Does Spearmint Work for Acne?

If you’ve been dealing with acne, you’ve likely tried everything under the sun. From double-cleansing to spot treatments to changing your pillowcase, after all those attempts, it can seem as if your struggle with acne is never-ending. And while you may have tried your fair share of skin care products in the hopes of achieving a clearer complexion, there’s one trendy option you may have never thought of: spearmint tea. That’s right! Spearmint tea has been creating quite the buzz on social media lately. Keep reading to learn more about spearmint tea and if it’s worth adding to your acne skin care routine.

WHAT IS SPEARMINT?

Let’s start with the basics. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), spearmint, also known as mentha spicata, has been widely used in herbal medicinal practices. Spearmint leaves are also popularly used to flavor tea. Per the NCBI, the fresh, dried plant and its essential oils are also commonly used in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. In fact, spearmint has quite a few biological properties and is sometimes used as an antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant agent. Speaking of…

HOW IS SPEARMINT TEA RELATED TO ACNE?

In order to understand why spearmint tea has become the talk of the beauty industry, allow us to give you a brief science lesson. See, the NCBI shares that one of the main causes of acne is excess sebum production. Androgens (hormone oil glands in your skin) can overproduce oils, which, in turn, can result in unwanted acne. Let’s dive a little deeper. The Cleveland Clinic explains that androgens are hormones in the female body that are produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands. Two androgens hormones that women produce are testosterone and DHEAS. When these hormones are not at a balance, women can experience, you guessed it—the bane of your existence—acne.

So how does spearmint tea come into play? In the search for ways to decrease androgen levels in the body, natural methods like herbs and plants—including spearmint—have been tested. Per the NCBI, spearmint is a known plant-derived anti-androgen, meaning it may help keep your hormone levels balanced.

CAN SPEARMINT TEA BENEFIT YOUR SKIN?

During a study from the NCBI, 41 volunteers were instructed to drink spearmint tea twice a day for 30 days and were compared to those drinking a placebo tea. The result? All of the women who drank the spearmint tea saw a major decrease in their testosterone levels. Could there be a connection to acne? When hormones are balanced, chances are that your glands won’t be overproducing oils, which in turn, could help keep isolated incidents of acne at bay. However, further research is needed.

HOW TO INCORPORATE SPEARMINT TEA INTO YOUR LIFE

Incorporating spearmint tea is pretty simple—not to mention quite tasty! Instead of rubbing your face with spearmint leaves or a DIY concoction, all you need is a mug and a tea bag. That’s it! Simply brew yourself a cup of spearmint tea if you want to put this trend to the test. Easy, right?

CAN SPEARMINT TEA IMPROVE THE APPEARANCE OF ACNE?

While spearmint tea may have its benefits for the body, whether it is safe and effective for the treatment of acne has not been proven and requires more research. Your best bet is to utilize a solid skin care routine with proven acne-fighting ingredients. We also recommend consulting with your doctor before trying out a new ingredient and getting their expert help to develop a safe and effective treatment plan for your acne.

Now that you know all about spearmint tea, why not explore how to create the best skin care routine for your skin? Check out our article, Your Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Skin Care Routines.