The ingredient narratives reshaping clean beauty.
Green Tea & EGCG
aka egcg · epigallocatechin gallate · camellia sinensis · green tea extract
Camellia sinensis polyphenols — and specifically epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) — are among the most-studied plant antioxidants in dermatology. Photoprotective (reduces UVB-induced erythema and DNA damage), anti-androgenic in scalp/sebum contexts, and synergistic with caffeine. Youth To The People built the kale-spinach-green-tea antioxidant serum around it; The Ordinary's Caffeine + EGCG eye serum is the mass benchmark.
- potent antioxidant via EGCG and other catechins
- modest topical photoprotection
- anti-inflammatory in acne and rosacea contexts
- antioxidant serums (YTTP Superfood)
- eye treatments
- post-sun recovery
Concentrated EGCG isolate (1–3%) outperforms whole-leaf extract for clinical claims. Stability is poor — pairs with vitamin E and ferulic acid for protection. Pairs with caffeine for compound antioxidant + microcirculatory effect.
EGCG oxidizes to brown — color change in serum = lost activity. Chinese green tea sourcing carries the same supply-transparency questions as any imported botanical.
Strongly positive — peer-reviewed and culturally familiar.
The ingredient narratives reshaping clean beauty.
Green Tea & EGCG
aka egcg · epigallocatechin gallate · camellia sinensis · green tea extract
Camellia sinensis polyphenols — and specifically epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) — are among the most-studied plant antioxidants in dermatology. Photoprotective (reduces UVB-induced erythema and DNA damage), anti-androgenic in scalp/sebum contexts, and synergistic with caffeine. Youth To The People built the kale-spinach-green-tea antioxidant serum around it; The Ordinary's Caffeine + EGCG eye serum is the mass benchmark.
- potent antioxidant via EGCG and other catechins
- modest topical photoprotection
- anti-inflammatory in acne and rosacea contexts
- antioxidant serums (YTTP Superfood)
- eye treatments
- post-sun recovery
Concentrated EGCG isolate (1–3%) outperforms whole-leaf extract for clinical claims. Stability is poor — pairs with vitamin E and ferulic acid for protection. Pairs with caffeine for compound antioxidant + microcirculatory effect.
EGCG oxidizes to brown — color change in serum = lost activity. Chinese green tea sourcing carries the same supply-transparency questions as any imported botanical.
Strongly positive — peer-reviewed and culturally familiar.