The Science Stuff

The Camellia Sinensis plant's leaves, which provide us with the glorious drink we call tea, contain catechins, the fun antioxidant portion of tea. Fermenting the leaves for black tea and drying the leaves for green tea reduces the amount of catechins in the final product. However, in white tea, the young leaves and buds are left unprocessed or steamed immediately after picking. Since white tea extract has a higher catechin content than other tea, it also has higher antioxidant value. This science is interesting, but what does this have to do with skincare and your anti-aging regimen?

In a nutshell, white tea extract keeps your skin looking younger by protecting it from damage. Researchers believe that the antioxidants reduce oxidative stress to the skin. This type of stress is thought to promote skin cancer, wrinkles and uneven pigmentation. Much the same as a paint job reduces oxidation damage to vehicles, the high antioxidant value of lotions, potions, cleansers and serums containing white tea reduce the same damage to our skin.

As an anti-aging product, this extract protects your skin from more than just sun damage. I’m sure you’ve heard about collagen and elastin; in fact, you can't read a skincare article without coming across these two proteins associated with youthful skin. You may be less familiar with the enzymes MMP, or matrix metalloproteinases. All skin contains MMP, which is healthy, but the amount increases with age. Unfortunately, increased levels of MMP gobble up the collagen and elastin that keep our skin looking young. White tea extract to the rescue! Applying this extract to your skin helps inhibit the activity of MMP, so collagen and elastin perform their assigned task of maintaining your skin’s freshness while they stop functioning as appetizers for wrinkle-inducing, firmness-reducing enzymes.

Look to products like DERMAdoctor Wrinkle Revenge Rescue & Protect Eye Balm to protect your skin with white tea. Since white tea extract helps to both prevent damage and rejuvenate skin, you’re never too young or too old to incorporate this wonderful ingredient into your skincare routine. Actually, while you use the extract in lotions to reduce wrinkles, fight against sun damage and replenish firmness, you can also sip it. Drinking a cup of white tea sends this protective antioxidant and anti-aging MMP fighter into action to improve your skin from the inside.

By Jen Mathews
DERMAdoctor Staff Writer

This content is sponsored by DERMAdoctor.  The author receives compensation for its creation.  All content is the legal copyright of DERMAdoctor, Inc, and it may not be used, reprinted, or published without written consent. The information provided is for entertainment purposes only and is not intended to provide medical, legal or other professional advice.