Many laboratory studies have shown that topical treatment or oral consumption of green tea polyphenols inhibits chemical carcinogen- or ultraviolet radiation-induced skin tumourigenesis in different animal models.
Green tea is effective in the area of skin care, particularly in alleviating the symptoms of acne and eczema. Topical green tea formulas have been shown to reduce sun damage by neutralizing free radicals and reducing inflammation. When used in a combination with sunscreen, green tea enhances sun protection. Due to the presence of antioxidants, green tea is also effective in slowing down the process of aging.
A study published in the October 2011 issue of the journal “Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications” found that EGCG inhibited melanoma in laboratory animals by inhibiting genes that activate inflammation.
Treatment of green tea polyphenols to skin has been shown to modulate the biochemical pathways involved in inflammatory responses, cell proliferation and responses of chemical tumour promoters as well as ultraviolet light-induced inflammatory markers of skin inflammation.
Green tea and skin benefits
