Green Tea in Skin Care
Green tea (Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract) is a powerful antioxidant ingredient used to treat skin aging, acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, and sensitive skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it one of the best ingredients to treat skin inflammation in sensitive skin types and to treat hyperpigmentation. I can be used in skincare regimens designed to lighten skin and in rosacea treatment creams.
Green tea has many benefits due to its antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-acne, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, skin lightening, and photoprotective properties. [1] [2]
It is recommended for all 16 Baumann Skin Types.
green tea in skin care
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Green tea is known by names but it is usually found on the product label as Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract.
Benefits
Cancer protection
Green tea may help protect skin from skin cancer. Experiments conducted in the 1990s using mouse skin tumor bioassay systems revealed that when green tea polyphenols (GTPs) were applied topically, they protected the skin from various factors that could induce or promote skin cancer, such as 3-methylcholanthrene, 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA), 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), benzoyl peroxide, and 4-nitroquinoline N-oxide.
GTPs were found to have the ability to neutralize a wide range of harmful free radicals, including 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl radicals, and lipid-derived radicals.
EGCG also reduces the immunosuppression caused by UV exposure by limiting the production of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and increasing the production of interleukin-12 (IL-12), which are important cytokines involved in the immune response.
EGCG appears to enhance the production of enzymes that repair DNA damage caused by UV radiation.
does green tea help prevent cancer?
Aging Prevention
Green tea may help prevent skin aging by blocking the causes of skin aging such as inflammation and free radicals.
In mouse studies, EGCG was shown to downregulate the expression of AP-1 and NF-κB, both involved in cellular signaling, while inhibiting matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which can degrade collagen and lead to photodamage. (32)
In a study involving hairless mice exposed to UVB radiation, drinking water supplemented with GTPs suppressed protein oxidation in the skin, both in vivo (in the living organism) and in vitro (in cultured human skin cells). (1)
Oral administration of GTPs in hairless mice was also found to inhibit the expression of MMPs in the skin after UVB exposure, indicating potential anti-aging properties of GTPs. (1)
Green Tea Comes from Plants
Green tea comes from an evergreen tree Camellia sinensis that is in the Theaceae family. It is a natural product that can also be organic if no pesticides are used when cultivating it.
Chemistry of Green Tea in Skin Care Products:
Safety Issues and Clean Ingredient Standards for Green Tea
Green tea and green tea extracts are categorized as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS). It is a natural and clean ingredient. It may be organic if grown without pesticides.
Green tea is rated 1-2 by the EWG.
Allergy to Green Tea
Green tea can rarely cause a skin allergy.
It is often found on lists of allergenic skin care ingredients.
This is uncommon and I have never seen it but cases have been reported. The person who develops an allergy to green tea usually also has a black tea allergy.
Environmental Impact of Green Tea in Skin Care
Cultivating green tea does not harm the environment. The sustainability of tea plantations may be threatened by global climate change. (1)
considerations on the formulation of green tea products in skin care
Product Formulation Considerations
EGCG is the component of green tea that should be used in formulations because it has the most antioxidant activity. However, EGCG is also the most expensive form of green tea in cosmetics and is challenging to formulate because it is unstable.
It is water soluble and relatively easy to combine with other ingredients because it does not easily react with other ingredients and seems to facilitate or support their stability.
When a large amount of green tea is put in a skincare product, it may look turn brown. (In this case- brown is good because it means there is enough green tea in the product.)
Skin Care Routine Design Considerations
The hydrophilic nature of EGCG limits penetration into human skin. Green tea should be used with ingredients that increase skin penetration when possible such as hyaluronic acid and oleic acid. When designing a skin care routine, care should be taken to design the order of steps in the routine to increase absorption of green tea.
Find the best skin care products with Green Tea here
Chemical components
Green tea is a polyphenol in the flavonoid category of flavanals known as catachins.
The four major polyphenolic catechins found in green tea include:
ECG [(-)EpiCatechin-3-O-Gallate]
GCG [(-)GalloCatechin-3-O-Gallate]
EGC [(-)EpiGalloCatechin]
EGCG [(-)EpiGalloCatechin-3-O-Gallate]
Green tea polyphenols (GTPs) are antioxidants and also affect Ras and activator protein (AP)-1, which are part of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway.
Green tea is good for all skin types. Let u help you build a skin care routine finding products that are right for you skin type. Have questions? Ask our AI bot that we call our skin care concierge.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.