Ingredient Spotlight: Tea Polyphenols

Ingredient Spotlight · Plant Active

Tea Polyphenols

The three-tea shield. Green, black and white tea combine their polyphenols in an antioxidant complex that defends skin against sun-induced stress and helps extend its glow.

The portrait of a botanical treasure, harvested from the same tea plant at three moments in its life.

AntioxidantSun-Stress DefenseAnti-Free RadicalRepairingTan-Extending
Shop our tea polyphenol treatments
Common name
Green tea, black tea and white tea polyphenols.
INCI name
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (all three tea colors come from the same species, processed differently).
Family, type
Theaceae; antioxidant polyphenol complex.
Found in nature
The tea plant (Camellia sinensis) grows in Asia, East Africa and a few Mediterranean regions; its leaves are harvested and processed differently depending on the tea.
How they're obtained
White tea: young buds, simply dried; green tea: leaves steamed to stop oxidation; black tea: fully oxidized leaves. Each tea is then extracted and concentrated.
Typical concentration
0.5% to 3% of the three-extract complex.
Organoleptic properties
Appearance: pale yellow to brown liquids; Scent: subtle, tea-like.
Physical characteristics
Water-soluble; rich in catechins (notably EGCG in green and white tea) and theaflavins (black tea), among the most powerful antioxidants in the plant kingdom1,2.
Benefits
Antioxidant, complementary defense against sun-induced stress, anti-free radical, soothing, tan-extending.
Cosmetic indications
Sun-exposed skin, before, during and after exposure; skin lacking radiance.

Did you know?A little history

Green, white and black tea all come from the same shrub, the tea plant: it's not the plant that changes, but how its leaves are harvested and processed.

Science has been studying their polyphenols since the 1990s, when studies showed that green tea catechins applied to the skin reduce UV-induced damage1.

Yon-Ka chose to combine all three teas rather than isolate just one: each brings a slightly different antioxidant profile, for complementary defense in our sun care.

General useWhy three teas instead of one

Each tea is rich in a slightly different family of polyphenols: white tea, the least processed, retains the highest level of active catechins; green tea brings EGCG, the most studied catechin; black tea, oxidized, offers theaflavins with complementary properties1,2.

Antioxidants don't replace sunscreen: tea polyphenols strengthen the skin's defense against free radicals generated by UV, but they never replace an SPF. Always pair them with your usual sunscreen.

Cosmetic useTheir properties on skin

  • AntioxidantTheir catechins and theaflavins neutralize free radicals generated by UV and pollution1.
  • Sun-stress defenseThey strengthen the skin's defense against sun-induced oxidative stress2.
  • SoothingThey calm feelings of heat after exposure.
  • Tan-extendingBy protecting pigment cells, they help your tan last.
  • RepairingThey support skin repair after sun exposure.
  • Anti-agingBy limiting chronic oxidative stress, they help prevent photoaging.

FormulationTea polyphenols at Yon-Ka

Three-tea complex

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (white, green, black)

The antioxidant pillar of our after-sun care: in Prolongateur de Bronzage, it helps skin recover after exposure and extends the tan.

Prolongateur de Bronzage

In cosmeticsUses

  • After-sun care and tan extenders;
  • Daily antioxidant care;
  • Face sun care, alongside UV filters.

The Yon-Ka approach

After the sun, recovery: Prolongateur de Bronzage combines the three-tea complex with vitamins E and A and imperata to soothe, regenerate and extend your tan, on the face and body.

The science of the active, the sensoriality of the plant.

How to useAdding them to your ritual

  1. Before exposure
    Your usual sunscreen in a generous layer, reapplied every two hours.
  2. After exposure
    Prolongateur de Bronzage on face and body, to calm skin and extend your tan.
  3. All year round
    Antioxidant care can also be used during the day, under your usual products.

Good to knowStorage and precautions

Tea extracts are sensitive to light and oxidation: close your bottles tightly.

Very well tolerated, with no known contraindications for topical use, including during pregnancy. Reminder: no antioxidant replaces a sunscreen, which is essential whenever you're in the sun.

Go furtherSources

  1. PubMed search on green tea polyphenols and skin protection against UV-induced damage. PubMed
  2. Camouse M.M. et al. Topical application of green and white tea extracts provides protection from solar-simulated ultraviolet light in human skin. Experimental Dermatology, 2009; 18(6): 522-526. PubMed
  3. COSMILE Europe (Cosmetics Europe), cosmetic ingredient database, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract. cosmileeurope.eu
Selection

Our tea polyphenol treatments

The Yon-Ka formulas where tea polyphenols are a key ingredient.

Explore all ingredients

The Phyto-Aromatic
Skincare Experience

www.yonka.com