9 ways to use a teabag in your beauty regime.

They’re good for more than just a cuppa.

Making an afternoon cuppa?

Step away from the garbage bin! I repeat, step away!

We are often hasty to toss the tea bag as soon as its fulfilled our drinking needs.

However, that little bag is loaded with amazing ingredients that will give your beauty regime a kick up the proverbial.

With a number of antioxidants, your skin and hair is about to look and feel tea-riffic!

Many nutrition experts will urge you to swap your afternoon java or diet soft drink for a cup of antioxidant-rich tea. But they’re not the only ones touting the drink’s benefits. Turns out, adding a little tea to your beauty routine can give your skin and hair a boost, too. If you choose to add a scone or two to the mix, well, we certainly won’t judge.

Facial spritzer.

No need to shell out for expensive water mists when you need a skin refresher. Just steep green tea leaves in room temp water for a couple hours, strain, grab a spray bottle and fill it up with your concoction. Spritz away whenever you could use a little antioxidant-infused pick-me-up.

Tooth treatment.

A 2009 study conducted at Kyushu University in Japan and published in the Journal of Periodontology found that people who sip green tea regularly have healthier gums and teeth than those who don't. In addition to drinking down a daily cup, mix tea leaves and baking soda into a paste when you’re running low on tooth paste and brush away. Or, brew a tea bag in one cup of water, let it cool and swish it around as a DIY mouthwash.

Eye de-puffer.

For days when your exhaustion is written all over your face, ease your under-eye puffiness by placing tea bags, which you have soaked in cold water, over your eye area for about 15-20 minutes; the chill will soothe eyes while the caffeine, which is often featured in de-puffing beauty products, might ease swelling. Use the time for a quick catnap while you’re at it.

Facial mask.

Next time you whip up your favourite DIY mask, try adding in a little white or green tea powder (you’ll find it at health food stores, or look for Matcha green tea powder at Asian markets). Both varieties were shown in a 2011 British study published in the Journal of Inflammation to help prevent the breakdown of collagen and elastin in skin cells. You can also just mix a bit of the powder with water into a paste. It will exfoliate, smooth and “wake up” your skin.

Hair shine enhancer.

The pigments in black tea can play up natural brunette highlights, which will make hair appear shinier. Chamomile tea will brighten subtle highlights for blondes. Rinse your locks with the appropriate cooled brewed tea, wrap it up in a towel and let it soak in for 20-30 minutes before rinsing again and styling as usual.

Facial toner.

For a simple toner, just wipe a brewed (and cooled) tea bag over your face and blot. Or, mix brewed tea with a little lemon and honey and spritz on or apply with a cotton ball. It should keep in the fridge for the next week.

Nail mender.

A chip doesn’t have to mean disaster. Cut out a small piece of your paper tea bag and, using nail glue, adhere it to the broken area. You can also start with a basecoat, and stick the tea bag on top, adding another coat on top. Trim the tea bag, file, paint and – voila! – #manimonday away on Instagram.

Exfoliating body scrub.

Brew a green tea bag in half a cup of water and allow it to cool. Then mix one part tea with three parts sugar (you can add honey, lemon, yogurt or other favorite ingredients if you please), and rub on your body in the shower as an exfoliator.

Facial cleaner.

Add a couple tablespoons of loose green tea to your regular creamy cleanser, stir it up and slather it on. Let it sit for five minutes to soften dead skin cells and then gently rub and rinse to buff them away.

What other home beauty tips do you have?

Now, CLICK THROUGH the gallery and discover what you can do with 8 baby products around your home.

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