I recently discussed how drinking spearmint tea can help reduce acne in women who have a high sensitivity to androgens or have too much testosterone.  When spearmint is used as a tea or as a supplement, it can have beneficial effects on the skin by reducing oil production, reducing pore size, acting as an anti-inflammatory and can help fight bacteria associated with acne formation.

For those of you who want to use spearmint but don’t feel like chugging down several cups of tea throughout the day, which may result in numerous trips to the bathroom, taking a supplement can be a convenient way to get the beneficial compounds from the spearmint leaf.

It can be difficult to find the right spearmint supplement or tea (they often contain other ingredients), so in this article, I’ll share a few of the best.

Top spearmint supplement picks and buyer’s guide for fighting acne

When considering a supplement or tea, it’s important to make sure that the product contains enough spearmint extract for it to be effective in helping with acne.

For example, it’s often the case that many teas combine spearmint with other ingredients such as peppermint, which means that you would have to consume significantly more tea than a product containing 100% pure spearmint.

There may also be a significant difference in the quality of spearmint extracts as well. Since there are a few different varieties of mint plants, choosing one which contains a higher amount of rosmarinic acid may be more beneficial for people who suffer from acne. Fortunately, there is one product which has a significant amount of this polyphenol due to selective breeding.

#1. Swanson Spearmint phenolic complex

Swanson’s is a popular supplement brand which provides a wide range of herbal supplements.

This spearmint supplement contains a high amount of rosmarinic acid (14.5%), which may help boost its effectiveness in combating acne because of its potent anti-inflammatory effects.

I recommend this supplement above Swanson’s other spearmint supplement, due to its higher quality and rosmarinic acid content. Although, it’s a little more expensive than the standard spearmint supplement.

This supplement, unlike Swanson’s standard spearmint leaf extract, is also suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

See more information and current price.

#2. Traditional Medicinals organic spearmint tea (1.5 grams per bag)

Soft and sweet is how you can describe this spearmint tea. Although I have only tried it a handful of times, I’ve enjoyed it almost as much as the brand I normally buy (palanquin).

Each spearmint tea bag contains 1500 mg of spearmint leaf, which is one of the highest I’ve found.

If you’re going to give this tea a go, drink up to 3 cups per day. This should be more than enough to help suppress androgens that are causing oily skin and acne.

This tea is also certified organic, fair trade and non-GMO verified.

It also has a few good reviews, so be sure to check them out before buying.

See more information and current price.

#3. Palanquin spearmint herbal tea (1 gram per bag)

This spearmint tea from Palanquin is very refreshing and has a lovely aroma that you’ll notice even before opening the box it comes in.

I enjoy drinking a cup of this tea every morning just after waking – a great way to start the day!

The tea itself is encased in regular tea bags that you simply infuse with hot water from the kettle (not boiling). It is also 100% pure spearmint, which is hard to find in the store and online because many mint teas combine spearmint and other ingredients.

If you’re a female and want to try drinking spearmint tea to see if it helps your acne, you will need to drink between 2 to 5 cups per day. For convenience, you could just add two tea bags per cup.

I highly recommend giving this one a try if you can. For people in the UK, shipping will be a little faster, as many of the suppliers are based there.

See more information and current price.

How to use spearmint supplements and tea

To get the most out of spearmint for helping with your acne, you will have to consistently drink the tea or take the supplement daily.

Androgen levels can quickly bounce back in a short period of time if you keep forgetting to use the spearmint, so make it a habit if you can. I recommend drinking when you first wake up in the morning.

How to make spearmint tea

To get the best cup of tea, you’ll want to get some fresh water, boil it in the kettle, and then leave it for a minute for it to cool down.

Next, pour the hot water into the cup and then steep the spearmint tea bag for about 5-10 minutes with the top of the cup covered.

If you like you can also add in other ingredients such as ginger and turmeric (these can also help fight acne and block inflammation). If you aren’t vegan, honey goes well with spearmint tea also.

Combining it with other supplements

When trying to combat acne, you sometimes have to attack the problem in multiple ways. Combining herbs and supplements can be very beneficial in helping heal acne.

Supplements which can help include:

• Zinc picolinate (highly effective at treatment acne) – See more details here.
• Licorice root – Natural anti-androgen.
•  Vitamin D3 – The sunshine vitamin has been shown to reduce inflammatory acne lesions.

If you’re a vegan (also helpful for non-vegans), check out my article on the various causes of acne and what you can do about it.

Frequently asked questions

Will spearmint supplements cure my acne?

Spearmint can help block testosterone, which plays a significant role in the development of acne. While there is no specific study on the use of spearmint in treating acne in humans, it has been found to be effective in reducing androgens and helps with conditions in women where acne is one of the symptoms.

You should give it at least a month or two before judging whether or not spearmint is helping.

Will spearmint be effective for men?

Men who wish to try spearmint supplements or tea may benefit, but the effect could be milder than it is for women. That being said, there is some anecdotal evidence on the acne forums that spearmint can help men also.

Are there any side effects?

One of the potential side effects of spearmint supplements and tea is irritation of the lining of the esophagus. This can lead to acid reflux and heartburn symptoms.

Reducing the amount of spearmint you’re consuming can help resolve these side effects for most people.