For your skin
A polyphenol from green tea that calms UV-triggered redness and reinforces your sunscreen as a second line of antioxidant defense.
Want the science? Keep reading ↓Mechanism of action
Catechin polyphenol that quenches UV-induced reactive oxygen species and blocks UVB-driven leukocyte infiltration and inflammatory cytokine release in keratinocytes.
Why we tier this strong
7 cited papers across 4 countries. Multiple positive efficacy results plus regulatory backing. Our catalog highlights 7 cited papers as direct references, a curated sample from the broader body of published research that earns EGCG (Green Tea) its Strong tier (15+ studies including multiple RCTs or a large longitudinal cohort). See our methodology for how we evaluate evidence.
Cited research
Detudom P, Kamanamool N, Paichitrojjana A, Udompataikul P, Udompataikul M, Efficacy of anti-sebum moisturizing cream containing 2% l-carnitine and 5% epigallocatechin gallate in seborrhea, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2023;22(11):3058-3064 — Thai RCT showed EGCG-containing cream significantly reduced sebum and improved hydration in seborrhea
Ud-Din S et al., A Double-Blind, Randomized Trial Shows the Role of Zonal Priming and Direct Topical Application of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate in the Modulation of Cutaneous Scarring in Human Skin, Journal of Investigative Dermatology 2019;139(8):1680-1690 — topical EGCG reduced scar thickness weeks 1-3 and increased elasticity at week 4 vs placebo
Kim YR et al., Clinical Evaluation of a New-Formula Shampoo for Scalp Seborrheic Dermatitis Containing Rosa centifolia + EGCG: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Study, Annals of Dermatology 2014;26(6):733-8 — EGCG-containing shampoo matched ketoconazole and zinc pyrithione efficacy; faster erythema response than 1% zinc pyrithione
Jeon J et al., The Antimicrobial Activity of (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate and Green Tea Extracts against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli Isolated from Skin Wounds, Annals of Dermatology 2014;26(5):564-9 — EGCG and green tea extract inhibited drug-resistant bacteria from skin wounds, supporting topical antimicrobial adjunct use
Morley N et al. The green tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin gallate and green tea can protect human cellular DNA from ultraviolet and visible radiation-induced damage. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2005;21(1):15-22. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0781.2005.00119.x — EGCG provided concentration-dependent photoprotection to cultured human cells; peripheral blood cells after green tea consumption showed lower UV-induced DNA damage than pre-consumption baseline.
Katiyar SK, Skin photoprotection by green tea: antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects, Current Drug Targets Immune Endocrine Metabolic Disorders 2003;3(3):234-42
Katiyar SK, Matsui MS, Elmets CA, Mukhtar H, Polyphenolic antioxidant (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate from green tea reduces UVB-induced inflammatory responses and infiltration of leukocytes in human skin, Photochemistry and Photobiology 1999;69(2):148-53
Sources: 10 clinical journals and regulatory databases across the US, EU, Korea, Japan, and China. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for the full list and what each outcome label means.