This Underrated Tea May Be A+ For Stubborn Acne: What The Research Says

A derm once suggested I drink spearmint tea for stubborn acne. An organic brew, two cups a day—sip away for glowing skin. It almost sounds too good to be true, doesn't it? (Of course, the advice came alongside a targeted routine for my combination skin, but the added antioxidants don't hurt.)

"Spearmint has anti-inflammatory as well as antimicrobial properties, both of which can be helpful for treating acne," says board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.D. Specifically, the tea contains significant amounts of rosmarinic acid, a compound known for its anti-inflammatory and adaptogenic properties1, as well as natural flavonoids like limonene and menthol2. All types of acne stem from some sort of inflammation, so it makes sense that people might see success with this anti-inflammatory sip. 

Perhaps what's most intriguing about spearmint, though, is its potential anti-androgen properties: One randomized controlled trial found that when participants with PCOS consumed spearmint tea twice a day for one month, their total testosterone levels were significantly reduced compared to those who consumed a placebo herbal tea3. 

Here's the thing: The studies mentioned above, while promising, don't necessarily speak to acne in particular—we simply need more research to make the final call, even though the tea does have impressive anti-inflammatory compounds.

However, we also can't ignore the anecdotal evidence plastered online: "No longer is my entire jawline coated in a smorgasbord of deep, throbbing cysts and whiteheads," one Reddit user recounts. "I can actually lay my head down at night without it hurting. It's amazing to think I lived that way for so long, having never heard about spearmint as an option." You can find similar success stories peppered among the thread, with users seeing results anywhere from two weeks to two months.