Green tea isn’t the only anti aging superstar in the tea family. Rumour has it, its posh cousin white tea does a better job at keeping those pesky wrinkles away from your face.
It doesn’t get the job as often because it charges a higher price. Putting green tea in your lotions and potions is way cheaper.
But, what are you missing out on when you go with green tea rather than white tea? Should you bother hunting down skincare products with white tea? Science says yes. Here’s why:
What Is White Tea?
Just like green tea, white tea is derived from the Camellia Sinesis plant, an evergreen shrub. But, the two are made with different processes.
Green tea is made by steaming and drying the leaves of this plant. On the other hand, only young tea leaves or buds are used to make white tea. These young leaves are slightly steamed immediately after harvest and the sun dried.
This makes white tea the least processed type of tea. You know what this means? Its antioxidant content is VERY high. Way higher than green and black teas.
Related: The Complete Guide To Green Tea In Skincare: What It Is, What It Does, And How To Do It
Need help in creating an anti-aging routine that works? Download the Best Anti-Aging Routine Cheatsheet below:
White Tea For Skin: What Does It Do?
White tea is rich in catechins, a group of antioxidants that fights wrinkles and keeps them off your face.
A 2009 study confirms this. The researchers tested 21 plants extracts and found that white tea has the highest activity both as an antioxidant and as an inhibitor of key MMP subtypes.
You already know what an antioxidant is, so let’s decipher the last part of this hieroglyphic. MMP are a group of enzymes that break down damaged or worn out structural proteins (like collagen and elastin) and help wounds heal faster.
But when their levels get too high (something that naturally happens as you get older) trouble starts. Too many MMP have the opposite effect and degrade collagen and elastin, leading to wrinkles and sagging. That’s where white tea comes in. Its job as inhibitor of MMP means it can keep them at a non-dangerous level.
White Tea has one more job: it helps protect your skin from sun damage. Another 2009 study found that “topical application of green and white tea offered protection against detrimental effects of UV on cutaneous immunity. There was no significant difference in the levels of protection afforded by the two agents.”
In other words, while white tea is a better antioxidant than green tea, they both protect you from sun damage equally well. But, neither is a substitute for sunscreen!
Related: Common Antioxidants Found In Skincare: Which Ones Are Best For You?
What Are The Best Skincare Products With Green Tea?
- Andalou Naturals Acai + White Tea Oil-Free Moisturizer ($17.46): available at iHerb and Walmart
- Paula’s Choice Skincare Defense Antioxidant Pore Purifier ($31.00): available at Dermstore and Paula’s Choice
- Topic Replenix AE Dermal Reconstructing Therapy ($120.00): available at Dermstore and Skinstore
Does Green Tea Have Any Side Effects?
Green tea is generally considered to be safe. Unless you’re allergic to it, of course.
Bottom Line
Green tea is a powerful antioxidant, but white tea is even better. If you plan to add tea to your skincare routine, it’s worth your while to track down products with white tea. Bonus point if they include green tea too. 🙂
I like how smart you are, Gio. 🙂
Trisha, aww thanks. You’re making me blush 😳
I’ve looked this up two months ago and you have summarized everything and more! :] Oh wow, I looked up the product I was using (antioxidant serum from sophyto) and it has both green and white tea! That’s quite exciting haha. It’s the stuff I get for $30 for two at Sam’s club lol (just a wholesale-type store where you have to buy everything in a pack for a lot less).
Janessa, that’s great that you’re already using both and what a great deal! I wish we had something like Sam’s club here, instead we barely get any deals and discounts on cosmetics at all…
i can’t remember if i have taken any skincare products with white tea, but i definitely feel like a good cuppa white tea now 😀 i haven’t observed much benefits from regular intake of green tea for a good couple of years, maybe it’s time to change
Xin, antioxidants such as green tea work by preventing fine lines and wrinkles, rather than reducing the ones you already have, so it can take years to see the results. Having said that, white tea is a wonderful option that has been shown to have a higher antioxidant activity than green tea so there’s no harm in switching or using both. It may actually be more beneficial. 😉
I don’t use it on my skin but I drink white tea every morning. I can brew it as strong as I want it and it doesn’t get bitter like green tea or some black teas do.
Kelly, white tea is my fave too. It’s delicious and not as fussy to make. 🙂