Cosmetics · Plant extracts
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (Japanese Tea)
チャ葉エキス (Cha-ha ekisu)
Also known as: Green Tea Extract, Japanese Green Tea Extract
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| Category | Cosmetics |
|---|---|
| INCI name | Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract↗ |
| Japanese labeling name | チャ葉エキス |
| Common Japanese notations | チャ葉エキス, 緑茶エキス |
| Origin | Plant-derived (Camellia sinensis) |
| Typical functions | Antioxidant, Astringent, Skin conditioning |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Cosmetic ingredient listed in the JSCI (Japanese Cosmetic Industry Association) labeling name dictionary. The same leaf base produces food and beverage teas under separate regulatory frameworks. |
Camellia sinensis leaf extract — usually sourced in Japan from green tea leaves grown in Shizuoka, Kagoshima, Mie, and other major tea regions — is one of the most widely used cosmetic ingredients in the country. Its catechin content, led by epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), underpins its positioning as a natural antioxidant.
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Classification
Tags below link to other ingredients sharing the same attribute, so you can pivot from one ingredient to its peers.
Product applications
Functions
Origin
Common OEM product categories
Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.
- Face toners and essences
- Body washes and cleansers
- Hair products
- Oral care
Ingredient profile
Camellia sinensis leaf extract is produced by water or hydro-alcoholic extraction of green tea leaves. Japanese cosmetic-grade extracts typically use unfermented green tea as the source material, preserving catechin content.
Related but distinct ingredients include Camellia sinensis leaf powder (finely ground leaves for use as a particulate ingredient), Camellia sinensis leaf water (the distillate fraction), and fermented-tea-leaf variants.
OEM applications
In Japanese cosmetics, green tea extract is a near-ubiquitous supporting ingredient, appearing in toners, essences, face cleansers, body washes, hair products, and oral care. Antioxidant positioning is the dominant narrative.
In food and beverage, Camellia sinensis in its various preparations (sencha, matcha, hojicha, gyokuro, bancha) is the base of Japanese tea culture.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Cosmetic use is permitted under the JSCI dictionary. Food tea is separately regulated.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Listed in CosIng. Permitted for cosmetic use. |
|---|---|
| USA | INCI recognized by PCPC. Widely used in finished products. |
| China | Permitted per IECIC listings. |
| Korea | Widely used; permitted under KFDA / MFDS. |
Market reference formulations
Example finished products will be added after each product's current full ingredient list has been verified.
All brand names and product names referenced anywhere on this site are the property of their respective owners. Example entries are provided for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement.
Alternative ingredients
Related ingredients commonly evaluated as substitutes.
Quick answers
- What is Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (Japanese Tea)?
- Camellia sinensis leaf extract — usually sourced in Japan from green tea leaves grown in Shizuoka, Kagoshima, Mie, and other major tea regions — is one of the most widely used cosmetic ingredients in the country. Its catechin content, led by epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), underpins its positioning as a natural antioxidant.
- What is the regulatory status of Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (Japanese Tea) in Japan?
- Cosmetic ingredient listed in the JSCI (Japanese Cosmetic Industry Association) labeling name dictionary. The same leaf base produces food and beverage teas under separate regulatory frameworks.
- What products typically use Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (Japanese Tea)?
- Face toners and essences / Body washes and cleansers / Hair products / Oral care
- Where does Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (Japanese Tea) come from?
- Plant-derived (Camellia sinensis)
- What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (Japanese Tea)?
- INCI: Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract / JSCI: チャ葉エキス
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Ingredients that overlap on functional benefit tags.
From the same origin
Other ingredients that share an origin classification.
Regulatory guidance
Take the next step
FAQ for OEM buyers
Q. Is there a regulatory/compositional difference between green tea, matcha, and other Japanese tea-derived extracts on a label?
All come from Camellia sinensis, but processing differs: matcha is shade-grown and stone-milled, sencha is steamed-and-rolled, hojicha is roasted. INCI is uniformly 'Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract' (or '...Powder' for matcha) — process descriptors are marketing claims. Catechin (especially EGCG) profile and chlorophyll content vary substantially by processing.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- CosIng database — Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract / Powder entries
Q. Is EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) regulated separately as a cosmetic active in Japan?
EGCG and broader 'tea polyphenol' extracts are not on the 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) quasi-drug whitening or anti-aging active list, so cosmetic claims must be cosmetic-tier (e.g., 'antioxidant-supporting', 'gives a healthy appearance'). For a quasi-drug whitening claim, the formulation must include an 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)-approved bihaku active.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) — Quasi-drug Active Ingredient Standards (no tea polyphenol entry as of latest)
Q. What sourcing regions in Japan are most differentiated for tea cosmetic extracts?
Major Japanese tea regions are Shizuoka (~40% of national production), Kagoshima (~30%), and Mie. Premium narrative regions for cosmetics include Uji (Kyoto, matcha), Yame (Fukuoka, gyokuro), and Sayama (Saitama). Single-region Japanese-origin tea extract carries premium pricing.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- 農林水産省 (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) — Japanese tea production statistics by prefecture
Q. Are there pesticide-residue or heavy-metal concerns to flag for cosmetic-grade Japanese tea?
Japanese cosmetic-grade tea extracts typically meet food-grade pesticide-residue standards under 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) and Japan Food Sanitation Act limits, which is favorable. For organic-positioned SKUs, JAS-organic certified tea is available; request JAS-Organic COA from the supplier.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- 農林水産省 (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) — Japanese Agricultural Standards (JAS) Organic Certification for tea
- Japan Food Sanitation Act — pesticide residue limits
Use cases
Antioxidant facial toner
- Positioning
- Daily-use catechin/EGCG-themed skincare; high-volume staple
- Typical usage level
- 0.5-3% liquid extract
- Formulation notes
- Compatible with most water-phase systems; oxidation-prone — chelate or include light antioxidants
Sources
- Industry knowledge — Japanese skincare market
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Body wash / shampoo
- Positioning
- Refreshing daily haircare/body care, deodorant-adjacent positioning
- Typical usage level
- 0.5-2%
- Formulation notes
- Catechin's astringent character supports cleansing positioning
Sources
- Industry knowledge — Japanese haircare/body wash market
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Mouthwash / oral care
- Positioning
- Natural/Japanese-tea-themed oral care
- Typical usage level
- 0.5-2%
- Formulation notes
- Catechin antibacterial halo aligns with breath-freshening narrative
Sources
- Industry knowledge — Japanese oral care market
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Matcha-themed sheet mask / gift skincare
- Positioning
- Inbound-tourism gift / souvenir SKU
- Typical usage level
- 0.5-3% extract or 0.1-1% matcha powder for visual/tonal cue
- Formulation notes
- Color-stability testing important — chlorophyll fades under UV/heat
Sources
- Industry knowledge — inbound tourism gift cosmetic market
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
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Official regulatory databases
External links to public Japanese / international regulatory authorities. We are not affiliated.
References
- JSCI (Japanese Cosmetic Industry Association) labeling name directory — チャ葉エキス
- EU CosIng entry: Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Last updated: 2026-04-22. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.