Posted by Alimar Private Label on 3/7/2023 to
Education
Green tea acts as a powerful antioxidant to protect hair and skin from environmental free radical damage, while also protecting hair and skin from UV radiation.
Camellia sinensis is the plant from which the different tea varieties which we are familiar with are grown. However, the flavor and levels of active compounds present in each are a result of the different farming and processing methods. Black, white, green and matcha tea all contain polyphenolic flavonoid compounds typically referred to as catechins. It is these compounds that deliver teas’ potent antioxidant activity.
Green tea is a natural defender. Air pollution, exposure to sunlight and smoke create free radicals that damage both hair and skin. Over time the onslaught of free radicals contributes to the appearance of physical aging. Protecting ourselves from these free radicals with powerful antioxidants such as those found in green tea is vital for preventing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on our skin, and maintaining healthy shiny hair. Green tea has been consumed in eastern Asia for as many as 500,000 years and has been utilized in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines as a stimulant, diuretic and astringent.
Extracts of green tea contain the tea polyphenols (catechins): catechin, gallogatechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechingallate and epigallocatechgallate (EGCG). These polyphenols have antioxidant activity, and function as reactive oxygen species scavengers against the superoxide anion; the polyphenols also scavenge hydroxyl and peroxyl radicals while inhibiting lipid peroxidation and the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins. It is thought that these radicals increase the risk of certain cancers and are partly responsible for the physical appearance of aging. Catechins also have anti-inflammatory properties that have been helpful for treating arthritis, gout, dermatosis and other inflammatory conditions. Experiments using hairless mice demonstrate that the polyphenols in green tea extract provide significant protection against UVB-radiation. EGCG appears to have the greatest antioxidant activity and is believed to be more potent than ascorbate and reduced glutathione. It is also water-soluble so it can be used in a variety of aqueous systems. The polyphenols may also inhibit bacterial growth while acting as an astringent.
