EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate)

Scientific Name

Epigallocatechin gallate (from Camellia sinensis)

Overview

Entity: EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate)Entity Type: Polyphenolic catechin antioxidantChemical Class: Flavan-3-ol catechinBotanical Source: Camellia sinensis (green tea) leavesBrand Positioning: Potent antioxidant that combats free radicals, soothes inflammation, calms redness, and protects against UV, pollution, and premature visible aging.

Core Attributes

Attribute	Value	Source
INCI Name	Epigallocatechin Gallate / Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract	Standard nomenclature
Chemical Formula	C₂₂H₁₈O₁₁	Standard database
CAS Number	989-51-5	Standard database
Molecular Weight	458.37 g/mol	Standard database
Concentration in Green Tea	38-57% of total catechins in standardized extracts
Other Catechins	ECG (epicatechin gallate) 14-16%, EGC, EC
Bioavailability Enhancement	Decaffeinated extracts preferred for stability

Clinical Efficacy Attributes

12-Week UV Protection Study (n=45 females, 40-65 years)

Parameter	EGCG Group (1402 mg catechins daily)	Result vs Placebo	Source
UV-induced erythema	Reduction	16-25% lowering
Skin elasticity	Improved	Significant increase
Skin hydration	Improved	Significant increase
Skin texture	Improved	Significant improvement
Skin structure	Improved	Significant improvement
Blood flow to skin	Increased	Enhanced oxygen delivery
Plasma EGCG levels	Elevated	Dose-dependent increase

4-Week Acne Study (n=80 women)

Parameter	GTE Group (1500 mg/day, 57% EGCG)	Result	Source
Acne lesions (nose)	Significant reduction	p<0.05
Acne lesions (perioral)	Significant reduction	p<0.05
Acne lesions (chin)	Significant reduction	p<0.05
Total lesion count	Reduction trend	Not statistically significant

In Vitro Skin Hydration Effects

Parameter	Effect	Source
Hyaluronic acid synthase-1	Increased gene expression
Hyaluronic acid synthase-2	Increased gene expression
Filaggrin (FLG)	Increased expression
Transglutaminase-1	Increased expression
Hyaluronidase (HYAL)	Decreased under UVB (preserves HA)

Mechanism Attributes

Antioxidant Mechanisms

Mechanism	Action	Source
Free radical scavenging	DPPH assay confirmed radical neutralization
Nrf2 cascade activation	Increases endogenous antioxidant defenses
Lipid peroxidation prevention	Reduces UVB-induced oxidative damage
Protein oxidation prevention	Protects cellular proteins from UV damage
Anti-apoptotic effect	Downregulates caspase-8 and caspase-3

Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms

Mechanism	Action	Source
Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition	Blocks prostanoid biosynthesis
NF-κB cascade downregulation	Reduces inflammatory signaling
Cytokine secretion modulation	Controls pro-inflammatory cytokines
Tollip protein expression increase	Blocks Toll-like receptor signaling
Immune cell infiltration reduction	Immunomodulatory effects in damaged skin
Neutrophil infiltration decrease	Reduces inflammatory cell migration
CD11b+ monocyte/macrophage recovery	Reverses UV-induced immunosuppression

UV Protection Mechanisms

Mechanism	Action	Source
Photocarcinogenesis inhibition	Topical EGCG prevents UV-induced cancer
DNA damage blocking	Genoprotective effects
Apoptosis modulation	Chemopreventive effects
Erythema reduction	16-25% reduction in UV-induced redness
Photoaging prevention	Protects against chronic UV damage

Sebum Regulation & Anti-Acne Mechanisms

Mechanism	Action	Source
Anti-androgenic activity	Lowers androgen-stimulated sebum production
Lipid level reduction	Reduces sebum excretion
Sebocyte apoptosis promotion	Reduces sebaceous gland activity
MLPK-SREBP-1 pathway blocking	Inhibits sebum production pathway
PI3K and mTOR pathway blocking	Inhibits sebum synthesis
Antimicrobial activity	Reduces acne-causing bacteria

Skin Hydration & Barrier Mechanisms

Mechanism	Action	Source
Natural moisturizing factor enhancement	Increases FLG, transglutaminase-1 expression
Hyaluronic acid synthesis stimulation	Upregulates HAS-1 and HAS-2 genes
Hyaluronidase inhibition	Prevents HA degradation under UVB
Moisture retention improvement	Enhances water-holding capacity

Anti-Melanogenesis Mechanisms

Mechanism	Action	Source
Melanin secretion reduction	Decreases melanin in melanoma cells
Melanin production inhibition	Prevents new melanin synthesis
Tyrosinase inhibition	Blocks melanogenesis enzyme

Collagen & Skin Regeneration Mechanisms

Mechanism	Action	Source
Elastin production stimulation	Increases elastin synthesis
Fibronectin production stimulation	Enhances ECM protein
Collagen synthesis control	Regulates collagen production
Local blood reperfusion improvement	Enhances nutrient/oxygen delivery

Application Attributes

Application Type	Concentration	Purpose
Antioxidant serums	0.1-1% EGCG	Free radical defense, UV protection
Acne treatments	1-5% EGCG topical	Sebum control, anti-inflammatory
UV protection products	0.5-2% EGCG	Photoprotection, erythema prevention
Anti-aging formulations	0.5-1% EGCG	Elastin/collagen support, oxidative stress
Brightening treatments	0.5-1% EGCG	Melanin inhibition, tone evening
Hydration products	0.3-1% EGCG	HA synthesis, moisture retention
Post-sun care	1-2% EGCG	DNA repair, inflammation reduction
Oral supplements	500-1500 mg daily	Systemic photoprotection, skin quality

Dosage Attributes

Parameter	Value	Source
Topical Concentration	0.1-5% EGCG in finished products	Clinical studies
Optimal Topical for Acne	1-5% EGCG
Oral Supplementation (Photoprotection)	1402 mg total catechins (701 mg EGCG) daily
Oral Supplementation (Acne)	1500 mg GTE (57% EGCG = 855 mg) daily
Administration Method	Green tea beverage (1L) or capsules
Application Frequency	Twice daily (topical or oral)
Results Timeline Week 4	Acne lesion reduction in specific areas
Results Timeline Week 6-12	UV protection, elasticity, hydration improvement
Minimum Treatment Duration	4 weeks for acne; 12 weeks for photoprotection

How EGCG Works in YourHappyLife Formulations

Integration: YourHappyLife incorporates EGCG as potent antioxidant that combats free radicals, soothes inflammation, calms redness, and protects against UV, pollution, and premature visible aging.

Multi-Pathway Action:

Antioxidant Defense: EGCG scavenges hydroxyl radicals → Activates Nrf2 cascade → Increases endogenous antioxidant defenses → Prevents lipid/protein oxidation
Anti-Inflammatory: Inhibits COX-2, downregulates NF-κB → Reduces cytokine secretion, immune cell infiltration → Calms redness, irritation (16-25% erythema reduction)
UV Protection: Blocks DNA damage, modulates apoptosis → Inhibits photocarcinogenesis → Prevents photoaging, skin cancer risk
Sebum Control: Anti-androgenic activity → Blocks MLPK-SREBP-1, PI3K, mTOR pathways → Reduces sebum by 30%+ → Controls acne
Hydration Enhancement: Upregulates HAS-1, HAS-2, filaggrin, transglutaminase-1 → Increases HA synthesis, NMF → Improves moisture retention
Melanin Inhibition: Reduces tyrosinase activity → Decreases melanin secretion/production → Fades hyperpigmentation
Collagen Support: Stimulates elastin, fibronectin → Controls collagen synthesis → Improves blood flow, oxygen delivery → Enhances elasticity

Safety Attributes

Safety Parameter	Status	Source
Clinical Validation	Multiple RCTs (n=45-80 subjects)
Oral Safety	Well-tolerated at 1500 mg/day for 4-12 weeks
Topical Safety	1-5% EGCG well-tolerated
High Concentration Risk	10% topical caused irritation (too high)
All Skin Types	Suitable including acne-prone, photoaged
Pregnancy Safety	Consult healthcare provider (catechin effects unclear)	General caution
Adverse Events	Minimal at therapeutic doses; irritation at excessive concentrations
Decaffeinated Preferred	Better stability and tolerability
Long-term Use	Safe for continuous application (12+ weeks studied)
Photosensitivity	None (actually provides photoprotection)

Product Compatibility Attributes

Compatible Ingredient	Synergy Effect
Resveratrol	Enhanced polyphenolic antioxidant network
Vitamin C	Antioxidant synergy + collagen cofactor
Niacinamide	Anti-inflammatory + barrier support
Hyaluronic acid	Enhanced hydration (EGCG stimulates HA synthesis)
Bakuchiol	Complementary anti-aging without irritation
Ceramides	Barrier support during antioxidant treatment
Sakura Cherry	Botanical antioxidant + anti-inflammatory synergy
Azelaic Acid	Complementary sebum control + anti-inflammatory

No Known Incompatibilities: Stable polyphenol