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Best matcha-powered skincare to awaken your complexion
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Caffeine and skincare go together like a commuter and their morning brew.
In much the same way that a piping hot cuppa is essential for most folks first thing, a caffeine-infused face wash, serum, or moisturiser is a non-negotiable for the early bird skincare fan on a mission to banish those undereye bags and elevate the complexion.
You may know it as the neon green drink enjoyed by Gen Zers over ice with oat milk, but matcha is a highly caffeinated superfood that also has countless benefits in skincare and makeup. The traditional, finely ground green tea powder originates in Japan and is made from the entire shade-grown tea leaf, which ensures the superfood retains all its precious nutrients.
Dr Marko Lens, founder of Zelens, gave us further insights into the superfood ingredients.
What is matcha?
“Matcha is a finely ground powder made from specially grown and processed green tea leaves,” explains the expert. “Unlike traditional green tea extracts, where only certain compounds are isolated, matcha delivers the full spectrum of the leaf's nutrients directly to the skin, allowing for maximum absorption of its beneficial properties.”
“While coffee offers a caffeine-fuelled high followed immediately by a rock-bottom crash, matcha is beloved by healthcare gurus as it offers a sustained, healthy caffeine boost that lasts all day, sans jitters. This is because matcha is also brimming with amino acids like L-theanine, which helps to promote relaxation and balance out the often anxiety-inducing effects of excess caffeine. This is not only the case when matcha is consumed, but when it’s applied directly to the skin.”
Does this mean you can use leftover matcha drinks on your skin? Thankfully not. Dr Lens warns “Just make sure you don’t drink your skincare or apply a steaming latte to your face. Please do keep those very different types of matcha-infused necessities separate.”
Why is matcha so powerful in skincare?
“Matcha is truly a superfood for the skin. It is packed with antioxidants, especially catechins like EGCG, which neutralise free radicals and prevent breakouts. It's also rich in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, leading to healthier, more radiant skin, reduced irritation, and even skin tone. That's why we've made it a central component of Zelens Tea Shot Urban Defence Serum, to deliver these benefits directly to the skin,” explains Dr Lens.
What's the difference between the matcha in skincare and the kind you can drink?
According to Dr Lens, “Skincare matcha is selected for its specific antioxidant profile and purity, and it undergoes rigorous testing. The particle size is often finer for better absorption. Culinary matcha might not be as finely milled or tested for topical use.”
What are some of the long-term benefits of using matcha-powered skincare?
“Using Matcha in your skincare may reduce signs of ageing, improve skin tone and texture, enhance hydration, protect against environmental damage, and offer overall healthier, more radiant skin,” says the founder of Zelens. “It's a powerful ingredient for long-term skin health.”
Just as serving of matcha in the morning ensures the body gets a healthy dose of antioxidants, crash-free caffeine and anti-inflammatory protection, when combined with cult-favourite skin-loving ingredients, matcha-powered skincare can have a similar effect on the body’s largest organ.
The result? An instantly de-puffed, radiant and redness-free complexion which is protected against external pollutants – an absolute necessity for those who live and work in the city.
We’ve curated a selection of the best matcha-powered skincare to awaken your complexion below.
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Tatcha The Water Cream
Each application of this lightweight moisturiser from Tatcha feels like a luxury treatment. From the aroma to the texture, it’s a step you will relish each morning and night and that’s all before I even get to the formula.
The product is backed with hydrating botanicals with a unique water-burst composition that is released upon contact with your skin. It harnesses Japanese plant-based ingredients like wild rose, leopard lily and superfoods like the brand’s signature and trademarked Hadasei-3 (a proprietary complex of twice-fermented rice, green tea and algae) to leave skin healthy, refine pores and combat excess oil production. You will notice your face feels moisture-enriched, balanced and softer.
Zelens Tea Shot Urban Defence Serum 30ml
We love the fact that this premium, high-powered serum does exactly what it says on the tin. Formulated with matcha to help neutralise free radicals, promote a radiant glow and prevent breakouts, this serum by Zelens is a must-have for any city dweller. Powered by an innovative blend of five different teas, it’ll keep those harmful pollutants away from your precious pores.
Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser
Powerful enough to purify your skin yet gentle enough to use twice daily, Youth To The People’s cleanser is an eco-conscious nutrient-rich formula that will provide your face with its five-a-day - and the rest. Boasting cold-pressed antioxidants, vitamins C, E, and K, and extracts of spinach, kale, and green tea, it will soothe irritated skin whilst boosting your skin’s natural barrier with essential fatty acids. This is the green juice cleanse for your face.
Ancient + Brave Matcha + Collagen
With the beauty editor's seal of approval, Ancient + Brave is the innovative collagen brand to know. The wellness label has combined its potent collagen supplement with matcha so you can cut down on your coffee consumption, boost energy levels and consume 2500mg of the nourishing hydrolysed peptide with every cuppa. There is also lion's mane mushrooms contained within the powdered formula, an adaptogenic component that is said to boost focus.
Alongside matcha, you will also find collagen with cacao, coffee or reishi blends that have a whole host of benefits ranging from stress relief to balancing blood sugar levels and so you can easily incorporate them into your daily routine.
Tatcha The Matcha Cleanser
Fragrance and soap-free, this wildly popular cleanser by the experts in Japanese skincare over at Tatcha transforms from a gel to foam within seconds for an ultra-clean yet effortlessly hydrated complexion. Formulated to decongest the pores without stripping the skin barrier, it’s powered by Japanese Kyo-Matcha and a selection of powerful BHA alternatives: Japanese Coix Seed (Hatomugi) & Willow Bark for exfoliation, as well as Japanese Mugwort (Yomogi) to support the skin barrier.
Laneige Matcha Bubble Tea Lip Sleeping Mask
The lip mask of the decade, you’ll struggle to come across a beauty buff who doesn’t have one of these little pots in their handbag. Though available in a myriad of shades and flavours, we’re partial to the matcha bubble tea option.
The non-sticky and instantly nourishing lip mask helps to alleviate dry, cracked lips through a unique berry fruit complex as well as coconut oil, murumuru butter, shea butter and vitamin C. It’s designed to deliver up to eight hours of hydration and comes with a handy applicator.
Hello Klean Nourishing Micronutrient Wash
Though this skincare hero does look exactly like a matcha latte, please don’t drink it. Hello Klean’s cult-favourite, matcha-powered micronutrient wash is also filled to the brim with hydration-boosting niacinamide, panthenol and microalgae.
KraveBeauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser 120ml
A TikTok-viral cleanser which lifts and removes the day away without causing any tightness or dryness, KraveBeauty’s Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser has a unique, bouncy, gel-like formula which instantly hydrates the skin. It’s packed full of powerful ingredients like vitamin B5, sodium PCA, omega-6, and omega-3.
Sephora Collection Fibre Face Mask Matcha Tea
A value-for-money, tired skin saviour, this sub-£4 face mask Sephora lifts, brightens and tightens within minutes. Formulated for all skin types, the sheet mask is imbued with coconut, matcha tea, lychee, watermelon, blueberry and lemon for superfood-powered, skin-perfecting radiance.
L'Occitane Raspberry & Matcha Green Tea Eau de Parfum
Whoever says scent isn’t part of skincare doesn’t understand the restorative power of a delectable aroma. Delicate and subtly fruity, this buildable fragrance by L’Occitane combines raspberry and matcha to deliver an almost musky scent with bergamot top notes.