Creams containing benzoyl peroxide have helped clear up acne for many sufferers but prolonged use can bring about dry skin red from irritation.
Green tea has been shown to offer similar skin clearing abilities without the side effect of irritation from prolonged use.
A study reported in the American Academy of Dermatology that a topical cream of 3% green tea extract produced similar results as a cream containing 4% Benzoyl Peroxide.
The study concludes green tea appears to be an effective topical treatment for acne.
However, some believe that drinking green tea is better than a topical application since the benefits are limited to where it is applied.
They point to green tea's reported ability to support hormonal balance which may be helpful in reducing the number or severity of acne breakouts going forward.
Popular green tea regimens for acne include drinking as many as 8 cups of green tea a day until the affected skin areas clear.
Those regimens usually call for fresh brewing without adding sweetener since it is believed preservatives and sugar can interfere with green tea's beneficial qualities.
Though green tea is said be a pleasant beverage, to improve the taste without adding a sweetener, many use other flavorings such as adding lemon or orange slices either during or after brewing.
Many teas including green tea can contain significant levels of fluoride or aluminum.
If this is a concern there are green tea extracts that claim to be fluoride free or at least only contain insignificant trace amounts.
The green tea extracts are also convenient because brewing the tea is not necessary; one just adds drops of the extract to water.
Other research supports the conclusion that green tea demonstrates an antibacterial effect topically.
Green tea has been used for centuries by traditional healers for a variety of purposes.
Green tea and black tea actually come from the same plant (Camellia sinensis).
Green tea is produced when young healthy leaves are harvested from this plant and lightly steamed to keep their green color and preserve their beneficial phytochemicals.
Blacktea leaves are produced by over fermenting the leaves which changes their color from green to black, allowing much of the plant's phytochemicals to be rendered ineffective.
Green tea is the second herbal acne treatment gaining acceptance by mainstream medicine as effective.
Study results reported in 1990 showed that both a 5% tea-tree oil gel and a 5% benzoyl peroxide lotion had significant effects in improving the condition of acne by reducing the number and severity of inflamed and non-inflamed lesions.
Researchers noted that although the beneficial action of tea tree oil took more time, study participants reported fewer side effects from its use.
It is estimated 40 million suffer with acne and many use antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid to treat the condition.
Other treatment methods attempt to combine diets with various oral and topical treatments in the belief that certain foods or eating patterns may affect the frequency and severity of acne breakouts.