What it is
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil is expressed from the seeds of the tea plant, the same species used to produce green tea. It is a fatty oil rich in oleic acid and minor antioxidant constituents, used in cosmetics as an emollient that softens and conditions skin. In sunscreens it contributes to a smooth, nourishing skin feel and helps offset the dryness some formulas can leave.
Safety & warnings
Tea seed oil is generally well tolerated as a topical emollient. As an oleic-acid-rich plant oil it has moderate occlusivity; individuals very prone to clogged pores may prefer lighter oils, though it is not considered highly comedogenic. Those with known plant-oil sensitivities should patch test.
Origin & sourcing
Natural; cold-pressed or expressed from the seeds of Camellia sinensis, the tea plant of the Theaceae family, distinct from the leaf used for tea.
History
Tea seed oil has a long tradition of use in East Asia for cooking and personal care. Its use as a cosmetic emollient draws on that heritage and on the broader popularity of green-tea-derived ingredients.
Questions everyone asks
Is this the same as green tea extract?
No. Green tea extract comes from the leaves, while this oil is pressed from the seeds of the same plant. It is used as a conditioning emollient rather than an extract.
Will it feel heavy or greasy?
It is a moderate-weight emollient oil that softens skin. It is usually used at modest levels in sunscreen, though people very prone to clogged pores may prefer lighter oils.