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Green tea

aka Green tea, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), Green tea catechins, Fermented green tea

The short answer

Green tea extract is rich in antioxidant catechins, especially EGCG. Small studies suggest topical use can reduce oiliness and blemishes, but evidence for visible anti-ageing is weak and it never replaces sunscreen.

Known for
Antioxidant tea leaf extract that may help oily, blemish-prone skin feel balanced.
Suits
Oily skin
Helps with
Blemish-prone skinAntioxidant support under SPF
Evidence
limited

Updated 5 Oct 2026 · Sources

Check first

Caution: Higher strengths may irritateCaution: Breaks down in light
  • You've reacted to tea-based skincare before.
  • Your skin is very sensitive and the product is a high-strength green tea cream; irritation was higher at 10% in one trial, so patch test first.

What it goes with

Pairs well

  • NiacinamideBoth suit oily, blemish-prone routines; no clash is known.
  • BHA (salicylic acid)A light, soothing layer in a salicylic acid routine; reasoned, not tested together.
  • Hyaluronic acidLightweight hydration that suits oily skin.
  • SPF50+ sunscreenAntioxidants work alongside sunscreen, not instead of it.

Keep apart

No known clashes. Still patch test anything new.

How it works

Green tea's skin-relevant compounds are catechins, a family of antioxidants. The most abundant is EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), alongside ECG, EC and EGC [1].

For oiliness, the evidence is one small study: 10 volunteers using a 3% green tea emulsion on their cheeks for eight weeks produced significantly less sebum than with a control cream [1].

For breakouts, a 2021 meta-analysis of five small randomised trials found green tea extract applied to skin reduced both inflamed spots and blackheads and whiteheads, without significant side effects, while green tea taken by mouth made little difference [2]. That's encouraging, but the trials were few and small.

Anti-ageing results are weaker. In a placebo-controlled trial, 40 women using a 10% green tea cream plus green tea supplements for eight weeks saw no visible difference in sun-related ageing, only microscopic changes in skin samples, and the green tea group reported more irritation [3]. An industry-run study of a multi-step green tea routine found better moisture and less visible redness after 30 days but no change in wrinkles, pores or texture [4].

The strongest sun-related human data are for oral catechin supplements, not creams [1], so green tea skincare is an antioxidant extra, not sun protection. EGCG is also unstable in light: under a solar simulator, 76.9% of the EGCG in a cream broke down [1].

How to use it

  • Use in toners, essences, serums or gel creams after cleansing, morning or night.
  • Studied strengths ranged from 2.5% EGCG to 3% extract in creams [1].
  • Choose opaque or airless packaging and keep it out of the sun, because EGCG breaks down in light [1].
  • In the morning, follow with SPF50+ [6].
  • If your skin is sensitive, patch test, since irritation was higher with a 10% cream [3].

FAQ

A meta-analysis of five small trials found green tea extract applied to skin reduced blemishes, while green tea taken by mouth did little [2]. Evidence is limited; it's a support, not a replacement for stronger acne options.

Products with green tea

Each links to Australian stockists, with the price range across shops.

Sources

General information only, not medical advice.