Can Tea Cause Facial Flushing? What You Need to Know

November 14, 2025 •

4 min read

A 2021 study in Acta Dermato-Venereologica revealed that high-frequency hot tea consumption is related to rosacea and affects flushing. This suggests that for some individuals, tea can cause facial flushing, particularly when consumed hot.

Quick Summary

The heat from hot tea is a known trigger for facial flushing, especially for those with rosacea, by dilating blood vessels. Caffeine and other compounds can also contribute.

Key Points

Heat Is the Primary Trigger: The temperature of hot tea causes vasodilation, increasing blood flow to the face and causing redness.
Rosacea Patients Are More Susceptible: Individuals with rosacea frequently cite hot beverages like tea as a trigger for flare-ups.
Caffeine Plays a Secondary Role: High caffeine intake can stimulate the nervous system and increase cortisol, contributing to skin sensitivity and flushing.
Tannins Can Cause Sensitivity: Some individuals may have a sensitivity to tannins in tea, which can trigger an inflammatory response leading to flushing.
Switch to Iced or Cool Tea: The simplest and most effective way to prevent flushing from tea is to let it cool down or drink it iced.

Understanding Facial Flushing

Facial flushing is the temporary reddening of the skin on the face, neck, or chest, caused by an increased blood flow to these areas. It can be triggered by a variety of factors, including emotions, exercise, temperature changes, and certain foods or drinks. For many people, a cup of hot tea is a comforting daily ritual, but for others, it can lead to an uncomfortable and unwanted flushing reaction. This article will delve into the specific reasons why this happens and what you can do about it.

The Role of Temperature: Heat is the Main Trigger

For individuals prone to flushing, particularly those with rosacea, the primary culprit in hot tea is not the tea itself, but its temperature. Heat causes vasodilation, the widening of blood vessels, which increases blood flow to the skin and creates a flushed appearance. Studies have demonstrated that drinking hot water can cause the same flushing reaction as hot coffee or tea, while lukewarm or cool versions of these drinks do not.

How Hot Drinks Affect the Skin

Vasodilation: The simple act of consuming a hot beverage raises your internal body temperature, signaling the blood vessels in your face to dilate to help cool the body down. This process is more pronounced in people with sensitive skin or conditions like rosacea.
Overactive Immune System: Research has indicated that people with rosacea may have a more sensitive skin immune system, and temperature changes act as a stimulus that causes an inflammatory response, leading to redness and flushing.

The Impact of Caffeine and Other Compounds

While heat is the main factor, other compounds in tea can also play a role in triggering flushing for some people. The impact is often more significant with high or frequent consumption.

Caffeine

Caffeine is a stimulant that can affect your nervous system and circulation. In high doses, it can increase heart rate and cortisol (the stress hormone), which can worsen skin sensitivity and lead to flushing. This effect is distinct from the temperature-induced vasodilation, though they can act in combination. It is worth noting, however, that some studies show conflicting results regarding caffeine's direct link to rosacea risk, with some suggesting moderate consumption is not problematic.

Tannins

Tannins are plant-based compounds found in tea that can cause sensitivity in some individuals. An intolerance to tannins can trigger an immune response, causing symptoms similar to a mild allergic reaction, including skin issues. If you experience symptoms after drinking black tea but not herbal teas, a tannin sensitivity might be a factor.

The Rosacea Connection

For people with rosacea, tea is a frequently reported trigger for flare-ups. Rosacea patients often have a heightened sensitivity to a range of stimuli, and hot beverages are a common trigger. A 2021 study involving over 1,200 participants with and without rosacea found that high-frequency (three or more times daily) and hot tea consumption were associated with an increased risk of flushing. The study concluded that patients with rosacea should consider reducing the frequency of daily tea intake, especially hot tea, to manage symptoms.

What You Can Do to Prevent Flushing from Tea

If you find that tea causes you to flush, there are several strategies you can employ to enjoy your favorite brew without the side effects:

Let it cool: The simplest solution is to allow your tea to cool to a lukewarm or room temperature before drinking it.
Go iced: Switching to iced tea completely removes the thermal trigger.
Moderate your intake: If you're a high-frequency tea drinker, especially of hot varieties, reducing your daily consumption might help mitigate flushing.
Switch to lower-caffeine options: Try herbal teas, which are naturally caffeine-free, or decaffeinated versions if you suspect caffeine is a contributing factor.
Keep a diary: Track your tea consumption (temperature, type, frequency) and note when flushing occurs to help identify your specific triggers.

Comparison Table: Hot Tea vs. Iced Tea for Flushing


Feature	Hot Tea	Iced Tea
Primary Trigger	The heat is a known cause of vasodilation.	Eliminates the thermal trigger.
Body Temperature	Raises internal body temperature, promoting vasodilation.	Has a cooling effect on the body.
Caffeine Effect	Same caffeine content (unless decaf), which can be a secondary trigger.	Same caffeine content, but without the additional heat stimulus.
Rosacea Impact	More likely to trigger flare-ups in rosacea patients due to heat.	Much less likely to cause a rosacea flare-up related to temperature.
Tannins	Present in black and green teas; can be a factor for sensitive individuals.	Same tannin content, but no heat amplification.
Recommendation for Flushers	Consume with caution; let it cool significantly.	Safe alternative to avoid temperature-induced flushing.

Conclusion

While many enjoy tea without issue, it is a proven trigger for facial flushing in susceptible individuals, particularly those with rosacea. The effect is predominantly caused by the thermal heat of the beverage, which dilates blood vessels in the face. Additional factors like caffeine and tannins can also contribute to skin sensitivity and redness. By letting your tea cool, opting for iced versions, or moderating your intake, you can likely enjoy your favorite brew while minimizing or eliminating the flushing response. As with any chronic skin condition, consulting with a dermatologist can help provide a personalized management plan. You can find more information on rosacea triggers and management at the website of the National Rosacea Society.

Frequently Asked Questions

For most people, especially those with rosacea, the heat is the primary trigger for facial flushing. Studies show that drinking hot water causes a similar reaction to hot tea, while caffeine at room temperature does not cause flushing. However, high doses of caffeine can also contribute by stimulating the nervous system.

Facial flushing from hot tea is not typically an allergic reaction but rather a response to the heat and vasodilation. However, some individuals with a sensitivity to tannins or other tea components might experience skin issues, which is distinct from a severe allergy.

Yes, switching to iced tea is a very effective way to prevent temperature-induced flushing. Since the primary trigger is the thermal heat, eliminating it removes the cause of the vasodilation and subsequent redness.

Herbal teas can still cause flushing if they are consumed hot, due to the thermal effect. However, because most herbal teas are caffeine-free and may contain fewer tannins, they are less likely to trigger flushing than hot black tea for individuals sensitive to those compounds.

While green tea contains antioxidants, both green and black tea can cause flushing if they are served hot. The impact depends more on the individual's sensitivity to heat, caffeine, and specific compounds like tannins.

The duration of facial flushing varies but usually lasts a few minutes to an hour. The redness should subside once your body's temperature has regulated and the blood vessels have returned to their normal state.

If you experience flushing even with cool or iced tea, it could be related to a sensitivity to caffeine or tannins, which can still cause a reaction regardless of temperature. In this case, switching to a caffeine-free herbal option might be a better choice.