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Green Tea Extract
ORY® product lines:
☑ Skincare
☑ Haircare
☑ Handmade Soap (tea as lye water; powdered matcha)
☑ Cosmetics — full dual-use ingredient
Green tea extract is the concentrated polyphenol fraction of unfermented Camellia sinensis leaves, dominated by the catechin epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). Topical green tea polyphenols reduce UV-induced sunburn, DNA damage, and immune suppression in human skin [2], and have been reviewed as among the best-evidenced botanical photoprotectants [1]. EGCG also reduces sebum and acne lesions in an 8-week human trial by acting on the pathways that drive sebocyte lipid production and inflammation [4], and it prolonged the growth phase of cultured human hair follicles [3] — giving green tea genuine claims for both skin and scalp. Water-soluble, affordable, and gentle, it fits every ORY® line, including soap brewed with green tea instead of water.
What is Green Tea Extract made of?
Green tea extract is produced by water or hydro-alcoholic extraction of steamed (unoxidized) leaves and standardized to total polyphenols (typically 50–98%) or EGCG. Constituents:
Catechins oxidize readily; standardized, decaffeinated or full-spectrum extracts should be protected from light and formulated at mildly acidic pH.
- Catechins (EGCG, EGC, ECG, EC): 30–40% of dry leaf weight; EGCG is the most abundant and most active antioxidant.
- Caffeine (2–4%): Vasoconstricting and microcirculation-stimulating; de-puffing in eye products; follicle-stimulating in scalp products.
- L-theanine: Amino acid with soothing properties.
- Flavonols (quercetin, kaempferol) and phenolic acids: Supporting antioxidants.
- Chlorophyll and vitamins (C, E, K): Minor components; matcha powder retains the whole leaf.
What skin type is best suited for Green Tea Extract?
Green tea extract suits all seven ORY® skin types, with the strongest evidence for oily, acne-prone, and sun-exposed skin:
- Oily: EGCG reduces sebum production [4]; astringent tannins refine the feel of pores.
- Acne-prone: Reduced acne lesions in an 8-week human study; antibacterial against C. acnes [4].
- Mature: Photoprotective and anti-inflammatory; protects collagen from UV-induced breakdown [1, 2].
- Combination: Balances oil while calming.
- Sensitive: Anti-inflammatory; reduces UV-induced redness [2]; use low-tannin grades.
- Normal: Daily antioxidant defense.
- Dry: Use in emulsions with humectants; tannins can feel drying in high-alcohol toners.
What hair type is best suited for Green Tea Extract?
Green tea is one of the few botanicals with laboratory evidence for hair-follicle activity, plus scalp oil control:
- Mature or thinning: EGCG prolonged the anagen (growth) phase and stimulated dermal papilla cells in cultured human follicles [3]; caffeine adds follicle stimulation (cosmetic support claims).
- Oily scalp: Reduces scalp sebum and greasiness.
- Dandruff-prone scalp: Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory support.
- Sensitive scalp: Calms UV- and irritant-induced inflammation.
- Color-treated: Antioxidant protection helps slow oxidative color fading.
- Straight, wavy, curly, coily, dry or damaged: Antioxidant scalp support; light rinses add shine.
What are the benefits of Green Tea Extract?
Green tea polyphenols are among the best-studied botanical actives [1–4]:
- Photoprotection: Reduces UV-induced erythema, sunburn cells, and DNA damage in human skin [2].
- Antioxidant: EGCG scavenges free radicals and protects skin lipids and collagen.
- Anti-inflammatory: Inhibits inflammatory pathways; reduces redness.
- Sebum reduction and acne improvement: Clinically demonstrated with topical EGCG [4].
- Anti-aging: Inhibits collagen-degrading enzymes; supports firmness.
- Antimicrobial: Activity against acne bacteria and Malassezia.
- Hair growth support: Prolongs anagen phase in cultured follicles [3].
- De-puffing (caffeine): Reduces under-eye puffiness in eye products.
Dual use across ORY® product lines
Green tea is water-soluble and gentle, making it a natural four-line ingredient; strong brewed tea can even replace the water in soap.
| ORY® line | Dual use? | How it is used | Typical level |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ORY® Skincare |
Yes |
Antioxidant serums, day creams and sunscreens (photoprotective support), acne toners and gels, eye creams, masks, cleansers. |
0.5–5% extract; 0.1–1% EGCG |
|
ORY® Haircare |
Yes |
Scalp serums for thinning and oily scalps, shampoos, conditioners, antioxidant color-protect products. |
0.5–3% |
|
ORY® Handmade Soap |
Yes |
Strong green tea as lye water and/or matcha powder at trace for color and antioxidant positioning (catechins partly survive). |
100% of water phase as tea; 1 tsp matcha per lb |
|
ORY® Cosmetics |
Yes |
Antioxidant foundations, oil-control primers, setting sprays, de-puffing eye products. |
0.5–2% |
Pros and cons of Green Tea Extract
Pros
Cons
- Strong human evidence: Photoprotection and acne trials [2, 4].
- Skin and scalp claims: Rare botanical with follicle data [3].
- Affordable and sustainable: Widely available; standardized grades.
- Multifunctional: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, sebum control, antimicrobial.
- Four-line utility: Including soap.
- Oxidation: Catechins brown and lose potency in light, heat, and alkaline pH; formulate with care.
- Tannin astringency: High levels can feel drying or tight.
- Color: Extracts tint formulas yellow-brown as they oxidize.
- Caffeine sensitivity: Rarely relevant topically; decaffeinated grades exist.
- Rinse-off limits: Modest benefit in soap and shampoo compared with leave-ons.
What is the best application of Green Tea Extract?
Green tea is a daytime antioxidant and an oily-skin/scalp regulator:
- Antioxidant serum: AM under SPF; pair with vitamin C and ferulic acid.
- Acne toner or gel: EGCG 1% for oily, congested skin, AM/PM [4].
- Day cream or sunscreen: Photoprotective support.
- Eye cream: Caffeine plus EGCG for puffiness and dark circles.
- Mask: Matcha clay mask for oily skin.
- Scalp serum: Daily leave-in for thinning or oily scalps; combine with caffeine, niacinamide, and peptides.
- Shampoo: Oil-control and antioxidant shampoos.
- Soap: Green tea bar for oily and acne-prone body skin.
- Cosmetics: Oil-control primer; antioxidant foundation.
Peer-reviewed references
- Katiyar SK, Ahmad N, Mukhtar H. Green tea and skin. Archives of Dermatology. 2000;136(8):989–994.
- Elmets CA, Singh D, Tubesing K, Matsui M, Katiyar S, Mukhtar H. Cutaneous photoprotection from ultraviolet injury by green tea polyphenols. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2001;44(3):425–432.
- Kwon OS, Han JH, Yoo HG, et al. Human hair growth enhancement in vitro by green tea epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). Phytomedicine. 2007;14(7–8):551–555.
- Yoon JY, Kwon HH, Min SU, Thiboutot DM, Suh DH. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate improves acne in humans by modulating intracellular molecular targets and inhibiting P. acnes. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 2013;133(2):429–440.
Disclaimer:
The information on this page is provided by ORY International, LC for educational purposes only. It summarizes published research about green tea extract as an ingredient, including laboratory and animal studies and clinical studies of formulas that may differ from ORY® products. Results from these studies may not apply to every person or to ORY® products. This page is not medical advice and does not replace advice from a dermatologist, physician, or other qualified healthcare provider.
ORY® Skincare, Haircare, Handmade Soap, and Cosmetics products are cosmetics. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease or condition, including sunburn, skin cancer, acne, rosacea, inflammation, or hair loss. References to FDA or Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) findings describe the ingredient, not ORY® products, and do not mean FDA has reviewed or approved any ORY® product.
Results vary by skin and scalp type, formulation, and use. Any cosmetic can cause irritation, sometimes from other ingredients. Always patch test, follow label directions, and stop use if irritation occurs. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, consult a healthcare provider before use.
ORY International, LC works to keep this page accurate and current but makes no warranty as to its completeness. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ORY International, LC is not liable for any loss or injury arising from reliance on this information or from use of any product contrary to its label directions. To report a reaction, contact us at [insert contact email / phone].
