Which Type of Tea is Best for Acne? A Complete Guide

November 4, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2015 study published in Phytotherapy Research, drinking spearmint tea twice daily significantly reduced acne symptoms in women with hormonal acne. The best type of tea for acne depends on the root cause of your breakouts, with different blends offering unique benefits for calming inflammation, balancing hormones, and fighting bacteria.

Quick Summary

Different teas offer targeted benefits for clearer skin by fighting inflammation, regulating hormones, and providing antioxidants. Compare green, spearmint, and rooibos tea properties to determine the most effective natural option for your acne concerns.

Key Points

Green Tea: Rich in EGCG, green tea is highly effective for reducing inflammation, controlling excess sebum production, and fighting acne-causing bacteria.
Spearmint Tea: Ideal for hormonal acne, especially in women, due to its anti-androgenic properties that help regulate hormones like testosterone.
Rooibos Tea: A caffeine-free, antioxidant-rich option with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, making it excellent for sensitive or inflamed skin.
Chamomile Tea: Known for its calming effects, chamomile is beneficial for stress-related acne and offers anti-inflammatory and antibacterial benefits.
Topical vs. Internal Use: Both drinking tea and applying it topically offer benefits, but internal consumption addresses systemic issues while topical application targets localized inflammation.
Holistic Approach: Tea is most effective when combined with a healthy diet, stress management, and a consistent skincare routine tailored to your specific needs.

Acne is a common skin condition caused by a combination of factors, including excess sebum production, clogged pores, bacteria, and inflammation. While many treatments exist, natural remedies like tea have gained popularity for their potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Understanding which type of tea is best for acne involves looking at the specific compounds each brew contains and how they address the underlying issues of breakouts.

Green Tea: The Antioxidant Powerhouse

Green tea is one of the most widely recognized teas for skin health, and for good reason. Its high concentration of polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), gives it powerful therapeutic properties. EGCG is known for its ability to reduce sebum production, fight inflammation, and inhibit the growth of acne-causing bacteria. This makes green tea an excellent choice for individuals with oily, inflamed, or bacterial acne.

How to Use Green Tea for Acne

Drinking: For internal benefits, aim to drink 2-3 cups of high-quality green tea daily. Opt for loose-leaf or organic options to ensure maximum purity and potency.
Topical Application: To target acne directly, apply cooled green tea as a toner using a cotton pad or create a face mask with green tea leaves mixed with a natural binder like honey.

Spearmint Tea: A Solution for Hormonal Acne

For those who experience acne linked to hormonal fluctuations, spearmint tea is a particularly effective remedy. Studies have shown its anti-androgenic effects, which help to reduce levels of male hormones like testosterone that can stimulate excess oil production. A study found that drinking two cups of spearmint tea daily significantly reduced acne lesions in women with hormonal acne over three months, without causing side effects like some prescription medications.

Who Benefits from Spearmint Tea?

Adult women with hormonal breakouts, especially around the jawline.
Individuals with conditions like PCOS, which are associated with elevated androgen levels.

Rooibos Tea: The Calming, Anti-inflammatory Choice

Rooibos, or red bush tea, is a caffeine-free herbal tea packed with antioxidants like aspalathin and nothofagin. These compounds help protect skin cells from damage and have potent anti-inflammatory properties, making rooibos tea beneficial for soothing inflamed acne lesions. Its antibacterial effects also help keep skin clear, while its gentle nature is suitable for sensitive skin types prone to irritation.

Using Rooibos for Skin

Drinking: Enjoy several cups a day, either hot or cold, to help calm inflammation and support overall skin health.
Topical: Use cooled rooibos tea as a soothing compress or wash to reduce redness and irritation.

Chamomile Tea: The Stress-Relief Elixir

Since stress can be a major trigger for acne breakouts, chamomile tea offers a unique benefit by promoting relaxation and calming the nervous system. Beyond its soothing effects, chamomile also possesses anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that directly combat acne-causing factors. It can help reduce the redness and swelling of pimples, making it a valuable addition to your routine, especially if your breakouts are stress-induced.

Benefits of Chamomile

Stress Reduction: The calming effects can help prevent cortisol-related breakouts.
Anti-inflammatory: Soothes irritated skin and reduces redness.
Antibacterial: Helps fight bacteria that contribute to acne.

A Comparison of Teas for Acne


Feature	Green Tea	Spearmint Tea	Rooibos Tea	Chamomile Tea
Best for...	Oily, inflamed, and bacterial acne	Hormonal acne	Sensitive and inflamed skin	Stress-related acne
Key Properties	Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-androgenic, antimicrobial (EGCG)	Anti-androgenic (Reduces testosterone levels)	Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant (Aspalathin, Nothofagin), antibacterial	Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, calming
Primary Action	Reduces sebum, fights bacteria, lowers inflammation	Regulates hormones	Soothes and protects skin from oxidative stress	Reduces stress and associated inflammation
Caffeine Content	Contains caffeine	Caffeine-free	Caffeine-free	Caffeine-free
Usage Methods	Drink & Topical Application	Drink	Drink & Topical Application	Drink & Topical Application
Research Support	Strong evidence for EGCG's effects	Promising studies on hormonal acne	Evidence for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action	Traditional use, calming and anti-inflammatory properties documented

How to Choose the Best Tea for Your Skin

To select the most suitable tea, consider the specific triggers for your acne. If you have oily skin and redness, green tea's sebum-reducing and anti-inflammatory effects might be most beneficial. For women experiencing breakouts during their menstrual cycle or those with PCOS, spearmint tea is a targeted solution for hormonal imbalances. If stress is a significant factor, the calming properties of chamomile tea can be particularly helpful. For general inflammation and sensitive skin, caffeine-free rooibos tea offers a gentle yet effective approach. Many people find success by combining different teas or using a holistic approach that includes diet, stress management, and a consistent skincare routine.

The Importance of a Holistic Approach

While tea can be a powerful component of an acne-fighting strategy, it is not a cure-all. For best results, integrate tea consumption with other healthy habits.

Diet: Reduce consumption of high-glycemic foods and dairy, which can exacerbate acne.
Stress Management: Incorporate relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing to complement the calming effects of teas like chamomile.
Professional Advice: Consider consulting a dermatologist, especially if your acne is severe, as they can provide personalized advice and medical treatments.

For more information on the impact of green tea on skin, Healthline provides an insightful resource on its benefits for acne and other skin conditions.

Conclusion

The question of which type of tea is best for acne has multiple answers, as the ideal choice depends on the specific cause of an individual's breakouts. Green tea, with its EGCG content, is excellent for fighting inflammation and controlling oil. Spearmint tea is a targeted option for women with hormonal acne due to its anti-androgenic properties. Meanwhile, rooibos provides a gentle, antioxidant-rich solution for sensitive skin, and chamomile helps manage stress-related breakouts. By understanding your skin's unique needs, you can effectively incorporate these natural remedies into a holistic wellness routine to promote clearer, healthier skin from the inside out.

Frequently Asked Questions

The timeframe varies depending on the individual and the type of tea. Some people report noticing improvements in a few weeks, while clinical studies on spearmint tea for hormonal acne showed significant results after three months of consistent use.

Both methods offer distinct benefits. Drinking tea works from the inside out to balance hormones, reduce inflammation, and provide antioxidants. Applying cooled tea topically can soothe irritated skin and provide antibacterial effects directly to breakouts.

While uncommon, some individuals may experience an initial breakout or sensitivity. For most, green tea's properties are beneficial for acne. It's important to use high-quality, pure tea and to monitor your skin's reaction when introducing it to your routine.

For hormonal acne, pure spearmint tea made from the leaves of the Mentha spicata plant is the most effective. Look for organic, high-quality options and ensure it is not a blend containing other mints.

Most herbal and green teas can be used topically after cooling. However, stick to teas known for their skin benefits like green, chamomile, and rooibos. Always do a patch test first to ensure no adverse reaction occurs, and avoid adding potentially irritating ingredients like lemon or baking soda.

For most people, drinking tea in moderate amounts is safe. However, excessive consumption of caffeinated teas like green tea can cause restlessness. Some reports suggest excessive spearmint tea might affect hormone levels or liver health, but consistent, moderate intake is generally safe. Always consult a doctor if you have concerns or underlying health conditions.

Pairing tea with a healthy diet (low-glycemic, anti-inflammatory), managing stress through exercise or meditation, getting adequate sleep, and maintaining a consistent, gentle skincare routine can significantly improve skin clarity.