Black Tea - Kitchen Cupboard Beauty Tips by Cait Johnson, Assistant Producer, Care2 Healthy Living Channels
Most of us know all about the health benefits--and
pleasures!--of drinking black tea, but what you may not know is
that tea is also a fabulous beauty aid. When applied to skin, its
strong antioxidants along with vitamins E and C fight the free
radicals that can cause premature aging. And tea is also an
astringent that will help with puffy eyes and blemishes, as well as
toning lips, perking up the complexion, highlighting hair, and
making our feet smell sweet. Plus its tannins are great at soothing
sunburns.
Find out all the fascinating ways that black tea can help you to
look and feel more beautiful, right here:
Quick Fix for Puffy Eyes and/or Dark Circles
Make two cups of tea as usual, using two teabags. Place
the used bags in the fridge. When needed, simply lie down and place
one teabag over each eye. Allow to remain for 10 to 20 minutes.
Blemish Control
Next time a blemish makes an unwelcome appearance, simply
place a warm teabag on it for several minutes. Remove the bag, but
don't rinse off the tea.
Simplest Astringent Ever
Just splash your face with warm or cool black tea and
don't rinse.
British Witch Astringent
Boil 1/4 cup water and add 2 teabags, steeping until cool.
Remove the teabags, then add 1/4 cup witch hazel. Pour into a clean
container and keep in refrigerator for up to 10 days. Soak a cotton
pad with this astringent and apply to clean skin as often as
needed.
Lip Toner
Tea will help your lips retain moisture and appear smooth:
just apply a warm teabag to clean lips for 5 minutes. Don't
rinse.
Sunburn Relief Compress or Bath
Boil 2 cups of water, add 4 teabags, and steep for one
hour. Refrigerate until cool. Soak a clean cloth or cotton ball
with the cool tea and apply to affected area, holding it in place
for 15 minutes. Do not rinse. Repeat up to four times a day.
OR--allow 5 or 6 teabags to steep in a tub of warm water. Soak in
the tub for 10 to 15 minutes.
Bug Bite Zapper
To reduce the swelling and itching of many insect bites,
just apply a cool used teabag to the affected area for several
minutes.
Highlighting Hair Rinse
This will also darken hair while it adds shine and pretty
highlights. Simply brew two cups of strong tea and use to rinse
damp shampooed hair.
Helpful Hints
Do be aware that very strong black tea can cause tan-like
staining of skin. (In fact, if you want a tan without sun exposure,
strong tea can give it to you!)
*Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and
shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter
or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may
react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended
that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions
carefully and test it first. Should you have any health
care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your
physician or other health care provider.
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