Green Tea Extract: Topical Antioxidant

Generally with topical antioxidants, Vitamin C (and it's various forms/derivatives) is the first thing that come to mind. What many people don't know is that green tea extract is actually an effective topical antioxidant. The skin benefits of green tea are vast, and actually differ from Vitamin C in many ways, but still pack an antioxidant punch,

Antioxidants lighten skin by warding off free radicals, which can contribute to darkening (triggering a defense response in skin cells aka increase in melanin production) and accelerated aging (damaging/mutating skin cells).

There are a couple of studies out there that prove that green tea and it's various compositions (i.e. flavanoids etc.) contribute to tyronaise (enzyme that creates melanin) supression and removal of hyperpigmentation. Skin lightening is evident after using decent enough concentrations (in a cosmetically tolerable method) of green tea extract.

Green Tea is anti-inflammatory (which is great for people who are trying to lighten their skin tone, since a regimen lacking inflammation produces better/faster results) which is something Vitamin C lacks. Inflammation triggers a reaction in melanocytes which increases as a defense: http://www.freshpatents.com/-dt20091022ptan20090263513.php

The skin lightening effect of green tea was proven in a study conducted at Memorial Medical Center (by Jennifer Gan Wong, M.D.). The study consisted of acne sufferers who were divided into 2 groups - one being treated by a 4% benzoyl peroxide cream, and the other by a 3% green tea extract cream. Both creams were applied twice a day (morning and night) for 12 weeks.

By the end of the 12th week, the green tea cream lightened patients' skin color and improved their overall skin complexion. Dark spots, acne marks, hyperpigmentation and overall clarity were improved. The acne was also subsided similarily to the use of Benzoyl Peroxide, however without the pro-oxidant damage, irritation, and acne marks. Green tea is the opposite of Benzoyl Peroxide in that it is an anti-oxidant, and still has the ability to fight off acne as well as lighten skin tone.

http://www.pristineskincare.com/research.htm
http://www.articles-central.info/Art/139944/74/Learn-about-Acne-Green-Tea.html

Green tea extract can be utilized in powder form (soluble), aquaeous form (in a gel or serum or cleanser), or alcoholic form (toner). It is a much more stable topical antioxidant in comparison to L-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C).

I'm not exactly sure how the powder version of green tea extract can be used, but it's recommended that the polyphenol content is 65 wt % of the green tea powder. The polyphenol usually is listed in percentages on the ingredient list, or by contacting the manufacturer. It is also important that the polyphenol content contains ECG, and EGCG, which are the root of the 'free radical scavenging' abilities.

The antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and melanin inhibiting effects of green tea extract are definitley impressive. The only problem is that most skin care companies/products feature this ingredient or have high enough concentrations (3% or higher). The only ones I seem to know of are:

Green Tea Botanicals Green Tea Fading Complex
Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Revitalizing Essence
Reversa Antioxidant Booster Serum with Green Tea
Organic Green Tea Skin Lightening Gel
GreenTeaSkin Daily Cream.

For those who cannot tolerate Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and experience redness, or itchiness from it can look into green tea topicals as an alternative. I personally wouldn't say that green tea is as effective in skin lightening as Vitamin C, since the the EGCG amount, and overall free radical scavenging abilities of L-ascorbic acid are greater than green tea. However I will say it is a valid alternative, and definitley can help with hyperpigmentation and other skin lightening issues.
=D