tea makes skin dark - #16680
I am really curious about this whole idea that tea makes skin dark. Like, I love my morning cup of chai, but lately, I’ve noticed that I’ve been getting little darker in my complexion, and I swear it started around the same time I upped my tea intake. My friend mentioned that tea makes skin dark due to the tannins but I thought she was just messing with me. I've tried to cut it out a bit, but honestly, I was drinking 3 or 4 cups daily and it was really hard to stop right away. My skin feels kinda dry too, and I can’t tell if it’s from tea or just something else in my routine. Also, I read that some people say tea makes skin dark because of dehydration? Is that true? I do try to drink enough water, but with the colder months coming, I find myself reaching for those warm cups more often. Anyone else dealt with this? Like, I just want to understand if tea makes skin dark for real or if I’m just overthinking it. Do I need to consider other factors or is it legit just about how much tea I consume? Would love to hear your thoughts!
100% Anonymously
No sign-up needed.

Doctors’ responses
The idea that drinking tea can directly make your skin darker is more of a myth than a medically recognized fact. There’s no strong scientific evidence that consuming tea changes your skin tone. The main component your friend mentioned—tannins—are indeed in tea, but they aren’t known to affect skin pigmentation. What most likely could be happening here is a coincidence with other factors influencing your skin. For instance, as you noticed, colder weather often leads to drier skin. A dry skin can sometimes appear duller or less vibrant, not necessarily darker. Hydration can infact impact your skin’s health, but tea on its own would not cause significant dehydration or skin darkening unless it was replacing your water intake. It’s excellent that you’re conscious of drinking enough water generally. Keep this up, even more so when you are consuming caffeinated beverages like tea, since caffeine is a mild diuretic. If you’re noticing changes that are concerning to you, it could be worth looking at your overall skin routine and diet. Factors like sun exposure, stress, sleep, and nutrition can impact skin health substantially. Check for any new products you’re using, or even changes in nutrition that might affect your skin. And if you’re concerned about why your skin might be darker or drier, consulting with a dermatologist could provide more personalized insights. Ultimately, 3-4 cups of tea a day is usually not problematic, but balance with water and a healthy diet is key.
100% Anonymously
Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential. No sign-up needed.
About our doctors
Only qualified doctors who have confirmed the availability of medical education and other certificates of medical practice consult on our service. You can check the qualification confirmation in the doctor's profile.