What is Green Tea?

If you live in NYC or LA, you may know and love the beautiful pink aesthetic and perfect matcha-based pick me ups at Cha Cha Matcha. But behind that instagram-worthy cup is a huge variety of impressive benefits for your gut and your skin. Matcha is made out of ground green tea leaves, which have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 4,000 years. After centuries of using this ingredient as the ultimate wellness booster, researchers discovered it has an impressive resume of skin-enhancing benefits, too. So as a skincare meets wellness company with Chinese roots,  green tea extract is one of our favorite skincare ingredients to formulate with. We actually include green tea extract in every single one of our products. 

Green tea is derived from the leaves and buds of Camellia sinensis tea plants and is frequently used as a botanical ingredient in a variety of skincare products.

P.S. If “Camellia sinensis” looks familiar, it’s because that is how green tea is coded on the ingredient list for cosmetics. You can find it on the backs of your products or in the product description pages of online shops.

Chemists love working with green tea because it is one of the most well-researched natural ingredients in skincare. A study way back in 2015 found that there were already close to 600 research papers about green tea published in PubMed, which is part of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Years later, even more research has been done to continue to reveal what makes green tea a superstar ingredient.

Skincare Benefits of Green Tea Extract

Packed with powerful antioxidants 

Green tea is rich in a type of polyphenols called catechins, specifically epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a natural and potent antioxidant that is responsible for so many of the skin-enhancing properties of green tea. These powerful antioxidants neutralize collagen-destroying free radicals, reversing signs of sun damage and minimizing fine lines and wrinkles.

Reduces excess sebum to help fight acne  

Green tea has antimicrobial properties that in combination with its ability to reduce sebum production, make it a perfect ingredient for oily and acne prone skin. Plus, green tea helps to reduce inflammation, which is a common cause of acne.

Soothes and calms inflamed skin 

Green tea is not only safe for the most sensitive skin, but it helps to relieve any sensitivity, redness, or irritation in the skin. As a research-backed anti-inflammatory ingredient, green tea is used to treat a wide variety of skin conditions including rosacea, psoriasis, acne and atopic dermatitis. Even if you don’t have a skin condition that needs addressing, green tea helps soothe and calm the skin for an enhanced complexion and texture.

Works for all skin types and plays well with active ingredients

A true jack of all trades, green tea is compatible with all skin types (the most sensitive included). Green tea also works well with most skincare ingredients making it a perfect addition to a wide range of formulas. Pairing green tea with Vitamin C may actually help preserve the antioxidant properties of green tea, and enhance the function of vitamin’s C and E. 

With all of these amazing benefits, we see no end to our green-tea infused skincare collection, so keep your eyes peeled for new Beia launches with green tea! And in the meantime, experience the near-magic skincare benefits of green tea in our Daily Hydrating & Setting Mist, Refresh Wipes, and Body & Intimacy Serum.