The Matcha + Acne Connection No One Talks About

You know we’re big fans of matcha over here — it's calming, packed with antioxidants, and just makes your morning feel like a little ritual of self-care.

But there’s something we need to talk about…Because as much as matcha feels like the healthier choice (and it is in a lot of ways), it has one sneaky downside that almost no one is talking about:

It can interfere with your body’s ability to absorb iron.

And if you’ve been doing everything right — eating clean, cutting dairy, taking your skincare seriously, even swapping your morning coffee for matcha — but your skin still breaks out, your hair keeps thinning, and you feel tired all the time… this could be a missing puzzle piece.

We see this all the time. Clients come to us already doing so many things “right.” They’re consistent. They’ve cut sugar. They don’t fall asleep in makeup. They eat their greens, drink water, and stay away from the big acne triggers.

But their symptoms still linger:

– Breakouts that take forever to heal– Hair shedding that won’t let up– Fatigue that doesn’t match their clean lifestyle

So what gives?

Let’s talk about iron.

Iron is essential for healthy skin, strong hair, and energy. Without enough of it — or more specifically, without absorbing enough of it — your body struggles to function the way it should.

And not all iron is created equal.

There are two types:

• Heme iron, found in animal sources like beef, liver, chicken, and fish — which your body can absorb easily

• Non-heme iron, found in plant-based sources like lentils, spinach, kale, tofu, and fortified grains — which your body absorbs less efficiently

Now here’s where matcha comes in…

How matcha messes with iron

Matcha (along with other teas like green, black, and oolong) contains a compound called tannin, which binds to non-heme iron in your food. When this happens, your body can’t absorb the iron — no matter how much spinach or quinoa you’re eating.

So you could be doing all the right things… but if you’re drinking matcha with or right after your meals, your body may never actually use the nutrients you’re giving it.

That doesn’t mean you have to give up your matcha. We would never.

This is about timing, not restriction.

Here’s how to keep both your matcha and your glow:

1. Give it space.Wait at least 1–2 hours before or after an iron-rich meal to enjoy your matcha (or other teas).

2. Pair smart. Whenever you’re eating plant-based iron, include a source of vitamin C (like bell peppers, oranges, strawberries, or lemon juice). Vitamin C helps enhance absorption of iron.

3. Lean on animal sources. When possible, include heme iron in your meals — matcha won’t interfere with that kind.

So if you’ve been stuck in that place where your habits are solid, your skincare is consistent, and your diet is clean — but you still feel like something isn’t clicking…

Know this: Your body might not need more. It might just need a better strategy.

And this is exactly the kind of thing we look at when working with our clients — helping them uncover the “why” behind lingering symptoms like breakouts, hair loss, and fatigue… even when it seems like they’re doing everything right.

Want help digging deeper? We’d love to support you.