) to interesting extracts (sunflower shoot, mushrooms and pineapple), every few months, an ingredient seems to take over the skincare sphere, promising bold results and beautified skin. But is it all just clever marketing that makes our ears prick up at the mention of these ingredients or is there weight to their claims?
Matcha is the latest recognisable ingredient that’s popping up in everything from cleansers to eye creams and it’s not surprising given our obsession with the green tea drink. Packed with polyphenols, l-theanine and chlorophyll, studies have shown that matcha is anti-inflammatory when consumed as a drink, but skincare experts argue that, topically, it can do a lot for our complexion too.
“Matcha is an antioxidant that helps to balance and deeply moisturise while also replenishing the skin with vital, high potency nutrients,” Noella Gabriel, global president and co-founder at Elemis, tells Stylist. “Skin is left looking and feeling fresh, radiant and healthy.”
Lorne Lucree, SVP of global innovation at Tatcha, agrees. “Matcha can help calm sensitised skin, especially blemish-prone skin.” Thanks to the tea’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, it has been shown in five randomised-controlled studies that green tea extract significantly reduced the amount of breakouts. “We partnered our ‘kyo-matcha’ with Japanese hatomugi, which acts like a ceramide to support skin barrier health, so when you cleanse, instead of stripping the skin, you’re strengthening and soothing it.”
Want to up your intake of the green stuff? Shop our favourite matcha-packed skincare products below…
KraveBeauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser
Packed with vitamin B5 and nourishing hemp seed oil, this non-stripping cleanser is perfect for those with drier skin types who want to effectively cleanse the skin without stripping away any essential moisture.
Shop KraveBeauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser at Cult Beauty, £16
Dermalogica Phyto Nature Lifting Eye Cream
You’d be forgiven for not knowing that this unassuming eye cream is powered by matcha. “In Phyto Nature Lifting Eye Cream we use matcha butter – infused with microfine ground green tea powder which offers potent antioxidant properties to help counteract harmful free radicals,” explains Victoria Evans, education manager at Dermalogica. Blended with peptides, the result is firmer, stronger skin around the delicate eye area.
Shop Dermalogica Phyto Nature Lifting Eye Cream at Cult Beauty, £115
Lush Matcha Face Mask
While some matcha-infused products are seriously expensive, this face mask is pleasingly affordable. Nutrient-rich and supercharged with matcha, spirulina and lemon, it treats skin to a refreshing reset – brightening it for a glowing, radiant finish.
Hello Klean Nourishing Micronutrient Wash
Formulated to thoroughly rinse off hard water, this clever shower foam works to thoroughly melt away hard water deposits that can leave your skin feeling dry and tight. Almond oil and a micronutrient blend containing niacinamide, vitamin E, and provitamin B5 work to hydrate and nourish while matcha green tea and microalgae remove hard water residue while balancing the skin. Expect soft and hydrated skin after just one wash.
Shop Hello Klean Nourishing Micronutrient Wash at Cult Beauty, £18
Mantle The Green Mask
A great option for blemish-prone skin, this mask gently exfoliates skin with a blend of matcha, 2% BHA and fermented honey. Dull and congested skin is cleared without stripping the skin of its natural oils to reveal a more even, radiant complexion.
Wishful Eye Lift and Contour 1% Bakuchiol and Peptide Serum
Harnessing 1% bakuchiol (a gentle alternative to retinol) along with peptides, antioxidant-rich matcha and caffeine, this firming eye cream works to diminish dark circles and reduce puffiness. Keep it in the fridge for a cooling burst, thanks to the zamak applicator.
Shop Wishful Eye Lift and Contour 1% Bakuchiol and Peptide Serum at Cult Beauty, £36
Tatcha Matcha Cleanse
Designed for oily and combination skin, this gel cleanser helps to balance sebum production thanks to its blend of green tea matcha and Japanese mugwort. Expect a brighter, clearer complexion after regular use.
Elemis Superfood Matcha Eye Dew
This cooling eye gel nourishes the delicate skin around the eyes, reducing puffiness and brightening areas of dullness. Matcha serves as an antioxidant, warding off damaging free radicals, deeply moisturising and replenishing the skin with vital, nutrients.
Images: courtesy of brands
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