Herbal tea is quickly becoming the most powerful tool in your beauty kit. The power of herbs has been used to help keep the body healthy inside and out for a long time. Now a renewed focus is turning to using tea as part of a daily regimen to keep your hair long, lush and beautiful and your skin plump, healthy and rejuvenated.

You can drink teas, apply them to your skin or save the tea bags to fight tired eyes and more. But how do you choose which ones to focus on? We’ve come up with a handy list of the top 8 teas you should have in the cupboard to boost beauty.

1. Black tea

Known as an antioxidant powerhouse, this tea fights the free radicals that attack the body and cause it to look aged. In addition, it can boost your immune system and help you fight nasty viruses and colds.

This tea does double duty and can be applied to the face as a wash as well as serving as a great midday treat. The caffeine in black tea can help calm irritated skin and soothe sunburns when applied directly to the skin.

There is evidence in a study from Rutgers University that caffeine may lower the risk of skin cancer. All the more reason to stock up on black tea.

2. Chamomile tea

Chamomile’s mild flavor is a great way to ease into a tea routine if you’re new to steeped herbs. This caffeine-free treat has always been known as a sleep aid, as it soothes and relaxes.

Save the tea bag and you can get even more out of that cup of tea, place tea bags on your eyes to reduce puffiness and dash away redness.

Chamomile also has quercetin, a natural antioxidant, that is proven to reduce skin inflammation and protects the skin from harmful UV rays.

3. Green tea

Green tea is another sun-protector with catechins that protect the body from sun damage. As we all know, sun damage is a leading culprit in aged-looking skin and wrinkles.

Beyond appearance, too much sun exposure can cause skin cancer, so adding green tea to your diet will give you an added layer of defense against cancer.

4. Ginger tea

Ginger is a favorite when it comes to stomach ailments for its soothing and anti-inflammatory agents. Ginger ale is an old standby for stomach problems, and ginger tea is equally popular in parts of the world for the same reasons.

If you’re having digestive issues, you can also start to develop skin issues, which makes ginger tea your easy go-to.

5. Jasmine tea

Jasmine tea is an antiviral and an antibacterial powerhouse that gives your immune system a natural boost. It’s thought that jasmine tea reduces oil production and balances hormones in the body, which can help treat skin conditions like eczema and acne.

6. Lavender tea

The relaxing scent of lavender has been a favorite for a long time and it’s one of the most loved essential oils. But lavender tea has many benefits too. Lavender tea makes a fantastic hair wash that soothes an irritated scalp and fights fungal problems that can lead to dandruff.

In fact, many teas can be made into hair rinses, you can even try tea mixed with the benefits of apple cider vinegar.

7. Matcha tea

Rich in nutrients and famed as a detox aid, matcha tea is packed with antioxidants, chlorophyll, natural antibiotics and catechins. Powdered matcha is now a popular ingredient in face creams and lotions. You can reap the rewards by drinking this tea or using it as a face wash.

8. Rooibos tea

You may see rooibos tea also referred to as red bush tea. This is a well-known beauty aid in South Africa and is used to give you great-looking skin. The flavonoids in rooibos tea are credited with keeping eczema and acne under control.

This tea also has the superoxide dismutase, which fights signs of aging to keep your skin looking young and vibrant.

Final thoughts

Love the look of vibrant skin, lush hair and the feel of a healthy body? Then it’s time to start working tea into your daily beauty routine. Whether you’re going to use the tea as a wash, part of a mask, a hair rinse or go the old-fashioned route and drink it, you’re going to love the natural benefits.

Brew a pot of tea and then try working tea into your daily routine. If you don’t like the flavor, add spices and syrup or cream to get the flavor that appeals most to you. But don’t forget about the other uses. And don’t just throw out your leftover tea, use it in a variety of ways to get the best hair and skin results of your life.