Green tea has long been touted for its weight loss promoting properties, but recent scientific evidence suggests that the health benefits of green tea are not limited to weight loss benefits; green tea may also be helpful for treating acne and other skin conditions. A specific polyphenol found in green tea (the so-called (-)epigallocatechin-3-gallate) has been shown to modulate the production and actions of androgens and other hormones. Consequently, it has been hypothesized it could be useful for the treatment of hormone-related acne breakouts. Green tea is also thought to have anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties, which may help improve acne. To maximize the release of the (-)epigallocatechin-3-gallate, choose loose tea leaves instead of tea bags and let the tea steep for five minutes.