Botanical Facts | Green Tea Extract
Join Tyler as he covers an anti-oxidant power-player that frequently shows up in our products, Green Tea Extract.
Botanical Facts is our series that dives into the ingredients that we use here at Peregrine, why we chose them, and more! Let's get into the details:
What is Green Tea Extract?
As you may have guessed, Green Tea Extract comes from the leaves and stems of the Camellia Sinensis, or Tea Leaf Plant. This is the same plant that gives us green tea and matcha, among other products.
Green Tea is chock-full of 2 main types of actives that help keep our skin looking brighter, and younger over time by slowing cell degradation and damage from oxygen. These 2 types of compounds are Polyphenols and Methylxanthines. Let's do into a bit more detail:
What are Polyphenols?
So, we’ll start with Polyphenols. This wide group of organic substances occurs naturally in plants. In green tea, the most common polyphenol is called Catechin.
Polyphenols act as antioxidants, meaning they can help to reduce the damage done to tissues by free-radicals.
In short, free radicals are molecules that are lacking an electron, making them very chemically reactive. These free radicals can cause damage to our skin and hair, which generally takes form as signs of aging, or other skin complaints.
By using anti-oxidants topically in our skincare, we can reduce the damage done by these particles.
The Catechin can also help to reduce inflammation at the surface of the skin, which can help to reduce the appearance of redness and blemishes, and can even skin tone. It can also help to reduce the degradation of collagen in the skin, which can again keep skin looking younger.
Catechin has also shown promise to help reduce the damage done to skin by UVB radiation, but this is less understood at the moment.
What are Methylxanthines?
Second, we have our Methylxanthines. This family of substances, which includes stimulants like caffeine, is also commonly found in plants, and can have quite a few applications for skincare.
These Methylxanthines can assist in reducing radiation damage like antioxidants, but also help with regulating skin tone and evening out overall appearance. They can also have an astringent effect, meaning they can help to control oily complexions, and acne.
So why use it in skin & haircare?
Green Tea Extract is a great option for us to use in both our skin and haircare products. In skincare, the inflammation and blemish-fighting abilities of Green Tea Extract make it great for improving skin tone, fighting acne and boosting skin elasticity, making skin look younger, brighter and more even.
In haircare, Green Tea Extract is great for boosting scalp health, and can also help to encourage healthy hair growth. Both the caffeine present in Green Tea, and well as other actives have been shown to boost the growth rates of hair in clinical studies.
What products use Green Tea Extract?
We use Green Tea Extract in the following products: