What is green tea in skincare?
Green tea extract comes from the unfermented leaves of Camellia sinensis. Its activity is driven by polyphenols called catechins, the most abundant and most studied of which is epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG.
On an ingredients list it appears as Camellia sinensis leaf extract. Because the catechins are potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, green tea has become one of the best-researched botanical actives in skincare.
What skin concerns does green tea treat?
It calms redness and irritation, making it useful for rosacea-prone, sensitive and post-procedure skin. Its antibacterial and sebum-regulating effects help mild acne and oily skin.
Topical application reduces UV-induced damage and inflammation, which positions green tea as a preventative anti-ageing ingredient alongside sunscreen rather than a replacement for it. It also supports skin under the eyes where puffiness is a concern.
What ingredients are best paired with green tea?
Layer it with other antioxidants – vitamin C, vitamin E, resveratrol, ferulic acid – for broader free-radical coverage in the morning.
For acne it works well with niacinamide and salicylic acid; for sensitivity, with centella asiatica, panthenol and ceramides. It is gentle enough to combine with almost anything, and is a good way to add antioxidant protection to a routine built around retinoids. Take our Skin Quiz.
What are wrinkles?
Wrinkles are permanent folds and creases in the skin. They begin as dynamic lines that appear only with expression, then set into static lines visible at rest once the underlying support structure can no longer push them back out.
They form first where skin is thin and movement is constant: crow’s feet, forehead lines, frown lines between the brows, and nasolabial folds. Deeper folds also reflect loss of fat and bone volume, not just skin change.
What causes wrinkles?
Internally, collagen and elastin production declines steadily from the mid-twenties and the dermal matrix thins, so skin loses the scaffolding that keeps it smooth.
Externally, ultraviolet radiation does most of the damage – it activates enzymes that break down collagen and degrades elastic fibres. Smoking, pollution, sugar-driven glycation, poor sleep, sleeping position and repeated facial movement all accelerate the process.
What ingredients are best for wrinkles?
Retinoids have the deepest evidence base for stimulating collagen and measurably reducing wrinkle depth over six to twelve months. Vitamin C supports synthesis while neutralising the free radicals that break it down, and peptides signal repair.
Round it out with hyaluronic acid and ceramides for hydration and barrier strength, niacinamide for elasticity and tone, and AHAs for surface renewal. Daily broad-spectrum SPF is the most effective anti-wrinkle product there is. Take our Skin Quiz.
