What is "CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT" and what does it do?

Role: PLANT EXTRACTS

Family: PLANT EXTRACTS Green tea

Comedogenic index: 0

Green tea is one of the most studied natural ingredients. Its active components are called polyphenols, more specifically catechins (EGCG being the most abundant and active catechin). The quality of green tea extracts can vary considerably. Good extracts generally contain between 10 and 90 % of catechins, which can give the product a characteristic brown color and smell.

The benefits of green tea:
Green tea is a proven antioxidant, UV protectant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. Because of these exceptional properties, green tea is an excellent choice for combating skin aging, as well as for treating skin conditions such as rosacea, acne and atopic dermatitis.

The active ingredients inside green tea:
It's important to note that the most useful components of tea are polyphenols, specifically catechins. There are four main types of catechins, of which EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) is the most abundant and active. The other significant types are ECG (epicatechin gallate), GCG (gallocatechin gallate) and EGC (epigallocatechin).

The problem of plant extracts:
To truly assess the efficacy of a green tea product, it is important to know the polyphenol content of the extract used. There can be great differences in quality between different green tea extracts, depending on climate, season, age of leaves and growing conditions.

The power of polyphenols:
Antioxidants:
Green tea polyphenols are recognized as powerful antioxidants. This is a good thing, as they help protect our skin against free radicals that can damage the collagen in our skin, responsible for its firmness. Studies show that green tea reduces skin irritation and redness caused by UV rays (erythema), and reduces the number of sunburn cells. So it's a good idea to use a green tea product in the morning under your sunscreen.

Anti-inflammatory :
Inflammation is an important biological and protective process in response to undesirable factors in our bodies. However, excessive inflammation of the skin is undesirable: it accelerates the skin's aging process and is also the cause of many skin conditions (acne and rosacea are the most common examples). Green tea's catechins are not only incredible antioxidants, but also possess anti-inflammatory properties. This makes green tea an excellent choice for sensitive skin prone to rosacea or acne.

Antimicrobial :
It's probably the least well-known, but green tea also has promising antimicrobial properties against certain unwanted bacteria. This property makes green tea even more interesting for acne-prone skin.

Research has shown that drinking tea made from Camellia Sinensis leaves and applying it to the skin can help improve skin elasticity and hydration. Studies also show that using tea extracts can reduce the skin's production of sebum, or oil.

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