title: The use of green tea extract in cosmetic formulations: not only an antioxidant active ingredient.
abstract: Green tea (GT) extracts contain polyphenols, known to be effective free radical scavengers, and other ingredients that could also provide benefits to the skin. This is a report on clinical studies using objective, noninvasive methods to evaluate the effects of cosmetic formulations containing GT. Experimental formulations were supplemented or not (vehicle) with 6% Camellia sinensis glycolic leaf extracts (GT). These formulations were applied to the forearm skin of 24 volunteers, and their effects were evaluated before and after 2 hours, 15 and 30 days according to the following parameters: stratum corneum water content, transepidermal water loss, skin viscoelastic-to-elastic ratio (Uv/Ue), and microrelief. The volunteers were instructed not to apply any formulation in an area of the forearm (control area). Experimental formulations (GT) increased skin moisture in the long-term study, indicating that GT has a prolonged moisturizing effect. The Uv/Ue was significantly enhanced after 30 days of topical application of the experimental formulation when compared with vehicle and control. After 15-30 days, skin microrelief was significantly improved due to a reduction in skin roughness. The results suggest that GT-containing cosmetic formulations have pronounced moisturizing effects and improve skin microrelief.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mirela D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Gianeti
authors.forename: Daiane G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Mercurio
authors.forename: Patricia M B G Maia
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Campos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects; D013662:Tea
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D003358:Cosmetics; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013662:Tea