Your Ultimate Guide: 7 Herbal Teas for Healthy Skin Plus Their Benefits

There’s something magical about fall that invites us to slow down, and cozy up with a good book, a soft blanket, and a steaming cup of hot herbal tea.

As the leaves begin to transform and the air turns crisp, it’s a reminder that much like nature, skin also has its own cycles.

What if that soothing herbal tea could offer more than comfort but also revitalize your troubled skin from within?

As you watch the steam circle upwards, remember this isn’t just a cup of tea. It’s a seasonal self-care ritual that supports your skin’s health.

Your skin not only represents beauty—it’s an indicator of your overall health and well-being.

While serums and moisturizers are common go-to solutions, nature offers us a treasure chest of remedies we can use as herbal teas.

As a naturopathic doctor and advocate of natural skincare, my holistic approach includes medicinal teas for healthy skin.

Ready to go beyond your usual skincare routine and nurture your skin from within? Keep reading to discover seven herbal teas that are as comforting to your soul as they are beneficial for your skin. These teas come packed with nutritional benefits that support your health and wellness.

Ancient Solutions for Modern Skin

Herbal teas have been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. These infusions are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. They provide a way to improve your skin’s health, naturally, from the inside out.

I’m excited to share this handpicked list of seven medicinal teas offering more than just comfort in a cup. Each of these teas offers unique benefits that can support your skin’s health and appearance, from detoxifying to hormone-balancing.

One or more of these herbal teas will find a permanent spot in your self-care routine. Let’s begin our exploration with seven of the best teas for healthy skin.

7 Medicinal Teas for Healthy Skin

These seven teas are well known for their skin-supporting properties. Plus, they’re absolutely delicious! So, let’s start with spearmint tea.

1. Spearmint Tea

Spearmint tea is made from the leaves of the spearmint plant and is known for its refreshing and mildly sweet flavor. The term “mint” originates in Greek mythology, originating from Minthe, a nymph transformed into the mint plant by the Greek goddess, Persephone.

How spearmint benefits the skin: A 2010 study demonstrated and confirmed that spearmint herbal tea has significant anti-androgen (counteracts the effect of male sex hormones) effects. It helps lessen excessive hair growth in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).1

2. Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is a flowering plant in the daisy family, known for its delicate, apple-like aroma and flavor. In ancient Egypt, it was believed to be a gift from the Sun God, Ra.

How chamomile benefits the skin: Chamomile flowers have oils and compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties. A study showed that these beneficial substances in chamomile can penetrate beneath the skin’s surface to deeper layers, demonstrating how chamomile could be an effective topical solution for reducing inflammation.2

3. Green Tea

Green tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Known for its earthy and grassy flavor, green tea is rich in antioxidants and other beneficial compounds. This skin-loving tea originates from ancient China and is a popular coffee substitute due to its lower levels of caffeine.

How green tea benefits the skin: Recent research suggests that compounds in green tea can protect your skin from sun damage, help lighten skin, reduce wrinkles, and make skin look younger by boosting collagen and elastin, which are proteins that keep the skin firm.3

Additionally, green tea may be helpful for acne treatment due to its ability to reduce oil production in skin cells and combat inflammation and growth of acne-causing bacteria.

4. Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus tea is an infusion made from the calyx and dried petals of the Hibiscus sabdariffa plant. The tea is notable for its vivid red hue and tart cranberry taste. Rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, it’s consumed globally for its health benefits.

In hot climates like Egypt and Sudan, hibiscus tea, known as Karkade, is highly valued for its thirst-quenching abilities.

How Hibiscus benefits the skin: A research study showed the extract of the Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx could be a natural way to keep your skin looking young. It helps keep collagen levels up, making skin stay firm, and reducing skin darkening from sun exposure. Overall, it acts as a natural antioxidant with anti-aging benefits.4

5. Licorice Root Tea

Licorice tea is an herbal infusion made from the root of the licorice plant, Glycyrrhiza glabra. It has a naturally sweet, anise-like flavor. The first recorded use of licorice as a medicine in Europe comes from ancient Greek sources, and the name also comes from the Greek words for “sweet” and “root.”

How licorice root benefits the skin: Glabridin, a compound in licorice, acts as an antioxidant, fights inflammation, and even helps to lighten the skin. It’s already used in topical products designed to reduce skin pigmentation.

Modern studies show licorice root can protect the skin from damage caused by stress, speed up the healing process at the site of a wound, and even help reduce symptoms of the skin condition eczema.5

6. Ginger Tea

Ginger, celebrated for its spicy aroma and flavor, shares a plant family with cardamom and turmeric. The name “ginger” is steeped in history, tracing back to the ancient Sanskrit word srngaveram, which refers to its horn-like appearance. Interestingly, unlike some other spices, ginger doesn’t grow in the wild, leaving its true origins shrouded in mystery.

How ginger benefits the skin: Ginger extract has been shown to counteract an anti-aging enzyme and preserve the skin’s elasticity in animal studies. A study also found that people who used a body cream made with ginger oil for a month showed fewer signs of skin aging, possibly due to the plant’s antioxidant properties.6

7. Dandelion Root Tea

Dandelion root tea is an herbal infusion made from the roots of the dandelion plant. The tea has a slightly bitter, earthy taste and is rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A, C, B, and D, as well as calcium and potassium minerals.

The first documented evidence of dandelion being used for medicinal purposes is traced back to the 10th and 11th centuries, but its use is thought to extend back even further to the time of Ancient Rome.7

Dandelion root benefits the skin: Dandelion root is one of the most effective detoxifying herbs. It works on the liver and gallbladder to help remove waste products. It also stimulates the kidneys to remove toxins in the urine. Dandelion root’s detoxifying properties support skin issues such as acne, eczema and psoriasis.8

Begin Your Journey to Healthy Skin

Your journey toward glowing skin can be as effortless as enjoying a daily cup of your favorite herbal tea.

I encourage you to choose a tea or two and make it part of your daily, self-care ritual. Let them nourish and rejuvenate your skin, from the inside out.

Curious how herbal medicine can offer a holistic solution to your skin and hormone problems? I invite you to schedule a 15-minute introductory call with me today.

As a naturopathic doctor specializing in women’s health and hormones, it’s my mission to empower you with the knowledge and holistic tools necessary for making well-informed decisions.

These choices will elevate your skin’s health and contribute to your overall health and wellness. I’m excited to be a part of your journey toward achieving the clear, vibrant skin you dream of!