We all know that tea is enjoyed as a drink, but its benefits can be reaped in other ways, such as the use of tea extracts in skincare products.
When one talks about the benefits of tea extracts, most people recall green tea as one of the key ingredients in the skincare industry.
But what if one day you were asked to add a skincare product into your regiment that contains White tea extract?
Considering the benefits of Green tea extracts, it is probably worth the investment to add a white tea extract-containing product into daily use.
There is a long list of benefits that you can gain by simply adding one extra ingredient into your routine.
What is White tea extract?
White tea extract similar to Green tea extract is harvested from the Camellia Sinensis tea plant. The white tea leaves are plucked young in their immature stage, giving the leaves a fuzzy appearance. These tea leaves turn white when dried, and it undergoes minimal processing.
Products which White tea extract
White tea extract is an ingredient that is used in most cosmetic products, from cream to lotions, cleaners, and shampoo. It is often used in combination with other ingredients such as aloe Vera.
When used with aloe Vera, White tea extract can help treat skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and sunburns. Some products add this extract to their ingredient list. But in case of White tea extract isn’t an active ingredient, you can add a few drops into your product before application.
What are the benefits of using White tea extract?
We all know the benefits of consuming Green tea but rarely do we discuss the benefits of its younger sister, the White Tea.
What should be known is that White tea offers many more benefits than Green tea, especially when used in skincare products.
White tea extract and its effect against pollutants
Free radicals are the unstable molecules that we all try to run away from since it is known to causing wrinkles, dark spots and accelerate the skins aging process.
One such ingredient which can combat against free radicals in the presence of antioxidants in our products.
Air pollution, smoke from cigarettes, and car engines are some of the few environmental factors known to contribute to the increased amount of free radicals.
This is where White tea extract plays its role.
When consumed, White tea does not provide the full antioxidant benefit that it contains. Hence, the antioxidant property of White tea can be absorbed by the skin when used as White tea extract.
White tea extract and its effect against sun damage
Some ingredients in White tea extracts are known to combat against damaging effects of the sun.
However, this does not mean that you should stop using sunscreen since UV rays can still penetrate the skin.
Therefore, applying products that include White tea extract can help against the aging effect of UV rays.
The method through which it does this is by inhibiting the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP).
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) is an enzyme that is known to act against the skin elastin and collagen proteins, both of which are responsible for providing the youthful appearance we all have.
White tea extract breakdown this enzyme, reducing its quantity, thereby preventing loose and sagging skin.
- White tea extract and its effect against bacteria and acne
White tea extract has been scientifically proven to contain antifungal and antibacterial agents. Since most acne results from bacteria on the skin, using White tea extract can help prevent the growth and appearance of acne.
White tea extract and its benefit in reducing the incidence of heart diseases
White tea extract is known to contain polyphenols, which can help with relaxing the blood vessels and thereby contributing to low blood pressure. Moreover, polyphenols are known to act on LDL cholesterol prevent its oxidation.
You can add White tea extract to your plain water and drink it 3 times a day to reduce the risk of heart disease by 21%.
White tea extract and weight loss
We all know the struggle of gaining extra weight every now and then. As we age, the slowed metabolism is our biggest culprit in the weight gain process. White tea extract is known to target fat cells and enhance their breakdown.
The proper method of action through which White tea extract helps with weight loss is known to be targeted minimization of adipogenesis (the formation of fat cells) and acceleration of lipolysis.
White tea extract and its effect against insulin resistance
Insulin resistance is known to cause many conditions, such as type 2 diabetes (adult-onset diabetes) and various cardiac conditions. The substance called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in White tea extract, which is categorized as catechin, plays a major role against insulin resistance.
This catechin improves the body’s response to insulin, thereby reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other heart conditions.
White tea extract and oral health
Fluoride, catechins, and tannins are a few of the substances found in White tea extracts that are known to promote oral health. Since White tea extract is known to have antibacterial properties when consumed, it also combats against oral bacteria.
The antibacterial properties and the fluoride present can reduce the chances of oral cavities. Moreover, the tannins in the White tea extract are known to inhibit the growth and formation of plaques.
White tea extract and cancer
Research showed that when white tea extract was used, it caused multiple cell deaths in several types of lung cancer. Further researches went on to show the same effect on colon cancer cells. The science behind it is said to be due to the antioxidant properties of White tea extract, but the exact cause is still unknown.
Frequently asked questions about White tea extract
Does White tea extract contain more antioxidants than Green tea extract?
White tea extract does contain more antioxidants than Green tea extract due to the fact that it undergoes minimal processing.
Which polyphenols in White tea extract are known to combat inflammation?
White tea extract contains many polyphenols which provide various different benefits, but the polyphenols named Catechins are responsible for combating inflammation.