My top 3 favourite green tea beauty tips

For years you've heard about the benefits of drinking green tea but did you also know that green tea can be used for beauty benefits too?  That’s right! Green tea works great as a beauty ingredient, with amazing benefits ranging from busting hormonal acne to reducing signs of aging. But what is it exactly that makes green tea an essential part of your beauty regimen? Well studies have shown that green tea is naturally packed with high amounts of antioxidants and these antioxidants help to fight free radicals, when applied to the skin in the same way as when it is consumed. Read on to learn more on my top 3 favourite green tea beauty DIY tips.

GREEN TEA FACIAL MIST

This is great for soothing the skin and tackling any blemishes or rashes you may have. Green tea has an ample of anti-inflammatory properties which makes it an ideal beauty ingredient for people who have acne prone skin. I find this great for the warmer months as it really gives me a more refresh and glowing look.  Here’s what you’ll need: 1 cup of brewed Jasmine green tea cooled, (if you don’t have jasmine you can use normal green tea) and 1 clean spray bottle.

Add about two-three spoons of green tea leaves or bags in a cup of boiling water. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes and then strain it and allow it to cool off completely. Then pour into an empty spray bottle and mist over the face about 2-3 times a day.

GREEN TEA EYE MASK

This is ideal for people who suffer from puffy eyes and dark circles. Place two tea bags in a mug of hot water for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove them and let them cool down to room temperature.  Place the tea bags on your eyes for about 10 to 15 minutes, doing this at least twice a week.  These cooled tea bags help reduce the swelling around your eyes, helps tighten the skin and reduces dark circles.  But how exactly does this work? What is the science behind this?  Well green tea contains tannins. Tannins control the tea’s colour and taste and they help activate the healthy blood circulation which help sooth and tighten the skin.  Tip: Follow with Skinb5’s moisturizer to hydrate the skin underneath the eyes and also to reap extra skin benefits as the light weight moisturizer also contains green tea.

GREEN TEA FACIAL STEAM

I love doing this particular steam facial because it eliminates toxins, boosts circulation, cleans out my pores and makes me feel relaxed.  Here’s how to get started; place about 3-4 cups of water in a pot, add 3 to 4 teaspoons of green tea powder or tea bags and bring to a boil. 

Meanwhile, prepare your skin for the steam facial by using a gentle cleanser. I like to use skinb5’s cleansing mousse as it gets every bit of makeup off and keeps my skin feeling super clean and not dry.  Once the pot comes to a boil, place your face over it, covering your head with a towel. Remember to keep your eyes closed and don’t forget to breathe. Steam for about 5-10 minutes and follow with skinb5’s 5 minute purifying mask. This purifying mask is perfect after the steam facial because the pores are open and the mask will be able to penetrate deeply into the skin in just a few minutes. Once the mask is dry, rinse your face with cold water to close the pores and gently pat your face dry.

Green tea benefits health and beauty in so many ways, so next time you make a cup of green tea remember not to throw it away.

Farah's Bio

Farah has been using SkinB5 for two years now. She is an advocate for natural and organic beauty products, healthy living and a self-proclaimed whole foods enthusiast.  Her passion for health and beauty stems from her personal experiences dealing with problematic skin and now she wants to help others learn her secrets to flawless skin from the inside, out. 

Do men grow out of acne?

That’s what my dermatologist said… about five years ago, and I’m still waiting.

Whilst I’ve enjoyed fluctuations between periods of clear skin and just plain awful, I’ve always held onto the idea that it’ll end at some point. Magically I will wake up at the mystic age when it all goes away.

Maybe its yet to happen because I lie about my age? 

When I stop throwing 21st birthday parties and accept that I’m in my mid-twenties, my body will reward me by giving me clear, beautiful and datable skin. Good.

If the cynicism in my writing isn’t strong enough, I will state something quite obvious, although maybe not apparent enough for my former dermatologist- adult men have acne too.

A silver lining however is that the most masculine of men, bodybuilders, are often susceptible to acne. So we’re in strong company. Punny, I know.

Bodybuilders take large volumes of supplements and hormones, which can cause nutritional and hormonal imbalances, specifically excessive androgens such as testosterone, contributing to the emergence of acne. Their rigorous training doesn’t help either, as they sweat excessively, should they not be able to clean and clear their skin afterwards, it is possible to then develop breakouts as a result.

Compounding this, many men in their resistance to what they may perceive to be overly cosmetic treatments will simply pop, squeeze and pick pimples in an attempt to remove them. 

No. Refrain from that, as you can then enjoy the bacteria from these being pushed deeper into the skin. 

This can then spread to other pores, inflame other pimples and cause cysts. Then you’re facing a bigger problem.

A targeted approach which treats skin from within is necessary. Whilst people as disciplined as bodybuilders may have excellent diets that are tailored to their needs, they may still be lacking the essential vitamins and minerals for the health of their skin.

SkinB5 contains a potent dose of clear skin nutrients, namely Vitamin B, which address the nutritional imbalances in the body that cause the overproduction of sebum, and the painful condition of acne.

Men are really good at ignoring their problems, and few want their masculinity challenged by using what they might think of as beauty products. However if bodybuilders are taking these tablets, and using cleanser (not unlike soap, really) when they shower, I think the average man can too. Besides, this isn’t cosmetics, it’s treatment.



Who is Nick Bell?
Nick joins SkinB5 as a writer, contributing monthly to the blog.
A mid-twenties Melburnian cliche, the bearded student suffers wanderlust, a soft spot of his city's cafe culture and a love of cycling. He writes from experience, having suffered acne himself throughout both high school and university,  and it's something he still battles today. Nick also writes a personal blog where he is documenting his journey for clear skin with SkinB5, having previously given up after years of ineffective products and medications.

Does alcohol consumption cause acne? We debunk the myth

It is common for people to say that fast foods, sweet things and alcohol can cause acne. A close friend complained that she experienced an acne break-out after a boozy weekend in Brisbane, and I immediately believed that was the cause. I myself often find that after a big weekend, my skin will pay the price in the following week.

So does alcohol cause acne? Yes, but there’s more to it than you’d first consider.

Alcohol affects hormone levels, and an imbalance of testosterone or oestrogen levels can cause excessive production of sebum and the development of acne.

Alcohol is a hepatotoxin, which damages the cells that act as a detox for the body. Furthermore, it drains your body of nutrients- particularly b vitamins, and it dehydrates you, which is also bad for your skin!

However it is not just the consumption of alcohol that damages our skin, it is the behaviour associated with alcohol consumption that also contributes.

We often drink for a reason, some people turn to alcohol when they’re stressed. It calms you, and if you drink enough will remove you from a cognitive state that allows one to contemplate their problems. Stress is a cause of acne itself, as it also triggers fluctuations of hormones, as discussed in a previous blog.

Other behaviours resulting from the consumption of alcohol, or associated with it, can also contribute to poor quality skin. Should your drinking lead to a late night, the lack of sleep will impact upon the quality of your skin.

When drinking you could find yourself engaging in damaging behaviours that you usually wouldn’t . I am not unknown to become a social smoker after some drinks, and that is but one of a number of unusual behaviours which we might find ourselves engaged in, but otherwise condemn.  

A boozy night could also see you not adhere to your usual skin-care routines. If you are like me, you may occasionally over-indulge at a party and find yourself waking up in the morning not having cleansed or applied topical solutions as you usually would before bed. That combined with the negative impacts of poor sleep, dehydration and your off-put hormone levels can combine in an unfortunate way.

So it is indeed the truth that alcohol can contribute to acne, but there are in fact a number of factors which can contribute to poor quality skin. With this in mind, I’m going to give the liquor and late nights a rest!



Who is Nick Bell?
Nick joins SkinB5 as a writer, contributing monthly to the blog.
A mid-twenties Melburnian cliche, the bearded student suffers wanderlust, a soft spot of his city's cafe culture and a love of cycling. He writes from experience, having suffered acne himself throughout both high school and university,  and it's something he still battles today. Nick also writes a personal blog where he is documenting his journey for clear skin with SkinB5, having previously given up after years of ineffective products and medications.

Are Expensive Skincare Products the Best?

The truth about whether expensive skincare products are better is that it really depends. Some top-of-the-line skin care products can have a high price tag with a low quality formulation and lots of chemicals. Comparatively, some low cost skin care products can be really user-friendly with beautiful natural ingredients, but some can also be very cheap and nasty. The amount of money you spend really has nothing to do with how good the product will be - it all comes down to what’s in the mix.

Comparing ingredients

If you compare skincare products from both ends of the price scale that have the same ingredients how do you know which one is better? It’s often all about the amount of the active ingredient. Most products should tell you the percentage of an active ingredient. 2% will be much higher than 0.5% for example. When you look at an ingredient list on a label, it’s useful to note that the higher up on the list of ingredients something is, the more of it is in the formula. So if a product is boasting to contain a certain ingredient, if it’s the last thing on the list then it may only have tiny amounts!

Marketing & perception

Marketing is a very expensive exercise, as is packaging. The cost of advertising and fancy packaging all has to be absorbed into the cost of the product itself. If you are drawn to the prettier & fancier bottles and fabulously designed labels, just remember that you’re paying for that in the price tag. Skin care is big business, and some companies make outlandish claims and charge hundreds or thousands of dollars for a tiny pot of cream that claims to be ‘the best’. Sometimes however, an extremely expensive prestigious cream can be almost exactly the same as one that costs a fraction of the price – it’s all about perception, as many people believe the more it costs the better it should be.

Regulation of cosmetics

Industry regulation of cosmetics is a tricky business. In Australia, suppliers of cosmetics are legally required to adhere to strict labelling regulations, which is enforced under the Australian Consumer Law. All ingredients in skin care are considered ‘industrial chemicals’ whether they are natural or not, and should be approved by NICNAS⁽¹⁾. 20% of products that underwent a recent review did not live up to the requirements of the labelling standards. 30% of calls to the Australian Competitor and Consumer Commission (ACCC) were made because of injuries or adverse reactions to cosmetics⁽²⁾. This included both high-end and low-end products. So it really goes to show that all skincare products are scrutinised, and you can get the same problems no matter what the price tag.

What does this essentially mean?

My advice would be to always read the ingredients and do your own research. Compare products, check the percentage of active ingredients if they are listed, and look things up on databases and review sights online for products or specific ingredients. Spending more on your skin doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get better results – remember, it’s all in the mix.

1. Health AGDo. Chemical Information - Cosmetics; 2015 [cited 2015 Sept 21]; Available from: http://www.nicnas.gov.au/chemical-information/cosmetics.
2. Rickard D. Cosmetic compliance and safety and the Australian Consumer Law. Australian Competition & Consumer Commission; 2014 [cited 2015 Sept 21]; Available from: https://www.accc.gov.au/speech/cosmetic-compliance-and-safety-and-the-australian-consumer-law.

Haley is a passionate Naturopath & nutrition expert, writer, and mum of 2 young children, with years of experience in the industry. She is a known as a real 'nutrition nerd' and follows the latest natural health research. As a Paleo and raw food enthusiast, she coaches people in healthy living, beauty and positive mindset. Haley has personally experienced the benefits of the SkinB5 natural acne treatment system and is happy to offer her guidance to help others regain clear skin. Follow her blog at www.aliveinwonderland.com & link with her on facebook at www.facebook.com/aliveinwonderlandhealth 

Common Skincare Product Myths

Do you feel lost in the mass of information regarding skincare regimes and skincare products? There’s so much information out there, enough to make you throw your hands in the air with no idea what to take as truth or myth. I hear you. Let’s see if I can clear up some of these myths!

Expensive products are good
As I recently explored in an article, expensive products are not necessarily good. It’s all in the mix. Don’t forget that you’re also paying for a company’s packaging and marketing, and the perception their product has of being elite and ‘the best.’

Scrubbing the face is the best way to cleanse
No! Scrubbing the face can be way too harsh. Often it can remove the delicate layer of sebum which sets your oil production out of whack. Instead of scrubbing, I suggest using a gentle foaming cleanser like SkinB5’s beautiful gentle Acne Cleansing Mousse, and a mask that draws out the impurities, like their Skin Purifying Clay Mask.

Exfoliating can help get rid of acne
Acne prone skin can be made so much worse by exfoliating – acne is not a hygiene issue and you’ll generally end up worsening the inflammation! So be kind and gentle, there’s no need to exfoliate with harsh cleansers or brushes.

Your skin should feel tight after washing
Actually, if it feels really tight it is probably a sign that your cleanser is too harsh. Your skin should feel clean, yet soft.

Skincare products alone can treat acne
Acne requires a multifaceted approach. The skin cells are made from within, so it’s imperative to address internal causes with acne, as well as treating the skin on the outside. SkinB5 has a duel approach with their cleanser, moisturiser and mask that contain natural acne-controlling ingredients, and a unique formulation in their Acne Control Tablets & Caplets that address the causes where it starts – from within!

Vitamins & minerals have no effect on our skin health
My goodness, they most certainly do. We should be getting our nutrients from our diet, and that is what keeps every part of us healthy and in a state of repair, however many of us are deficient in key nutrients. Without these nutrients everything can be set off balance. Micronutrients like Zinc, Magnesium and B-vitamins are involved in almost every pathway in our body, including hormones, which is another reason why treating skin conditions from within is vital. The healthier our gut is the better our skin will be too, as digestive problems are linked to skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and acne.

Anti-aging comes in a bottle
Being as the skin cells are made from the inside, our aging process occurs by internal changes. Any anti-aging regime should ideally contain supplements containing antioxidants, minerals and vitamins to ensure the skin can fight off free-radical damage and be able to repair effectively. Nutrients such as zinc, silica, biotin and vitamin B5 are among the most important vitamins & minerals for healthy skin appearance.


Haley is a passionate Naturopath & nutrition expert, writer, and mum of 2 young children, with years of experience in the industry. She is a known as a real 'nutrition nerd' and follows the latest natural health research. As a Paleo and raw food enthusiast, she coaches people in healthy living, beauty and positive mindset. Haley has personally experienced the benefits of the SkinB5 natural acne treatment system and is happy to offer her guidance to help others regain clear skin. Follow her blog at www.aliveinwonderland.com & link with her on facebook at www.facebook.com/aliveinwonderlandhealth