Green Tea Extract — Allergy Risk & Safety Profile
INCI: CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT
Also known as: EGCG, Green Tea Polyphenols
Key Facts
- CAS Number
- 84650-60-2
- Category
- antioxidant
- Risk Level
- low
- Common Allergen
- No
- Found In
- serum, moisturizer, toner
Is Green Tea Extract safe in cosmetics?
Green Tea Extract is rated low risk in cosmetic products. It is not classified as a common allergen and is generally well-tolerated by most skin types. Commonly found in serum, moisturizer, toner.
What is Green Tea Extract?
Rich in EGCG polyphenols. Potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and photoprotective.
Allergy & Safety Information
Green Tea Extract is considered safe for cosmetic use. No significant safety concerns have been identified at typical use concentrations. As with any cosmetic ingredient, discontinue use if irritation occurs.
This ingredient is considered low risk from an allergenicity perspective. Reactions are uncommon at typical cosmetic use concentrations. However, no ingredient is universally safe — if you notice redness, itching, or irritation after using a product containing this ingredient, discontinue use and monitor whether symptoms resolve.
About Antioxidant Ingredients
Antioxidants neutralise free radicals generated by UV radiation, pollution, and metabolic processes, preventing oxidative damage to skin cells and the product formula itself. Common cosmetic antioxidants include tocopherol (vitamin E), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), BHT, and plant-derived polyphenols.
Relevance for Green Tea Extract: Most antioxidants are well-tolerated, but some — particularly propyl gallate, BHA (butylhydroxyanisole), and certain plant-derived polyphenols — are recognised contact allergens. Vitamin E (tocopherol) allergy, while uncommon, is occasionally identified in patch testing.
How to Identify Green Tea Extract in Products
Cosmetic ingredients are listed by their INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) name in descending order of concentration. To check whether a product contains Green Tea Extract, scan the ingredient list for its INCI name exactly as it appears above. Ingredients present at 1% or less may appear in any order after the 1% threshold.
Product types to prioritise checking: Serum, Moisturizer, Toner. These product categories are the most common sources of Green Tea Extract exposure based on formulation data.
Not sure if your products contain Green Tea Extract? Paste the ingredient list into the free ingredient checker to scan for Green Tea Extract and other allergens automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Green Tea Extract safe for sensitive skin?
Green Tea Extract is generally well-tolerated, even by sensitive skin types.
What products contain Green Tea Extract?
Green Tea Extract is commonly found in serum, moisturizer, toner.
What does Green Tea Extract do in cosmetics?
Green Tea Extract functions as a antioxidant in formulations.
Related Guides
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