Are Tea Bags on Your Face Good for Pimples?

Acne is common in teens and young adults: About 80 percent of them have pimples at some time. It starts when glands under the skin create too much oil and clog the pores. Genetics, hormones and stress all play a role, and while fatty foods and chocolate are no longer blamed, too much sugar might be involved. Too-frequent face washing and scrubbing can make things worse.

Sipping chamomile tea might alleviate the stress factor, but cooling the tea bags themselves and placing them on the zits -- while touted as a remedy -- hasn't been scientifically shown to have benefits. One online recipe for a facial mask suggests steeping tea made with three green tea bags and boiling water for an hour and then chilling the tea in the refrigerator. Mix the chilled tea with sugar and a little lemon juice and then apply it to your face and neck for 15 minutes. Dermatologist Doris Day, in an article for CNN, says citrus juice can irritate the skin. She suggests white tea for the antioxidants and honey for its wound-healing properties.

If you're bothered by acne outbreaks, keep your skin clean. Gently wash once or twice a day and try over-the-counter remedies with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Check with a dermatologist for other available treatments.