Camellia sinensis leaf extract an extract of the leaves of the tea plant camellia sinensis. Commonly referred to as green tea extract.
Contents
Uses
- Camellia sinensis leaf extract is used for its antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties.
Benefits
- Green tea extract is derived from leaves of Camellia sinensis. Green tea extract is naturally rich in antioxidants, which has a cell-protecting function as well. It’s a strong antioxidant effect that protects the skin from the damaging effect of free radicals. Green tea extract also contains the Methylxanthines that stimulates skin microcirculation and therefore positively influence the tone and health of the skin.
- Green tea extract can actually decrease wrinkles and also makes you look younger. It is useful to incorporate green tea extract into your skin care product to possibly slow down skin aging.
- Green tea extract is a good anti-inflammatory agent thereby reducing inflammation in the skin, and most importantly having an inhibitory action on collagenase (a collagen-reducing enzyme that breaks down collagen). Since green tea extract helps to inhibit collagenase, the topical use of green tea helps to promote the health and quantity of collagen, thereby maintaining a firm and elastic skin. In one clinical study is was shown that the skin had measurably more elastic tissue content after continuous application of a product containing green tea extract.
- Green tea extract appears to exert a sun protective effect by quenching free radicals and reducing inflammation. Therefore, it could apply a green tea formula under the sunscreen. It is best to combine green tea extract with zinc oxide-based sunscreens because zinc oxide is chemically inert and should not react with green tea extract.
Cautions
- Gastrointestinal Distress: High concentrations of caffeine in green tea can cause stomach cramping followed by either diarrhea or constipation. Caffeine is irritating to the digestive tract, and some people are more sensitive to its effects than others. If green tea is taken on an already weakened system, such as by a patient suffering from mild gastroenteritis, the caffeine can worsen the symptoms and may lead to cold sweats, headaches and body aches.
- Liver Damage: Camellia sinensis is banned in supplements in France and Spain, though its use in the United States is unregulated. The cause of concern is a series of studies in 2004 and 2005 linking Camellia sinensis to acute liver toxicity and even liver failure. Seventeen studies over those years found that high doses of the herb, like the doses found in commercial supplements, led to afflictions ranging from acute hepatitis to liver failure.
Interactions
Please consult a specialist to find out more about the interactions of camellia sinensis with other ingredients.
Other names
green tea
References
Source: LiveStrong, http://www.livestrong.com/article/121663-camellia-sinensis-side-effects/
TruthinAging, https://www.truthinaging.com/ingredients/camellia-sinensis-leaf
Skincareclub, https://skincareclub.wordpress.com/2011/03/20/skin-benefits-green-tea-extract/