Ingredient

Green Tea

Also known as: Camellia sinensis leaf extract, EGCG, matcha

Green tea is rich in antioxidant polyphenols such as EGCG. It protects the skin from environmental stress, soothes redness and can help balance oil production – a classic of Korean skincare, especially for oily and blemish-prone skin.

  • 3 min read

What is green tea in skincare?

Green tea comes from the leaves of the tea plant Camellia sinensis. Because the leaves are not fermented, they contain particularly high levels of polyphenols – above all catechins. The best-known and most studied catechin is EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate). On ingredient lists you’ll find green tea as Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract or as green tea water (Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water), for example.

Green tea seed oil (Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil) is something different: it is obtained from the seeds, contains far fewer catechins than the leaf extract and is mainly nourishing and replenishing.

How does green tea work on the skin?

  • Antioxidant: The catechins neutralise free radicals caused by UV radiation and pollution – helping to protect against premature skin ageing.
  • Soothing: Green tea has anti-inflammatory properties and calms redness.
  • Balancing for oily skin: EGCG can help regulate sebum production – the skin looks less shiny.
  • Against blemishes: In the lab, EGCG inhibits the acne bacterium Cutibacterium acnes.

Which skin types is green tea suitable for?

Green tea is considered very well tolerated and suits almost every skin type.

How to use green tea

Green tea is found in almost every type of product – from cleansers and toners to serums and sunscreens. It’s especially useful in the morning: as an antioxidant, it complements your sunscreen – but it can’t replace it.

  1. Use a green tea cleanser or toner for fresh, balanced skin.
  2. Pat in a green tea serum after your toner or essence.
  3. Finish with a cream – and with sunscreen in the morning.

What can you combine green tea with?

Green tea in Korean skincare

Green tea has been grown on the South Korean island of Jeju for decades – no wonder it’s one of the classics of K-beauty. Popular picks include the Calming Serum Green Tea + Panthenol from Beauty of Joseon, the Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Serum and matching cream from innisfree, the Vitamin C Green Tea Enzyme Brightening Serum from innisfree, the Green Tea Fresh Sunscreen from Dr. Althea with green tea and centella, and the Bye Bye Blackhead Green Tea Tox Bubble Cleanser from SOME BY MI for blackheads.

What does the research say?

Green tea polyphenols are among the most intensively researched plant antioxidants. For blemish-prone skin, a study by Korean and American researchers is particularly interesting: EGCG applied to the skin improved acne in a clinical study, and in the lab it also inhibited sebum production in skin cells as well as the acne bacterium (Yoon et al., Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2013).

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Does green tea help with spots?
Green tea can support blemish-prone skin: it is anti-inflammatory and can help regulate sebum production. For more severe acne it’s a good addition to ingredients such as BHA, niacinamide or azelaic acid, but it doesn’t replace them.
What is the difference between green tea extract and green tea seed oil?
The extract from the leaves is rich in antioxidant catechins such as EGCG. The seed oil comes from the seeds of the tea plant and is mainly nourishing and replenishing.
Can green tea replace sunscreen?
No. Antioxidants such as green tea can complement protection against environmental stress, but they don’t filter UV radiation. Always apply sunscreen in the morning.
Is matcha in cosmetics the same as green tea?
Matcha is finely ground green tea made from shade-grown tea leaves – so it’s the same plant. In cosmetics you’ll mainly find it in cleansers and masks.
Green Tea

Popular products

Skincare glossary

See also

← Back to the glossary A–Z