BOTANICAL EXTRACT
Black Tea Leaf Extract
Camellia Sinensis (Black Tea) Leaf Extract
An extract of oxidised tea leaves, rich in theaflavins and other tea polyphenols, used for antioxidant support and a fresh, toned feel on skin.
Source
Leaves of the tea plant, rolled and oxidised
Used for
Antioxidant support, tired-looking skin
How it works
Tea leaves, deepened by oxidation.
Black tea is made from the same plant as green and white tea, Camellia sinensis. After picking, the leaves are rolled and left to oxidise, a step tea makers call fermentation. During this step the leaf's catechins react together to form new, deeply coloured polyphenols, the theaflavins, which give black tea its colour and character.
These theaflavins are antioxidants. In laboratory research on human skin cells, theaflavins from black tea helped the cells hold up against UVB light. This is the kind of everyday environmental stress that antioxidants in skincare are chosen to help skin face.
In cosmetics, tea leaf extract is listed with antioxidant, astringent, skin conditioning and tonic functions. Black tea extract brings a fresh, toned feel to eye creams, masks and cleansers, and suits use morning or night.
These theaflavins are antioxidants. In laboratory research on human skin cells, theaflavins from black tea helped the cells hold up against UVB light. This is the kind of everyday environmental stress that antioxidants in skincare are chosen to help skin face.
In cosmetics, tea leaf extract is listed with antioxidant, astringent, skin conditioning and tonic functions. Black tea extract brings a fresh, toned feel to eye creams, masks and cleansers, and suits use morning or night.
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01
Theaflavins and other tea polyphenols with antioxidant activity
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02
A fresh, toned feel, from tea's astringent character
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03
Helps skin face everyday environmental stress
Questions
How is black tea different from green and white tea?
All three come from Camellia sinensis. Black tea is the one whose leaves are fermented (oxidised) after picking, which turns some of the leaf's catechins into larger polyphenols and gives black tea its dark colour. Green and white teas skip this step. (Tenore et al., 2015; Zhao et al., 2026)
What are theaflavins?
Theaflavins are polyphenols that form when tea catechins react during black tea fermentation. They are characteristic of black tea and, in laboratory work on human skin cells, theaflavins helped the cells stand up to UVB light. (Zhao et al., 2026; Zheng et al., 2021)
Why is black tea popular in eye care?
Tea leaf extract is listed in cosmetics as an astringent and tonic ingredient, meaning it gives a pleasant, toned, refreshed feel on skin. That makes it a natural fit for eye creams and masks designed to leave skin looking fresher. (COSMILE Europe)
About the plant
Black, green and white teas are made from the buds and leaves of Camellia sinensis. For black tea, the leaves go through enzymatic oxidation, which forms condensed polyphenols responsible for its typical colour and taste. (Tenore et al., 2015)
In skincare the leaf is used as an extract that carries these tea polyphenols. (COSMILE Europe)
In skincare the leaf is used as an extract that carries these tea polyphenols. (COSMILE Europe)
The research
- Zheng X, Feng M, Wan J, Shi Y, Xie X, Pan W, Hu B, Wang Y, Wen H, Wang K, Cai S. Anti-damage effect of theaflavin-3'-gallate from black tea on UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells by photoprotection and maintaining cell homeostasis. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology. 2021;224:112304. PMID: 34536907. (opens in a new tab)
- Zhao Y, Liang J, Cao H, Xiao J. Theaflavins as characteristic polyphenols formed during black tea fermentation: Formation chemistry, functional properties, and future food applications. Food Chemistry. 2026;518:149568. PMID: 42119425. (opens in a new tab)
- Tenore GC, Daglia M, Ciampaglia R, Novellino E. Exploring the nutraceutical potential of polyphenols from black, green and white tea infusions: an overview. Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. 2015;16(3):265-271. PMID: 25601602. (opens in a new tab)
- COSMILE Europe (Cosmetics Europe) cosmetic ingredient database: Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (plant: Assam tea, black tea, Chinese tea, green tea; leaves; solvent extract; functions include antioxidant, humectant, skin conditioning, emollient, skin protecting, tonic, astringent) (opens in a new tab)
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