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Proactiv Green Tea Moisturizer Review

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Anybody with acne-prone skin knows that the temptation to skip your daily moisturizer is all too real. The argument seems logical. I have oily skin that is giving me acne, so if I stop adding moisture to my already oil-rich face, I will cure my acne. The problem is that it’s not moisture that’s causing your skin to be a hot, oily mess.

Your skin is actually overproducing its own oils, and if you stop moisturizing then what you didn’t think was possible will inevitably occur: your skin will start producing more oil to make up for all that ‘lost’ hydration. Definitely not ideal. That’s where acne-fighting moisturizers come in. Proactiv’s Green Tea Moisturizer is an oil-free moisturizer formulated to fight acne from the root.

Continuing to moisturize as part of your daily skincare routine is essential for balancing your natural oil production and protecting your skin from external elements. Focusing on ingredients rather than tossing out complete products is a much more effective way of aiding your acne-prone skin.  When it comes to ingredients that will really solve the problem from the root and not just cover up the symptoms, natural substances are the way to go. With this in mind, I decided to take a look at the numerous skin benefits of the underdog of natural skincare: green tea.

The Benefits Of Green Tea For Skin Explained

A cup of green tea.

Green tea has tons of benefits for your skin.

The list of the benefits of green tea for skin goes on and on. Like many natural products, it’s not just about ingesting this superfood- it can also be applied topically for quick results. There are three main benefits of green tea that make it a great anti-acne treatment, and they’re the holy trinity of ‘anti’s’: antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory.

Antioxidant

Green tea contains EGCG, which is a strong antioxidant that fights DNA damage. It is also a powerful anti-aging ingredient. The fact that green tea is loaded with Vitamin B2 and Vitamin E also makes it essential for your skin’s health. It supports new cell growth and combats free radicals. These antioxidant properties mean that green tea cleans and hydrates your skin from within whilst simultaneously restoring your skin’s collagen production. And this leaves you with a healthy, firm glow.

Antimicrobial

Anybody who suffers from acne knows the importance of using any ingredient that is an antimicrobial. Polyphenols in green tea damage bacterial membranes, meaning that green tea is the enemy of the bacteria that cause acne. What’s more is that green tea balances your skin’s oil production. So unlike other harsh skin-cleansing ingredients, it works with your skin to even out your complexion. This means it targets the root of the problem, not just the symptom on its own.

Anti-Inflammatory

The high content of catechins found in green tea means this substance has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. These catechins reduce irritation, swelling and overall redness that comes with acne-prone skin. The tannins in green tea also act as astringents, shrinking your pores and reducing the ability of bacteria to get under the skin. Your skin will be left smoother and calmer with this dynamic brew that is green tea.

Proactiv Green Tea Moisturizer Ingredients Breakdown

macadamia nut oil benefits for health

Macadamia nut oil.

Green Tea

A moisturizer that has picked up on green tea’s multitude of skin benefits is Proactiv’s Green Tea Moisturizer. It’s lightweight, non-comedogenic and is rich in minerals and botanical extracts. The obvious champion on the list of ingredients is green tea EGCG (surprise!). It fights those free radicals with powerful antioxidants, leaving your skin clean and clear. It reduces inflammation and removes bacteria to soothe the skin whilst battling acne from the core.

Macadamia Nut Oil

Another interesting substance in Proactiv’s Green Tea moisturizer is macadamia nut oil extract. This extract is designed to soften the skin and lock in that much-needed moisture your dry skin is craving. It contains oleic acid to balance the sebum production in oily skin, creating a natural protective barrier. If you want moisture without clogging your pores (acne sufferers- this one’s for you!), then you can’t go wrong with macadamia nut oil.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid was the ingredient that I was most excited to see in this green tea moisturizer. It is water-binding and water-attracting, which means that it gives your skin that real moisture it’s looking for. This helps balance your skin’s oil production, reducing the excess production of the sebum that causes acne in the first place.

Dimethicone

Dimethicone was the only fatal flaw I could find on the Proactiv Green Tea Moisturizer ingredients list. It has moisture-trapping properties which make it a great ingredient in a moisturizer, but it is a surprising choice for an anti-acne one. While dimethicone creates a moisture barrier, it can also trap in oils, sebum and other impurities. It’s not the worst ingredient for a moisture boost, but it is an interesting choice nonetheless.  

Proactiv Green Tea Moisturizer Review And Results Explained

Woman wearing glasses and smiling.

Proactiv’s Green Tea Moisturizer is very light on skin.

Because this moisturizer is not oil-based, it’s more like a gel formula than your regular cream. And the gel-like consistency means that a little goes a long way with Proactiv’s Green Tea Moisturizer. It applies smoothly to the face and is light enough that it doesn’t sit on the skin. Due to this lightness, I would be weary of using it as my only moisturizer during the harsh winter months. Although, having said that, this might be where the dimethicone comes in to create a barrier against those more extreme weather conditions.

It does not have a heavy fragrance, which is always a good sign when it comes to acne-reducing moisturizers. Your skin is sensitive enough as it is, you don’t want extra irritants getting in the way. This, combined with that fact that it’s oil-based, means it can double as a primer under your everyday makeup. It feels like you’re really hydrating your skin rather than just creating a moisture layer that sits on top of the epidermis.

The oil-balancing ingredients like macadamia nut oil and hyaluronic acid moisturize your skin without the extra sebum. This means that the green tea is really able to do its job on the skin. With such a powerhouse of benefits, your complexion is bound to look clearer and calmer.

DIY Green Tea Moisturizer Recipe And Guide

Girl sitting in chair with arms behind her head.

You can try making your own green tea moisturizer at home.

Whenever I see a new product that I like, the first thing I want to know is if I can make it myself. We often don’t realize the amount of harmful chemicals going into our skin care products. It sounds counterintuitive, I know – what do you mean, the cream I’m applying to help my skin is harming me? The truth is, our bloodstream eventually absorbs most of what we put on our skin. This includes preservatives and other chemicals. With this in mind, why not try making your own green tea moisturizer from the safety of your own kitchen? Just try this DIY green tea moisturizer recipe and guide.

Melt 2 tbsp of coconut oil, 3 tbsp of almond oil and ½ tsp of Vitamin E oil with 1 tbsp of wax. Pour the contents of 2 green tea sachets into the mixture while the oils are still on the heat. Leave for 15 minutes before straining through a cheese cloth. Once you’ve strained the mixture, you can add a blend of your favorite essential oils.

Seeing as we want to target acne in this case, add a couple drops of tea tree oil mixed with lavender oil. Tea tree oil is known for its purifying antibacterial properties, and lavender oil soothes the skin from within to reduce redness and irritation. Use an electric beater to whip the strained liquid into a cream until it reaches room temperature.

Store your cream in a cool, dry place. Other at-home remedies have a shorter shelf life due to their lack of preservatives. Yet this cream’s richness in healthy oils means that you can use it without worry. I find that this cream is pretty heavy, so I would use it as a night cream for best results.

Conclusion

The abundant benefits of green tea are irrefutable. Many natural ingredients that are commonly ingested have little known uses when applied topically on the skin. Green tea is one such ingredient that Proactiv saw the uses of and maximized its potential for acne treatment. Polyphenols reduce inflammation and fight bacteria, while the antioxidant properties clean the skin from within.

With that being said, drugstore skin care products will inevitably contain some of those ingredients that you (ironically) don’t want on your skin. If we only knew the damage they could potentially cause, we would religiously read ingredient labels and filter what we buy. That’s where the beauty of DIY comes in. You get less of the harmful chemicals, and you can tailor your moisturizer to you own specific needs!  

The bottom line is, if you’re looking for a moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated and balance your acne-prone skin, then Proactiv Green Tea’s moisturizer is a good place start. Bu if you want to take your natural remedy to the next level, then why not try making your own green tea cream? Whichever one you choose, the truth is out: green tea is not just a healthy infusion to sip on– try it on your skin and see!