A growing middle class, a growing number of senior citizens around the world, the growth of online beauty spending, and even social networking (which has certainly set new trends among consumers), are all having an impact on the increasing interest in skincare products. Ingredients in cosmetics, such as natural products, are often known for their marked activity, safety and effectiveness. As a result, tea-based skincare products are seeing a significant shift in the global cosmetics market.
According to a recently published report by Future Market Insights, the global tea-based skincare products market is expected to witness a growth of 8.7 percent CAGR from 2022 to 2032. In the cosmetics industry, tea plants and their extracts, along with centuries-old practices, play a significant role. A cosmetic product that contains polyphenol-rich tea extract can have a positive effect on skin appearance and reduces erythema, skin damage and lipid peroxidation after exposure to ultraviolet light. In fact, an increasing number of cosmetics containing tea extracts, especially those produced using green tea infusions (but recently also black and white teas), encourage consumers to experience the benefits of tea in cosmetics.
Tea in the skincare world has also gained importance for its clean labels and vegan options. Of course, skincare manufacturers are differentiating the various kinds of tea – black, green, matcha, and white – based on the benefits they can have on human skin. For example, brands are using green tea mostly for its anti-inflammatory properties, kombucha tea for improving skin texture, and matcha to reverse the effects of UV rays on the skin.
In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of using green tea for sensitive skin to reduce irritation, matcha tea leaves as potent ingredients for improving skin health, and white tea for flawless beauty for consumers – all of which we’re seeing more and more of in the skincare, spa and beauty community.
For the tea industry, the opportunity is in providing tea to skincare brands and beauty companies for their line of products.
Green Tea Products for Consumers with Sensitive Skin
Of all the types of tea now used in skin and haircare products, green tea has the longest history. The leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant are – of course – used to produce green tea, also known as unoxidized tea. Plucked leaves are slightly withered and immediately cooked to preserve the green color and prevent oxidation. The chlorophyll, polyphenols and antioxidants present in green tea are much higher than the content in other types of tea. This includes epigallocatechin-3-gallate, or EGCG, which is naturally present in green tea and is being studied for its many health benefits.
Compared to all the other types of tea, it’s the most popular type of tea used in skincare. Various brands use this extract in serums, creams, toners, lotions and face masks. Even though this ingredient is suitable for everyone, it’s especially beneficial for sensitive skin types exposed to pollutants. Compounds in green tea possess significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties. With the use of green tea in a daily skincare routine, it has been observed that UV-induced redness and sunburn are reduced, as well as DNA damage.
The Neogen Green Tea Cleansing Stick, which won Teen Vogue's 2017 Acne Awards, is one of the most popular green tea products. With its green tea leaves, this green tea cleansing stick helps protect the skin. This multi-purpose cleansing stick is formulated with naturally derived ingredients that have effective natural cleansing properties. Real, crushed green tea leaves allow consumers to experience the added benefit of exfoliation. The skin cleansing formula removes impurities, makeup and dirt while leaving a fresh and moisturizing finish.
A great example is the TONYMOLY Chok Chok Green Tea Watery Cream, which contains antibacterial lemon, fermented green tea and soothing rosewood oil. The formulation is extremely light for how moisturizing and nourishing it is. Additionally, artnaturals, an online-only American company, uses Malek's lab to formulate plant-based skin and hair care products using green tea, including the popular Hair Growth Therapy Conditioner and Neck Firming Cream. It is believed that green tea contains a high number of antioxidants that can help promote hair growth, as well as catechins that inhibit DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which is one of the main causes of hair loss.
Overall, the cosmetic industry is refocusing on the benefits of green tea, such as its ability to treat melasma and psoriasis, and including these in their products. Green tea is a blessing in disguise and that is what the brands are taking advantage of in the present global plant-based cosmetic market.
Matcha Tea – an Extremely Potent Ingredient for Normal Skin
Boosted with antioxidant-rich vitamins and minerals, matcha green tea is a form of green tea. There is something special about matcha in that it is grown differently than regular green tea. To increase chlorophyll levels and amino acid production, it's covered from direct sunlight 20 to 30 days before harvest. Upon harvesting the leaves, a potent powder is made and used in various skin care products.
With this tea, one can improve inflamed skin, exfoliate it and protect it from free radical damage. Its detoxifying, cleansing and antibacterial properties make matcha an excellent treatment for those with oilier skin. Matcha can also revitalize skin that lacks oxygen due to sleepless nights, smoking and toxic pollution.
For example, KUMIKO's entire skincare product line is formulated using matcha – Japanese ancient tea used for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties – turning skincare into a ritual that slows down the passing of time. The products of KUMIKO MATCHA SKINCARE combine the latest generation of active ingredients of matcha to combat aging. As a result, these products stimulate collagen and elastin production within the skin's dermis, resulting in a complete repair.
Another example is Milk Makeup, which uses matcha in its highly-rated cleanser. The antioxidant properties of matcha are combined with ingredients such as lavender and algae extract to detoxify, hydrate, exfoliate, and target redness. Since its popularity has reached major retailers, such as Urban Outfitters, Sephora and Birchbox, matcha products are in high demand.
Matcha is also becoming more popular among beauty brands because matcha has 10 times more nutrition than regular green tea and 137 times more antioxidants. In addition, it is higher in caffeine than green tea. Combining this with its antioxidant and nutrient content makes Matcha an ideal elixir for the skin and hair. Additionally, many brands are entering into partnerships with tea firms to gain a competitive edge. As an example, Detoxie has partnered with the leading tea farm in Japan, D'matcha, which produces premium tea. To offer the highest quality green tea in Japan, D'matcha began with a vision rooted in an appreciation of Japanese tea's unique quality. It also had a passion for authenticity & holistic innovation. The beauty brand uses the leaves directly from D'matcha's gardens in their tea-based skincare products.
Brewing Natural Beauty with White Tea
White tea often contains more antioxidants than green tea because it is processed less. Since white tea contains more polyphenols than green tea, some believe that it may be better suited for cancer prevention than green tea.
White tea is said to have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. As a result, acne can be decreased by reducing inflammation and flushing out toxic substances which may be causing it. Providing skin with the benefits of antioxidants, white tea is a good candidate for fighting damage caused by the sun and environmental stressors. In addition to reducing free radical damage to the body, it can also plump and tighten the skin by reducing wrinkles and fine lines.
Origins (owned by Estee Lauder), for example, has been making white tea skincare products for several years. According to the company's materials, white tea is regarded as an ingredient that can extend lifespan and has been prized for centuries by emperors as the “Elixir of Immortality.”
White tea or white tea extract is found in a few products. Premade products are also available from various brands. Dr. Roebuck's Byron 2-in-1 Mask + Scrub, for example, cleanses, exfoliates, tightens, soothes and plumps. Another example is Lipid Kosmetik, which offers an extract of white tea for skin and hair that can be used in a wide variety of ways. The White Tea Herbasec dry extract (by Lipoid Kosmetik AG) is derived from organic, fair trade white tea leaves with natural maltodextrin as a carrier, preservative-free powder. Thus, with its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, astringent, anti-aging, and anti-microbial properties, white tea can be used in a variety of cosmetic applications.
What’s Next?
In the cosmetics industry, clean makeup and skincare products are becoming more popular. As a result of this growing demand, tea is becoming an increasingly popular ingredient in such products, making it a beauty-ingredient staple and creating valuable opportunities for the tea industry.And while drinking tea has many health benefits – including being a rich source of antioxidants and hydrating the body – applying beauty products infused with tea has numerous benefits for the skin, as well.
The industry is also keeping an eye on black tea, as it’s only now beginning to make a name for itself in the world of skincare. The most obvious feature that distinguishes black tea from the others is its color. The tannins in it protect the skin from environmental damage, fight bacteria and hydrate and nourish the skin. Furthermore, it's very high in caffeine, which means that it will soak up moisture, de-puff and firm your skin. Oily skin will also benefit from its ability to absorb excess sebum.
An example is A TRUE Spring Green Tea Watery Calming Cream, which is formulated using premium black tea water and a white tea blend. Black tea water makes this cream 70 percent antioxidant and less filler, allowing for more antioxidants.
Many brands are also looking forward to using more oolong tea in their products. In addition to its skin-friendly properties, oolong tea is also known to unclog pores, cleanse pores and reduce acne outbreaks and acne scars. It also has anti-aging properties that work wonders on fine lines and wrinkles.
Within the beauty industry, there are many new, valuable ingredients, but tea remains one of the most beneficial and exciting natural ingredients. Its essential qualities, which include being an antibacterial agent, treating acne, maintaining collagen levels, and soothing the skin, make tea a beauty ingredient essential. Cosmetics brands are steadily coming up with a wide variety of tea-infused products that will benefit the skin beyond making you look beautiful. Perhaps even tea brands may look into creating their own skincare and beauty lines, too.
Aditi Basu is the marketing head at Future Market Insights (FMI), an ESOMAR-certified market research and consulting Market Research Company. The award-winning firm is headquartered in Dubai, with offices in the United States, U.K. and India. FMI is a leading provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. Its market research reports and industry analysis help businesses navigate challenges and make critical decisions with confidence and clarity amidst breakneck competition. MarketNgage is the Market Research Subscription Platform from FMI that assists stakeholders in obtaining in-depth research across industries, markets and niche segments. To learn more about Future Market Insights, visit FutureMarketInsights.com.
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World Tea Conference + Expo, March 27-29, 2023
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