The Amazing Skin and Beauty Benefits of Drinking Tea

​We're nearly all partial to a cuppa, but while coffee has dominated our habit for the last decade, tea houses are the hot – and healthy – new hangouts. While we're not hating on a 'builders', when you're next choosing your brew consider swapping the English Breakfast for a less oxidised tea to reap the benefits for your skin.

From supressing stress to boosting energy levels and alleviating allergy symptoms, the reported health benefits of tea are endless. Here are some tips from Amanzi (our fave London tea house) on the best leaves to drink for your skin and how to use tea in your beauty regime. Sup it up.

Considered to be the champagne of the tea world, white tea is made from the buds of the tea plant and is the very first crop of leaves harvested each season. Light and delicate, it is the least oxidised tea, containing only a small amount of caffeine while being packed with antioxidants. Sourced from plants rich with nutrients, the antioxidant properties in white tea can reduce inflammation, which can help to lessen the appearance of lines and wrinkles, slowing down the natural ageing process. Visit any big beauty counter and you'll see a number of skin treats that list white tea as an anti-ageing ingredient.

If you're not a fan of white tea, then green tea is also a great option. This is slightly more oxidised than its white counterpart and ranges from mellow and floral to vegetal. High in antioxidants, minerals and vitamins, green tea fights UV damage to the skin, acts as a great hydrator and is famous for its detoxing properties. It contains half the caffeine content of black tea and is rich in catechins and polyphenols – two antioxidants that help to combat acne and ageing. The latest green tea craze is matcha, a finely ground powder made of whole green tea leaves. It's a great 'clean' energy booster and also helps to lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, PLUS support a reduction in bodily toxins meaning it's great for encouraging glowing skin. As well as drinking it, matcha can be used in many topical beauty treatments and is especially suitable for face masks.

Rooibos, or 'red tea', comes from a South African plant that is considered the perfect naturally caffeine-free alternative to green tea. Famed for its anti-ageing properties, rooibos is used in numerous cosmetic products including facial washes and cleansers. Amanzi's top tip is to spritz your skin with chilled rooibos to rehydrate and deliver antioxidants directly to your pores or use it to add colour to brunette hair or a light reddish tint to blondes.