Ingredient Guide
EGCG
EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) is the primary antioxidant polyphenol found in green tea, used topically for antioxidant and mild anti-inflammatory support.
Evidence profile
How confident is this recommendation?
Confidence is shown in plain categories, not a numerical trust score.
Reasonable mechanism-level and some clinical support, tempered by formulation stability challenges.
Formula stability matters as much as concentration.
This is where the most consistent supporting evidence exists.
Best understood as a supportive antioxidant addition.
EGCG degrades relatively quickly when exposed to light, heat and air, which can limit its practical effectiveness in poorly formulated or packaged products.
What it is
Green tea’s primary antioxidant, with real formulation challenges.
EGCG is the most abundant and most studied polyphenol in green tea, credited with much of green tea’s antioxidant reputation in both ingested and topical research.
Its main practical limitation in skincare is stability: EGCG oxidizes relatively quickly when exposed to light, heat and air, so opaque, airtight packaging and proper formulation matter significantly for real-world performance.
Evidence at a glance
Useful evidence, with important limits.
Antioxidant support
EGCG has reasonable evidence for antioxidant activity that may help defend skin against oxidative stress.
Limit: Real-world effectiveness depends heavily on formula stability and freshness.
Anti-inflammatory and soothing benefit
Some research suggests mild anti-inflammatory properties.
Limit: Effect sizes are modest, and this is not a primary treatment for inflammatory skin conditions.
Concentration guide
Stability matters more than a specific percentage.
| Concentration or form | How to interpret it | Practical use |
|---|---|---|
| Formulated in opaque, airtight packaging | Helps preserve EGCG’s antioxidant activity over the product’s shelf life. | Prioritise packaging and freshness over percentage claims. |
Skin Candid view: A lower concentration in a well-preserved, properly packaged formula is likely more useful than a higher concentration that has already begun to oxidize.
How to use it
Use consistently, and store products away from light and heat.
Freshness matters: An older or improperly stored EGCG product may have lost much of its antioxidant activity even before you notice a visible change.
Using it with other ingredients
Reduce routine complexity before testing combinations.
Side effects and caution
Generally well tolerated.
- Irritation is uncommon at typical cosmetic concentrations.
- Those with caffeine sensitivity should note that green tea extracts may contain trace caffeine, though this is generally not a topical concern.
- Discontinue if unexpected irritation develops.
Frequently asked questions
EGCG, without the pressure to tolerate everything.
Is EGCG the same as green tea extract?
EGCG is the primary active antioxidant polyphenol within green tea extract, which contains other compounds as well.
Why does my green tea serum turn brown?
This is a sign of oxidation, meaning the antioxidant activity has likely degraded; proper storage helps slow this process.
Can EGCG replace vitamin C?
They work through related but distinct antioxidant mechanisms and are often used together rather than as substitutes for each other.
Related decisions
Continue from the question you are actually trying to solve.
Sources reviewed
Primary evidence and medical guidance behind this page
- NIH NCBI Bookshelf (StatPearls): Moisturizers
- American Academy of Dermatology: How to select a sunscreen
Sources support the general editorial conclusions shown here. They do not prove that every product containing this ingredient will produce the same result.