TLDR Green tea may help with skin health and protect against UV damage, but more research is needed to confirm its safety and effectiveness.
The document from 2015 reviews the dermatological benefits of green tea and its major constituent, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). It highlights green tea's anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and chemopreventive properties, and its use in treating cutaneous viral infections, such as external genital warts. Green tea extracts have been shown to offer UV protection, potentially reduce skin cancer risk, and have beneficial effects on several dermatological diseases. The polyphenols in green tea may also contribute to sunscreen protection, anti-aging cosmetic products, and have shown efficacy against HPV-induced skin conditions and possibly HIV replication. Green tea could be beneficial for inflammatory skin diseases and hair disorders like androgenetic alopecia. However, the document emphasizes the need for more rigorous studies to confirm the efficacy and safety of green tea in dermatology.
19 citations,
August 2010 in “Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft” Certain plant extracts can effectively treat skin conditions like athlete's foot, chronic vein problems, sun damage, skin growths, vitiligo, and hair loss, and may also improve skin appearance.
3 citations,
June 2009 in “The journal of alternative and complementary medicine/Journal of alternative and complementary medicine” Green tea extract may help reduce excessive hair growth.
108 citations,
November 2006 in “Phytomedicine” Green tea component EGCG could potentially promote human hair growth.
41 citations,
July 2015 in “Current Drug Discovery Technologies” Some plants may help with hair growth and have fewer side effects than synthetic drugs, but more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness.
39 citations,
September 2013 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology” Herbs can potentially treat hair loss by inhibiting a key enzyme and promoting hair growth, and deficiencies in zinc, biotin, and iron are linked to hair loss.
11 citations,
January 2017 in “Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine” DA-5512 effectively improves hair growth and health, performing better than minoxidil.
1 citations,
May 2021 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology” Cosmetic foam product reduces hair loss and increases hair density in men.
67 citations,
November 2019 in “Molecules” Tea, especially green tea, shows promise in cosmetics for skin and hair benefits but more research is needed for effective use.
