What it is
In the register’s words: “Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is an extract of the leaves of the Tea, Camellia sinensis, Theaceae.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT
- CAS number
- 84650-60-2
- EC number
- 283-519-7
- Written on these labels as
- Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract; Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract in any cosmetic, hair roles first. They say why a maker might add it, not what it does in one formula, and they aren’t a safety rating.
- Antimicrobial
-
Slows the growth of microbes, in the product or on the surface it touches. Some preservatives, extracts and essential oils carry this role.
Register definition: “Preventing and/or slowing down microbial growth.”
- Antioxidant
-
Slows the oxygen damage that makes oils go rancid in the bottle. Vitamin E (tocopherol) is the common one.
Register definition: “Inhibiting reactions promoted by oxygen, thus avoiding oxidation and rancidity.”
- Emollient
-
Oils, butters and similar ingredients that make a surface feel soft and smooth. On hair they coat the strand; many plant oils carry this role.
Register definition: “Acting as lubricants on the skin surface providing the skin with a soft and smooth appearance.”
- Humectant
-
Holds water in the product and on the surface it touches. Glycerin, honey and aloe are common humectants on curly-hair labels.
Register definition: “Retaining and/or preserving the moisture in a product during use.”
- Fragrance
-
Gives the product its smell or covers an unpleasant one. A label may name each scent ingredient or group them as Fragrance (Parfum).
Register definition: “Imparting an odour or taste. Creating a perceivable pleasant smell and/or masking a bad smell.”
- Astringent
-
Gives skin a tighter feel. Witch hazel and some plant extracts carry this role.
Register definition: “Contracting and/or tightening the skin.”
- Oral care
-
A role the ingredient has in toothpaste or mouthwash. On a hair label it is there for another listed use.
Register definition: “Providing cosmetic effects to the oral cavity, e.g. cleansing, deodorising, protecting.”
- Skin conditioning
-
The register’s broad role for ingredients that keep skin in good condition. On a hair label it often sits beside a hair role, or marks a plant oil or extract.
Register definition: “Maintaining the skin in good condition.”
- Skin protecting
-
Helps shield skin from outside factors. On a hair label it usually sits beside a conditioning role.
Register definition: “Helping to avoid harmful effects to the skin from external factors.”
- Tonic
-
The register’s role for ingredients said to give skin and hair a feeling of well-being. Many plant extracts carry it.
Register definition: “Producing a feeling of well-being on skin and hair.”
- UV absorber
-
Protects the product in the bottle from UV light. It isn’t sun protection for your hair.
Register definition: “Protecting the cosmetic product from the effects of UV-light.”
Where it sits on each label
US labels list ingredients from most to least, except that those at 1% or less may follow in any order. A name near the top is a large part of the formula. A label doesn’t mark where the 1% point falls, so further down, the order says little about how much is in it.
- Shampoos 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Shampoos without it
- Clarifying shampoos 2 labels First five names: 1 of 2 Clarifying shampoos without it
- Rinse-out conditioners 3 labels First five names: 0 of 3 Rinse-out conditioners without it
- Deep conditioners 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Deep conditioners without it
- Leave-in conditioners 4 labels First five names: 0 of 4 Leave-in conditioners without it
- Stylers 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Stylers without it
Every label, product by product (15)
- OLAPLEX No.4 Bond Maintenance Strengthening Shampoo Shampoo 21st of 78 names
- As I Am Coconut CoWash Cleansing Conditioner Shampoo 10th of 25 names
- Ouidad Water Works Clarifying Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 5th of 33 names
- PATTERN Cleansing Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 15th of 34 names
- tgin Triple Moisture Replenishing Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 12th of 33 names
- OLAPLEX No.5 Bond Maintenance Strengthening Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 30th of 66 names
- Bounce Curl Super Smooth Cream Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner · listed as **Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract 19th of 34 names
- Camille Rose Algae Renew Deep Conditioning Mask Deep conditioner · listed as Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract 13th of 25 names
- The Doux THAT’S DEEP 5-Minute Deep Conditioner Deep conditioner · listed as Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract 18th of 25 names
- tgin Green Tea Super Moist Leave-In Conditioner Leave-in conditioner 10th of 34 names
- As I Am Leave-In Conditioner Leave-in conditioner 9th of 25 names
- Camille Rose Curl Love Moisture Milk Leave-in conditioner · listed as Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract 10th of 17 names
- Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In Conditioner Leave-in conditioner 20th of 27 names
- Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Styling Gel Styler 8th of 38 names
- Camille Rose Aloe Whipped Butter Gel Styler · listed as Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract 11th of 18 names
Each line runs from the first name on a label to the last; a dot is where this ingredient sits. Makers change formulas now and then; if the list on your bottle differs, go by your bottle.
Your next step
Other antimicrobial ingredients on these labels
- Phenoxyethanol 120 labels
- Cetrimonium Chloride 39 labels
- Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract 25 labels
- Benzyl Benzoate 22 labels
- C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate 6 labels
- Chlorphenesin 5 labels
- Alcohol Denat. 3 labels
- Cetrimonium Bromide 3 labels
Updated · The name, numbers and uses come from the European Commission’s CosIng entry (CC BY 4.0); we write the uses in US spelling and put the hair ones first. The labels are each maker’s own. The order rule is the FDA’s Cosmetics Labeling Guide. All our sources are on the Sources page.