What it is
Camellia sinensis leaf extract is prepared from the leaves of the tea plant, the same evergreen shrub whose leaves yield green, oolong, and black teas through different processing. Its activity is attributed largely to polyphenols known as catechins, the most abundant of which is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). In cosmetics it acts as an antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals and as a soothing agent for sensitive or reactive skin, which is why it frequently appears in daily sunscreens and after-sun formulas. The strength of an extract depends heavily on its catechin content, which varies with plant source, harvest, and processing.
Safety & warnings
Green tea leaf extract is widely used and generally well tolerated, and is often chosen specifically for sensitive, redness-prone, or blemish-prone skin because of its calming reputation. Tolerability can depend on the carrier and solvent used to prepare the extract and on overall formulation rather than the polyphenols themselves. People with very reactive skin should patch test, as botanical extracts can occasionally cause individual sensitivities.
Origin & sourcing
The extract is botanical, made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis, a species of evergreen shrub in the family Theaceae thought to have originated in the borderlands of far eastern India, northern Myanmar, and southwestern China. Fresh leaves are processed with minimal oxidation (as for green tea) to preserve catechins, then extracted to concentrate the polyphenol fraction used in cosmetics.
History
The tea plant has an ancient cultivation history centered in China and East Asia, with records of tea use dating back thousands of years. Green tea is among the most heavily studied plant materials in skincare, and its catechins, particularly EGCG, have been extensively researched as antioxidant polyphenols.
Questions everyone asks
What is the active part of green tea extract?
Its activity is linked mainly to polyphenols called catechins, the most abundant being EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which act as antioxidants.
Why is green tea extract in sunscreen?
It is added as an antioxidant and soothing agent to help calm the skin and counter free radicals, complementing the UV filters that do the actual sun protection.
Is green tea leaf extract natural?
Yes, it is a botanical extract made from the leaves of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis.