Pu-erh Tea and Skin: What We Can and Can't Say

Many articles online promise that drinking pu-erh tea will give you glowing skin. We want to be straightforward: pu-erh is a tea, not a skincare treatment, and drinking it won't treat acne, wrinkles or any other skin condition. If you have a skin concern, a doctor or dermatologist is the right person to ask.

What we can do is explain what pu-erh actually is, where the skin claims come from, and how a cup of Pu Erh Tea can fit into a calm daily routine.

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Pu-erh is a post-fermented tea from Yunnan, China. For centuries it was pressed into cakes and bricks and carried along the Tea Horse Road, where it was traded for horses and drunk daily by Tibetan herders. Today it is enjoyed around the world for its deep, earthy flavor and the way it changes with age.

What is Pu Erh Tea?

Pu-erh tea comes from Yunnan province in southwest China and is named after the town of Pu'er, a historic tea-trading center. Because compressed pu-erh keeps well and changes slowly over time, it is often compared to wine: well-stored tea develops new aromas as it ages.

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Pu-erh is made from the leaves and buds of Camellia sinensis, the same plant used for green, black and oolong tea. The leaves are withered, pan-fired, rolled and sun-dried. From there, two styles are made: raw pu-erh (sheng), which is pressed and left to age slowly, and ripe pu-erh (shou), which goes through a controlled microbial fermentation called wo dui, or wet piling, before pressing.

Where the Skin Claims Come From

Tea leaves contain polyphenols such as catechins, along with caffeine and the amino acid theanine. Because these compounds are studied in laboratories, their names often appear in beauty marketing, and claims about tea and skin spread quickly online.

A compound being present in tea leaves, or being tested on cells in a lab, is not the same as a cup of tea doing something for your skin. We don't make skin or anti-aging claims for our teas, and we don't think you should buy any tea for that reason.

Skin is shaped by many things, including genetics, sun exposure, sleep, diet, stress and the products you use. If something about your skin worries you, see a doctor or dermatologist rather than changing your tea.

What tea can honestly offer is a pleasant ritual. Taking ten minutes to brew and sip a cup of pu-erh, slowly and without your phone, is a calm part of many people's self-care routines, and that is reason enough to enjoy it.

How to Brew Pu Erh as Part of Your Daily Routine

Pu-erh is sold either compressed into cakes, bricks or small balls, or as loose leaf. A good starting point is about 4 grams of leaf for every 8 ounces (about 240 ml) of water.

Traditionally, pu-erh is brewed in a Yixing clay teapot or a gaiwan, but any teapot or mug with an infuser will work.

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To brew pu-erh leaves, here’s what to do:

1. Measure your leaf. If you have a compressed cake, use a tea knife or pick to gently loosen about 4 grams for every 8 ounces of water.
2. Put the leaves in your teapot, gaiwan or infuser.
3. Rinse the leaves: pour a little hot water over them, swirl for a few seconds, then discard the water. This wakes up compressed leaves and washes off dust from storage.
4. Heat your water. Use water just off the boil (100°C / 212°F) for both raw and ripe pu-erh. If a young raw pu-erh tastes bitter, shorten the steep.
5. Pour the water over the leaves and steep for about 3 to 5 minutes in a teapot or mug, or 10 to 30 seconds per steep in a gaiwan.
6. Taste as you go. Start tasting after two minutes and every 30 seconds after that, and stop when it tastes right to you. The same leaves can be steeped several more times.

Let the tea cool a little before you drink it; very hot drinks are best avoided. Pu-erh contains caffeine, so if you are sensitive to it, enjoy it earlier in the day. Our pu-erh caffeine guide has more detail, and our guide to pu-erh side effects covers what to watch for.

Bottom line:

Pu-erh has been enjoyed for centuries for its flavor and the ritual of brewing it, not as a skincare product. Drink it because you like it, take care of your skin with the help of a professional if you need one, and treat your daily cup as a small, calm moment for yourself. If you'd like to explore different styles first, our tea samples are an easy place to start.

This article is general information about tea, not medical advice. If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or managing a health condition, please talk to your doctor before changing what you drink.