EGCG Forms: Compatibility, Precautions, and Differences
Question
I would like to inquire about the compatibility, mixing precautions, and key differences between various forms of EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) for cosmetic formulations. Could you please provide detailed information on the following specific EGCG products offered by MySkinRecipes?
- Pure-EGCG™ (98% EGCG): What are its characteristics, and how should it be incorporated into formulations?
- Hi-EGCG™ (3% EGCG): What are its properties as a liquid extract, and what specific precautions (e.g., pH range, interaction with other ingredients like Vitamin E, and use of
ActiveProtec™ OX) are necessary during mixing? - Micromul™ EGCG (Microemulsion): How does its nano-level particle size affect its dissolution and skin absorption, and what are the mixing guidelines?
- ActiveRelease™ EGCG (20% Encapsulation): How does encapsulation improve its water solubility and provide sustained release, and what are the mixing instructions?
Additionally, please advise on general precautions regarding heat and light sensitivity for all EGCG forms, and recommended storage conditions for each product to maintain stability and effectiveness.
Answer
Understanding EGCG Forms: Compatibility, Precautions, and Differences
At MySkinRecipes, we offer various forms of EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate), a powerful antioxidant from green tea, each designed for specific formulation needs. Understanding their differences, compatibility, and precautions is key to successful product development.
Key Differences Between EGCG Forms
We have four main EGCG products, each with unique characteristics:
- Pure-EGCG™ (98% EGCG): This is a highly concentrated, light-colored powder. It has low solubility in water and is best dispersed in cream or gel formulations. Its high purity makes it potent, but it requires careful handling due to its sensitivity.
- Hi-EGCG™ (3% EGCG): This is a dark green-brown liquid extract, making it very easy to incorporate directly into water-based formulations. It is a stabilized form, offering better stability compared to general green tea extracts, but still requires specific precautions.
- Micromul™ EGCG (Microemulsion): This clear liquid is a microemulsion of EGCG with nano-level particle size (average 1.7 nanometers). This advanced form allows for direct dissolution in water and significantly enhances skin absorption (over 2 times better absorption in 8 hours compared to normal EGCG). It is designed for superior delivery and efficacy.
- ActiveRelease™ EGCG (20% Encapsulation): This is a white or off-white powder where EGCG is encapsulated. This encapsulation improves its water solubility and provides a gradual release of EGCG into the skin for up to 8 hours, ensuring sustained benefits.
Compatibility and Precautions
EGCG is generally sensitive to heat, light, and metal ions, which can degrade its effectiveness. Here are specific precautions for each form:
General EGCG Precautions:
- Heat: Avoid high temperatures during mixing for all EGCG forms, especially Pure-EGCG™ and Micromul™ EGCG.
- Light: Finished products containing EGCG should be protected from light, ideally packaged in opaque bottles, to maintain stability and effectiveness. This is particularly crucial for Hi-EGCG™.
- pH: For Hi-EGCG™, the pH of the cosmetic formulation should be between 4.0-6.5.
Specific Product Precautions:
- Hi-EGCG™: We recommend mixing it in the final step of your formulation, ensuring the temperature is below 40°C. To prevent metal ions from degrading the quality, it's advisable to use ActiveProtec™ OX at 1% in the formula. Additionally, formulations with Hi-EGCG™ should not contain any type of Vitamin E, as it can interfere with EGCG's stability.
- Pure-EGCG™: Blend until dispersed in cream or gel. Avoid heat and light during the mixing process.
- Micromul™ EGCG: Dissolve directly in water, avoiding heat.
- ActiveRelease™ EGCG: Mix in water.
Storage Recommendations
Proper storage is vital for maintaining the efficacy of EGCG products:
- Pure-EGCG™ and Hi-EGCG™: For long-term storage, keep these products in the refrigerator at 4°C - 8°C, tightly sealed, and protected from air and light.
- Micromul™ EGCG: Store at room temperature, avoiding direct sunlight, heat, and humidity. Keep the lid tightly closed.
- ActiveRelease™ EGCG: For long-term storage, keep in the refrigerator at 4°C - 8°C.
By understanding these characteristics and following the recommended guidelines, you can effectively incorporate EGCG into your cosmetic formulations to harness its powerful antioxidant and skin-benefiting properties.
You can find links to all mentioned products below this answer.
Follow-up Replies
Question:
I have additional questions regarding Micromul™ EGCG and ActiveRelease™ EGCG:
- Do
Micromul™ EGCGandActiveRelease™ EGCGstill possess sebum-reducing properties (reducing sebum secretion)? I am confused because the original active ingredient has this property, but it seems to be missing from the encapsulated forms' descriptions. Was this an oversight in the product details? - Do other forms of EGCG not require protection from oxidation? Could you explain why this is the case?
Answer:
EGCG Product Properties and Precautions
Thank you for your follow-up questions regarding our EGCG products. Here's a detailed clarification on the properties and necessary precautions for each form:
1. Sebum Reduction Properties
Regarding the sebum-reducing properties of Micromul™ EGCG and ActiveRelease™ EGCG:
- Pure-EGCG™ and Hi-EGCG™ explicitly state their ability to reduce skin oiliness and sebum secretion in their product descriptions. For example, our R&D team's evaluation showed Pure-EGCG™ was effective in reducing skin oiliness, and Hi-EGCG™ is noted for reducing oil production on the face.
- For Micromul™ EGCG, while its description focuses on enhanced absorption, moisture retention, antioxidant, anti-cell death, and skin brightening effects, it does not explicitly mention sebum reduction. However, EGCG as an active compound is generally known for its sebum-regulating properties.
- ActiveRelease™ EGCG's description highlights its anti-inflammatory and anti-acne properties. Since acne is often associated with excess sebum, the anti-acne benefit implies an indirect effect on sebum regulation. As an encapsulated form of EGCG, it retains the core benefits of EGCG, including its potential to help manage skin oiliness, even if not specifically detailed in its summary.
Therefore, while Pure-EGCG™ and Hi-EGCG™ directly mention sebum reduction, the inherent properties of EGCG suggest that Micromul™ EGCG and ActiveRelease™ EGCG would also contribute to oil control, particularly through their anti-acne and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
2. Oxidation Protection for All EGCG Forms
It is crucial to understand that all forms of EGCG are sensitive to degradation from heat, light, and oxidation. While specific precautions might vary, the general principle of protection applies to all our EGCG products:
- Hi-EGCG™: We specifically recommend using ActiveProtec™ OX at 1% and avoiding Vitamin E in formulations with Hi-EGCG™ to prevent degradation by metal ions and to maintain its stability. It also requires protection from light.
- Pure-EGCG™: This concentrated powder should be blended into formulations while avoiding heat and light. For long-term storage, it must be kept in the refrigerator, tightly sealed, and protected from air and light to prevent oxidation.
- Micromul™ EGCG: This microemulsion should be dissolved in water, avoiding heat. It should be stored at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, heat, and humidity, with the lid tightly closed. Its inherent antioxidant properties also highlight its susceptibility to degradation if not properly handled.
- ActiveRelease™ EGCG: While encapsulation provides a degree of protection and improves water solubility, it is still recommended for long-term storage in the refrigerator (4°C - 8°C). This storage condition helps preserve the integrity of the encapsulated EGCG and prevents degradation from environmental factors.
In summary, while Hi-EGCG™ has very specific recommendations for oxidation protection due to its liquid extract nature and stabilization process, all EGCG forms benefit from careful handling and storage to minimize exposure to heat, light, and air, which can lead to oxidation and reduced efficacy.
You can find links to all mentioned products below this answer.
