White Tea Extract For Skincare

White, green, and black teas are all made from common ingredients but are processed differently, giving them distinct scents and flavors.

In fact, white tea stands out from the rest as it undergoes the least processing, preserving a high level of antioxidants and anti-aging properties. This, along with other natural components, is what gives this herbal product many health benefits.

This article, therefore, covers the benefits of white tea extract for skincare and other health-related effects.

What is white tea extract?

White tea (Camellia Sinensis) extract is a herbal product produced mainly in Asia. It has protective catechins for improved cellular protection, a healthy digestive tract, and better natural immunity. 

White tea is particularly appreciated for its positive effects on overall skin health and appearance, giving users a smooth and youthful look.

How is white tea extract made?

White tea is made from young, withered, and dried white buds, which are harvested early in the year, a few days in spring. 

The buds are picked immature (before opening fully) and dried naturally indoors, allowing their fine silvery hair to turn white. The natural lighting during the harvest season helps to retain the buds’ high concentration of powerful antioxidants.

As a result, white tea extract is not a finished cosmetic product, but rather a raw/unprocessed ingredient that can be used to make cosmetics or added to existing finished skincare products.

It is manufactured with pesticide-free materials and goes through a cold process to retain and ensure its effectiveness.

What plant does white tea extract come from?

This product is made from the leaves of Camellia Sinensis, a plant rich in catechins – the antioxidant substance found in tea. Unlike in green and black tea, where the leaves are fermented and dried, white tea extract comes in its purest form, giving it a higher antioxidant value for smoother and healthier skin.

White tea extract benefits for skin

1. Protects the skin from sun damage

White tea’s natural components have high levels of antioxidants, which minimize oxidative stress to the skin. This stress can enhance the development of wrinkles and uneven pigmentation. Therefore, a high concentration of antioxidants in products, such as lotions, serums, and cleansers, cover the skin, protecting it from cell-damage.

Catechins, the main component found in white tea extract, is a plant-based micronutrient known as a polyphenol. It carries antioxidant value, enabling it to safeguard the skin from damage from free radicals. 

White teas are highly effective in fighting free radicals, which can cause chronic inflammation of the human skin cells, among other health conditions.

2. Skin-soothing properties

White tea extract also enhances the overall health and appearance of the skin, giving it a smooth look and feel. 

After testing 21 plant and herb extracts for health properties, researchers from the School of Life Sciences at London-based Kingston University have discovered that white tea outperforms other teas. It protects the skin’s structural proteins, such as elastin and collagen, leading to improved elasticity and rejuvenated complexion.

White tea also has properties that inhibit the activity of enzymes responsible for breaking down elastin and collagen.

Enzymes and oxidants cause inflammatory conditions; hence, the intake of antioxidants found in white tea extract can improve the skin’s texture and appearance. Elastin also has soothing properties as it helps skin tissues to repair and heal from wounds.

How to use white tea extract for the face?

You can buy white tea extract at stores or online and apply it topically on the skin after diluting it with water. You can also add it to your favorite face mask recipe for improved performance.

You can make white tea face wash using the following simple steps:

• Shake well
• Add 1-2 drops (1 to 2 ml) in 8 fl ounce of hot water – keep temperatures at 170-185F or 76-85oC
• Allow the tea to cool
• Use cotton balls to apply to face
• Rinse face using cool water
• Do this twice daily

How to take white tea extract?

You can use white tea extract as a dietary supplement. Shake the extract well before use then add 1-2 drops of 8 fl ounce of water. Steep it for 2-5 minutes to get your desired flavor.

Due to its delicate flavor, it is recommended that you take this tea without cream, milk, sugar, or honey. You can take it twice daily.

The precise dosage is as directed by your healthcare professional. Remember to check the guidelines for product usage before taking it orally as some extracts are meant for external use only.

3. Anti-aging effects

Protects the skin from external and internal aging

White tea extract is effective in restoring the natural skin immunity to oxidation stress, a condition that arises due to prolonged exposure to the sun. 

When applied to the skin, this tincture inhibits the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), an enzyme responsible for interfering with the operation of collagen and elastin. As you age, MMP levels increase, causing tired and loose skin.

Applying white tea extract daily is a sure way of keeping your skin fresh, firm, and free from wrinkles and external aging. 

The compounds found in this extract can also prevent your skin from the effects of internal aging. The polyphenols can inhibit various cellular activities, which damage the fiber network that keeps the skin tight and firm.

4. Treatment for skin bacteria and acne

White tea is also good for killing germs and bacteria. Studies show that this extract is significantly effective in fighting antiviral and antifungal infections. These findings provide a source of knowledge for scientists to develop preventative drugs in the future.

Acne sufferers can use white tea extract to control against bacteria, as well as reduce breakouts. They can also take two cups of this tea daily to flush out toxins responsible for skin damage.

5. Non-artificial ingredients

Raw material source – white tea extract is manufactured using natural substances, which include Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) and glycerin made of naturally-derived oils. These organic materials are pesticide-free, giving you a healthy concentrate for smooth and young skin.

How much caffeine is in white tea extract?

White tea extract is rich in caffeine, a useful compound in burning body fat, and improving body metabolism. However, caffeine might have negative side effects on some users. 

America’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates that green or black tea can have between 30 and 50 mg of caffeine, but white tea has the least levels of caffeine out of the three beverages.

The precise amount of caffeine in white tea extract can vary depending on the plant and the region where it was grown – traditional Fujian white tea, for instance, is said to be low in caffeine content. Nonetheless, the FDA recommends that consuming below 400 milligrams a day is safe.

Still, sensitivity to caffeine depends on the individual user, but vendors may list the specific caffeine information on the product.

Skincare products that use white tea extract

Creams, lotions, and shampoo

White tea extract is often used as an important natural ingredient in cleansers, creams, lotions, and shampoo, keeping your skin, hair, and scalp healthy. This natural remedy is recommended for dry and itchy skin.

When mixed with aloe vera and dill seed extract, white tea extract is the best solution for skin care problems, such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, elastin, and collagen regeneration. If used consistently, this mixture can serve as a moisturizer, as well as a cure for sunburns and wounds.

Application method

• Add some cream, lotion, or shampoo to the palm
  of your hand
  
• Add a few drops of white tea extract
• Mix them by rubbing then apply to the skin

Alternatively,

• Microwave your cream, lotion, or shampoo for a few seconds
• Pour the contents into a bowl
• Add 10 to 20 drops of white tea extract per ounce of the product
• Mix and pour back into the bottle
• Apply to the skin or scalp as desired

Other benefits of white tea extract

1. Reduces exposure to heart disease

According to findings by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the main cause of death in the U.S. – that is, 1 in every 4 deaths is linked to this condition.

White tea extract is effective in reducing the risk of heart disease as it has polyphenols, which help to relax blood vessels. These substances also help to prevent the oxidizing of LDL cholesterol, which is bad for the heart.

Scientists have reported that drinking 3 or more cups of white tea extract per day can reduce exposure to heart disease by up to 21%.

2. Inhibits obesity

According to a 2009 study, the anti-obesity effects of white tea were confirmed on human fat cells. The results showed that white tea extract enhanced the breakdown of fat found in these cells. This beverage was also found to be responsible for lowering the development of genes in charge of the growth of new fat cells.

In another study, white tea extract can effectively minimize adipogenesis (the formation of fat cells) and enhance lipolysis-activity (the breakdown of fats). Its natural elements can, therefore, be used to regulate the levels of the adipocyte life cycle.

White tea, as per these studies, may be recommended as a natural remedy for slimming products. It is, however, not confirmed if the extract can fight obesity when sipped, as opposed to administering it artificially.

3. Reduces resistance to insulin

Insulin helps to transport nutrients from the bloodstream into the cells for use or storage. However, factors such as high sugar consumption can cause insulin resistance, where the body stops responding to insulin.

Insulin resistance is associated with many adverse health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Luckily, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a type of catechin, and other polyphenols in white tea extract can improve the body’s response to insulin, hence, reducing the risk of insulin resistance.

Takeaway

White tea extract carries antioxidants, which give it a variety of health benefits. With multiple studies linking catechins in this tea to skin-soothing and anti-aging effects, look out for skincare products that use this wonderful ingredient.

With love,
aspurely.