Green Tea and EGCG in Skincare: What the Research Says About This Antioxidant

Green tea has been part of skincare conversations for years, but what does the research actually say about its star polyphenol, EGCG? Here is an honest look.

Green tea comes from the leaves of Camellia sinensis, and its most talked about compound in skincare is a polyphenol called EGCG, short for epigallocatechin-3-gallate. Like vitamin C, ferulic acid and CoQ10, green tea polyphenols are studied as antioxidants, meaning they are looked at for how they interact with free radicals. In this article we walk through what a recent review found, where the evidence is still early, and how an antioxidant like this fits into a routine you can build today.

What the recent research looked at

A 2025 scoping review followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines and gathered studies on green tea and its polyphenols, especially EGCG, in the context of skin ageing (Febrinasari et al., 2025, PMID 40969419). The authors noted that tea is known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and that skincare products often include antioxidant compounds intended to help protect skin from free radicals associated with premature ageing.

It is worth being clear about what this kind of review is. A scoping review maps out the existing literature rather than proving a specific outcome. The authors included twenty-one articles: six were in vitro (laboratory) studies, nine were reviews, and only six were controlled trials. That mix tells you the human evidence is still limited and varied, and the authors themselves concluded that further research on delivery into human skin is needed.

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory rationale

The interest in green tea sits within a broader body of work on plant-derived antioxidants in skincare. A separate 2026 review of natural antioxidants in cosmeceuticals described how many botanical extracts show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and photoprotective activity in laboratory settings, often by neutralising free radicals (review, 2026, PMID 41132114). This is the same general rationale behind daytime antioxidant use: environmental exposure, including UV light, generates free radicals, and antioxidant ingredients are studied for how they interact with that process.

The honest framing is that mechanism and early studies point in an interesting direction, but they are not the same as proof of a cosmetic benefit in everyday use. Much of the green tea evidence is laboratory based or drawn from small, heterogeneous trials.

How an antioxidant step fits a routine

Whether your antioxidant of choice is green tea polyphenols or a vitamin C serum, the practical role is similar: a lightweight daytime layer applied under sunscreen. If you want an antioxidant step you can actually buy and build a habit around right now, a stabilised vitamin C serum is an accessible starting point.

• Medik8 Super C Ferulic 30ml pairs a vitamin C form with ferulic acid as a daytime antioxidant serve.
• Medik8 C-Tetra 30ml is a gentler, oil-based vitamin C option that many people find easy to introduce.
• Apply your antioxidant serum in the morning to clean skin, then follow with moisturiser and a broad-spectrum sunscreen.
• Introduce any new active gradually, and patch test first if your skin is sensitive.

Green tea extract can be a welcome supporting ingredient when you find it in a formula, but a practical, easy-to-maintain habit for most people is a well-formulated daytime antioxidant serum used consistently alongside sun protection.

The takeaway

Green tea and EGCG are a genuinely interesting area of antioxidant research, and the 2025 scoping review gives a useful map of where things stand. But the picture is still early: much of the work is in vitro or based on a small number of controlled trials, so it is fair to be curious without overstating what any single ingredient can do. In the meantime, a well-established, easy antioxidant step such as a vitamin C serum, worn under sunscreen, is a widely used way to support your daytime routine.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. The studies cited are from peer-reviewed journals and are provided for educational context. Individual results vary. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional or dermatologist before changing your routine. Verdo Cosmetics makes no therapeutic claims about the products or services mentioned.