Common Name(s): Camellia sinensis extract,green tea polyphenol complex,egcg anti-aging active

CAS Number: N/a

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Camellia sinensis extract provides exceptionally potent antioxidant protection from uv and pollution-induced free radicals (egcg ic50 ~0.5 μm — 20× more potent than vitamin c by molar comparison), reduces inflammatory redness and post-uv erythema through nf-kb pathway modulation, inhibits sebum production for anti-acne activity through 5-α-reductase inhibition, and stimulates collagen synthesis through ap-1 pathway activation.

Why It's Used: Formulators choose camellia sinensis extract as the reference anti-aging botanical because it has the largest body of peer-reviewed cosmetic science evidence of any single plant ingredient — over 5,000 published studies on egcg biological activity. this evidence base provides exceptional claim substantiation across multiple functions (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-photoaging, anti-acne, collagen stimulation) that no other single botanical can match. the green tea narrative is also the most consumer-recognised botanical antioxidant story, providing both scientific credibility and commercial resonance.

How It Works: Camellia sinensis extract works through egcg's multi-target polyphenol pharmacology: (1) direct antioxidant — egcg's three hydroxylated aromatic rings provide extraordinary radical scavenging capacity. the catechol group (1,2-dihydroxybenzene) and pyrogallol group (1,2,3-trihydroxybenzene) on the b-ring donate electrons to ros (hoc•, o₂•⁻, ¹o₂) with rate constants 10⁷–10¹⁰ m⁻¹s⁻¹ — near the diffusion-controlled limit; (2) nf-kb inhibition — egcg's galloyl group acylates cysteine residues in ikb kinase through michael addition, preventing nf-kb nuclear translocation and cytokine gene transcription (tnf-α, il-1β, il-6). ic50 for nf-kb inhibition ~1–10 μm in keratinocytes; (3) nrf2 activation — egcg's electrophilic α,β-unsaturated system modifies keap1 cysteine residues, releasing nrf2 for nuclear entry and are-driven antioxidant gene expression (ho-1, nqo1, glutathione s-transferase) — upregulating cellular antioxidant defences beyond egcg's own direct radical scavenging; (4) 5-α-reductase inhibition — egcg inhibits 5-α-reductase type i (ic50 ~15 μm) reducing testosterone conversion to dht in sebocytes — lowering sebum production and anti-acne activity.

Typically Found In: Anti-aging serums,antioxidant products,anti-acne,green tea skin care

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – antioxidant

Secondary Functions: Free radical scavenging,anti-aging

Application Areas:

Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%–10%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Plant-derived extract or synthetic.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; well-tolerated.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.

Works Well With: Vitamin c,vitamin e,ferulic acid,spf,other antioxidants

Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Egcg dpph potency benchmark: egcg dpph ic50 = 0.5 μm. vitamin c (ascorbic acid) dpph ic50 = 10 μm — egcg is 20× more potent by molar concentration as a dpph radical scavenger. quercetin ic50 = 4 μm; resveratrol ic50 = 25 μm. egcg's three polyhydroxyphenol groups (catechol, pyrogallol, galloyl) provide up to 8 phenolic oh groups for electron donation — the highest density of radical-scavenging phenol groups of any commercially available cosmetic polyphenol, explaining its dpph activity benchmark position.

Last Verified: 2026-03-12

Primary Sources: Journal of investigative dermatology,camellia sinensis egcg multi-pathway review