How to Make Green Tea Extract at Home for Drinks & Skincare

With skincare routines growing increasingly complex and costly, many women are turning to natural and affordable solutions. Green tea extract, rich in antioxidants, offers a simple way to support healthy and radiant skin from the inside out.

In this article, you’ll learn how to make green tea extract at home for both drinks and skincare, helping you embrace beauty and wellness with ease.

Can You Make Green Tea Extract At Home?

Yes, but with some limitations. Brewing green tea is already a simple form of extraction that draws out catechins and caffeine [1]. However, homemade methods lack the efficiency of commercial processes like supercritical fluid extraction, which isolate higher concentrations of active compounds [5].

Green tea extract is a concentrated source of bioactive compounds from Camellia sinensis leaves. Unlike brewed green tea, which is made by steeping leaves in hot water.

The extract is produced using methods that boost the concentration of catechins, particularly EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate), a powerful antioxidant compound that makes up a significant portion of green tea’s active ingredients [5].

EGCG is the most abundant and effective catechin in green tea, known for its potential to support health and wellness. Alongside EGCG, green tea extract contains caffeine, theanine, and phenolic acids, contributing to its wide use in supplements, cosmetics, food preservation, and wellness products.

Benefits of Green Tea Extract

Commercial green tea extract contains 9–13% catechins by dry weight, with EGCG accounting for up to 65% of that amount [11,8]. It’s known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and may support metabolism, help maintain healthy blood sugar levels, and skin health [1,5,8].

In skincare, it helps protect against UV damage and improve hydration [4,6]. It also serves as a natural preservative in foods by reducing lipid oxidation [1,10].

How It's Used

• Beverages: Brewed tea is a daily staple and mild extract source [1].
• Supplements: Available in powder, capsule, or liquid form (5–1,000 mg EGCG/day) [5].
• Cosmetics: Included in creams, serum or toner for anti-aging and protection [4].
• Food Industry: Added to bakery items and oils as an antioxidant [10].

Pros and Cons of Making Green Tea Extract at Home

Making green tea extract at home, typically through traditional brewing, is straightforward and accessible. Here are the advantages:

• Safety and Simplicity: Brewing green tea with hot water is generally considered safe and aligns with traditional practices [5]. It’s a familiar method that requires minimal equipment.
• Lower Health Risks: Homemade extracts avoid high EGCG doses found in some supplements, which have been linked to rare cases of liver stress [5].
• Eco-Friendly: Using water as the primary solvent is sustainable and environmentally friendly [1].
• Customizable Sensory Experience: You can adjust brewing conditions to enhance flavor and aroma, tailoring the tea to your taste [1,10].
• However, there are limitations to consider:
• Lower Yield: Home brewing extracts fewer bioactive compounds compared to advanced methods like supercritical fluid extraction, resulting in less potent outcomes [1].
• Incomplete Extraction: A single-stage water extraction doesn’t capture all available compounds, limiting its effectiveness [1].
• Risk of Compound Degradation: High temperatures or prolonged brewing can degrade heat-sensitive molecules like catechins [1].
• Creaming Effect: As tea cools, caffeine and catechins may form complexes, reducing EGCG concentration and affecting taste [1].
• Variable Results: The potency and composition of your extract depend heavily on factors like water type, temperature, and brewing time, leading to inconsistent outcomes [5].
• Rare Health Concerns: In rare cases, green tea consumption has been associated with liver stress due to idiosyncratic reactions [5].

When Should You Make Green Tea Extract at Home?

Creating green tea extract at home is ideal in several scenarios:

• Daily Beverage Enjoyment: If you enjoy green tea as a regular drink, brewing is a simple way to access its health-supporting compounds [1].
• Eco-Conscious Choice: Using water as a solvent aligns with sustainable practices, making it a green option [1].
• Flavor and Aroma Preference: When sensory qualities like taste and smell matter, home brewing allows you to craft a personalized experience [1,10].
• Caffeine Concerns: If you prefer to limit caffeine due to its potential to cause digestive or sleep issues, you can experiment with decaffeinated tea, though complete caffeine removal at home is challenging [5].
• Avoiding High-Dose Supplements: Home brewing helps you steer clear of concentrated EGCG doses in supplements, which may pose health risks for some individuals [5].

However, if your goal is to obtain a highly concentrated extract for specific therapeutic purposes, home methods may fall short due to their lower efficiency and precision. In such cases, commercial extracts might be more suitable, though they require careful consideration of dosage and quality.

By understanding these factors, you can decide if making green tea extract at home aligns with your needs. In the next section, we’ll dive into practical steps for creating your own green tea extract, ensuring you get the most out of this versatile ingredient for both drinks and skincare.

How to Make Green Tea Extract?

Unlike a simple cup of brewed tea, green tea extract concentrates the powerful compounds like catechins, especially EGCG, which is known for its antioxidant properties [5].

You can make green tea extract using accessible methods like hot or cold water infusion or alcohol-based extraction, each with its own advantages. Below, we’ll guide you through two practical, beginner-friendly methods inspired by both scientific insights and popular DIY approaches from sources like YouTube channels Cecil Vig and Bernie Sips.*

These methods are easy to follow, require minimal equipment, and can be adapted for various uses, seamlessly connecting to the exciting recipes for drinks and skincare applications we’ll explore in the next sections.

Method 1: Cold-Processed Green Tea Extract with Alcohol (For Skincare and Long-Term Storage).*

This method, inspired by Cecil Vig’s DIY cosmetics tutorial, uses ethanol to create a concentrated green tea extract suitable for skincare products like toners, serums, or creams.*

Alcohol extraction is effective for pulling out catechins and other bioactive compounds, and the resulting extract can be stored for up to three years [1].

What You’ll Need:

• 10 grams of high-quality green tea (dried leaves, preferably organic)
• 96% ethanol (food-grade, enough to cover the tea plus extra for dilution)
• 40 grams distilled water
• A clean, airtight glass jar
• A coffee filter or cheesecloth
• A sterilized glass bottle for storage
• A grinder or mortar and pestle
• A scale for precise measurements

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Grind the Tea: Lightly grind 10 grams of green tea leaves to a slightly finer texture using a grinder or mortar and pestle. This increases the surface area for better extraction [1].
2. Place in Jar: Transfer the ground tea into a clean, airtight glass jar.
3. Add Ethanol: Pour just enough 96% ethanol to fully cover the tea leaves. A ratio of about 20 mL ethanol per 1 gram of tea is effective [1].
4. Seal and Store: Seal the jar tightly and store it at room temperature in a dark place for two weeks. Shake the jar gently for a few seconds daily to aid extraction.
5. Filter the Extract: After two weeks, filter the liquid through a coffee filter or cheesecloth into a clean container. You should yield approximately 20 grams of concentrated extract.
6. Dilute the Extract: To make it suitable for skincare, combine the 20 grams of extract with 40 grams of 96% ethanol and 40 grams of distilled water, resulting in about 60 grams of final extract. This dilution ensures a safe concentration (1.0%–8.0%) for skincare use, with an ideal pH of 4.0–5.0, which supports the skin’s natural acid mantle [6].
7. Store Properly: Transfer the extract to a sterilized glass bottle and store it at room temperature. It can last up to three years if kept airtight and away from light.

Tips for Success:

• Use distilled water to avoid impurities that could affect the extract’s quality [3].
• The 1.0%–8.0% concentration range makes this extract versatile for skincare products like toners (1%) or creams (up to 8%) [6].
• Be cautious with ethanol handling, as it’s flammable, and ensure proper ventilation.

This alcohol-based extract is perfect for skincare applications due to its stability and ability to penetrate the skin, supporting hydration and antioxidant benefits [6]. We’ll explore specific skincare recipes using this extract in the “Green Tea Extract Recipe for Skin Care” section.

Method 2: Cold-Brew Green Tea Extract with Water (For Drinks and Daily Use).*

Inspired by Bernie Sips’ tea-focused YouTube channel, this cold-brew method uses water to create a refreshing, antioxidant-rich extract ideal for beverages.*

Cold brewing minimizes the degradation of heat-sensitive compounds like catechins and preserves the tea’s natural flavor [1].

What You’ll Need:

• 20 grams of green tea (dried leaves, preferably high-quality)
• 500 mL clean, neutral-pH water (filtered or distilled, chilled)
• A 500 mL glass jar or bottle with a tight-fitting lid
• A fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
• A refrigerator

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare the Tea: Measure 20 grams of green tea leaves and place them in a clean, 500 mL glass jar or bottle.
2. Add Cold Water: Pour 500 mL of cold, filtered, or distilled water into the jar, ensuring the tea is fully submerged. This 25:1 (mL/g) water-to-tea ratio balances efficiency and catechin yield [2].
3. Seal and Label: Close the jar tightly and label it with the tea type, amount, water volume, and date.
4. Refrigerate: Place the jar in the refrigerator and let it steep for at least 6 hours, ideally overnight, or up to a few days for a stronger extract. Cold brewing at lower temperatures helps retain bioactive compounds [1].
5. Filter the Extract: After steeping, the liquid will take on a vibrant golden hue. Strain it through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove the tea leaves, collecting the extract in a clean container.
6. Store: Keep the extract refrigerated and use it within a few days for optimal freshness and flavor.

Tips for Success:

• Use distilled or filtered water to enhance antioxidant activity, as tap water may reduce catechin yield due to calcium fixation [3].
• For a stronger extract, steep for up to 48 hours, but taste periodically to avoid bitterness.
• Optimize catechin extraction by using finely ground tea (1 mm particle size) if possible [2].

This cold-brew extract is perfect for creating refreshing drinks or adding to recipes, offering a mild flavor and health-supporting properties [1]. You’ll find exciting ways to use it in the upcoming “Green Tea Extract Drinks Recipes” section.

Optimizing Your Extraction Process

To get the most out of your homemade green tea extract, consider these research-backed tips:

• Temperature: For water-based methods, 80°C for 30 minutes is ideal for hot brewing, but cold brewing avoids degrading heat-sensitive catechins [2].
• Water-to-Tea Ratio: A 20:1 (mL/g) ratio is cost-effective and efficient, though 50:1 maximizes catechin yield [2].
• Particle Size: Grinding tea to a 1 mm size increases extraction efficiency [1].
• Water Quality: Distilled water enhances antioxidant activity compared to tap water [3].
• pH: Aim for a pH below 6 to optimize catechin extraction; green tea naturally has a pH around 5.3, so adjustments are rarely needed [2].
• Multiple Extractions: For water-based methods, extract twice (e.g., 12:1 then 8:1 mL/g) to maximize catechin yield while conserving water [2].

Both methods are accessible and allow you to create a versatile ingredient tailored to your needs. The alcohol-based extract is ideal for skincare due to its long shelf life and compatibility with cosmetic formulations, while the cold-brew extract shines in beverages for its fresh taste and health benefits [1,6].

In the following sections, we’ll explore how to use your homemade green tea extract in delicious drink recipes to support your daily wellness routine and in skincare formulations to enhance skin hydration and combat oxidative stress.

Whether you’re sipping a refreshing green tea-infused smoothie or applying a soothing DIY face mask, these extracts will elevate your creations with their natural goodness.

Green Tea Extract Drinks Recipes

Green tea extract drinks offer a refreshing way to enjoy the antioxidant-rich benefits of green tea, known for supporting overall wellness and potentially aiding metabolism as part of a healthy lifestyle [8,3].

From traditional brewing methods to creative modern recipes, these drinks can be tailored to your taste and health goals. Below, we share three easy-to-follow recipes, including a classic approach and two unique blends inspired by trusted sources, ensuring vibrant flavors and optimal catechin retention [1,5].

Traditional Green Tea

This timeless method maximizes the polyphenol content of green tea, preserving its health-supporting properties [5].

Ingredients:

• 2–3 grams loose green tea leaves or 1 tea bag
• 150–240 ml purified or distilled water (avoid tap water for better catechin yield) [1].

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Heat water to 80°C (just below boiling) to preserve catechins [1].
2. Add tea leaves or a tea bag to a cup.
3. Pour hot water over the tea, using a 20:1 water-to-tea ratio (e.g., 200 ml water for 10 grams tea) [1].
4. Steep for 20–30 minutes to optimize catechin extraction [1].
5. Strain leaves or remove the tea bag.
6. Sip warm or cool slightly to avoid catechin degradation. Store in a sealed container to maintain freshness, as EGCG levels may drop over time [5].

Tip: For a cold brew, steep in cold purified water for 2 hours to reduce bitterness and retain antioxidants [1].

Green Tea with Collagen Beauty

Drawing inspiration from a top health and wellness YouTube channel followed by over 700,000 subscribers, this green tea and collagen recipe offers a refreshing boost for your skin.*

• 1 cup purified water
• 2 scoops collagen booster powder
• ½ tsp pomegranate-flavored green tea powder

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Pour 1 cup of purified water into a glass.
2. Add 2 scoops of collagen booster and ½ tsp green tea pomegranate powder.
3. Stir vigorously until fully dissolved.
4. Add 3–5 ice cubes for a refreshing chill.
5. Enjoy immediately to savor the vibrant flavor and potential skin benefits [9].

Tip: Use cold water to maintain the stability of collagen and catechins, ensuring a nutrient-packed drink [5].

Green Tea Mojito Mocktail

Shared by the American Heart Association channel, this alcohol-free mojito blends green tea with zesty lime and mint for a heart-healthy refreshment.*

Ingredients:

• 4 cups purified water
• 4 single-serving green tea bags
• 32–40 fresh mint sprigs (plus 4 for garnish)
• 2 cups ice cubes
• 1 cup 100% white grape juice
• ½ cup fresh lime juice (about 4 limes)
• Optional: 4 lime wedges or zest twists

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Boil 4 cups of water in a small saucepan.
2. Remove from heat, add 4 tea bags, and steep for 4 minutes, ensuring bags are submerged.
3. Discard tea bags and cool the tea for 30 minutes.
4. Pour into a pitcher and refrigerate for 2 hours until chilled.
5. Stir in grape juice and lime juice.
6. Divide mint sprigs among 4 glasses, mashing gently to release flavor.
7. Add ice, pour in tea mixture, and garnish with lime wedges or zest if desired.

Benefits: This mocktail may support heart health with green tea’s antioxidants and hydration from lime and grape juice, making it a refreshing, wellness-focused drink [3].

These recipes offer versatile ways to enjoy green tea’s potential benefits, from traditional brews to creative blends. Always use purified water and moderate steeping times to maximize flavor and health properties while keeping safety in mind [5].

Green Tea Extract Recipe for Skin Care

Green tea extract, rich in antioxidants like catechins, is celebrated for its potential to support skin health by hydrating, improving elasticity, and reducing signs of aging [4,6].

These DIY recipes, inspired by research and beauty enthusiasts, offer simple ways to incorporate green tea’s benefits into your skincare routine. From a cleansing oil to a moisturizing cream, each method uses carefully crafted ingredients to maximize skin nourishment while preserving active compounds [1,5].

Green Tea Cleansing Oil

Shared by A Life Adjacent, a DIY beauty blog focused on natural skincare, this cleansing oil uses green tea-infused MCT oil to gently remove makeup while supporting skin hydration.*

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup MCT oil (medium-chain triglyceride, heat-stable, non-pore-clogging)
• 1–2 tbsp loose-leaf green tea (high-quality preferred)
• ½ tsp CreamMaker FLUID emulsifier
• Optional: Small chunk green tea wax or ¼ tsp Cera Bellina wax pellets

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, combine loose-leaf green tea with MCT oil.
2. Heat on medium for 30 minutes until the oil turns bright green, or seal in a jar and infuse at room temperature for one week for a slower method.
3. Cool the infused oil, then strain out the tea leaves.
4. Mix in the CreamMaker FLUID emulsifier thoroughly.
5. If using, add green tea wax or Cera Bellina wax pellets and stir until blended.
6. Pour into a pump bottle for easy use.
7. Apply to dry skin, massage to melt away makeup, and rinse with warm water.

Benefits: This oil may gently cleanse while delivering green tea’s antioxidants to support skin softness and hydration [7].

Rich Green Tea Face and Body Moisturizing Cream

Inspired by Cecil Vig’s YouTube channel, dedicated to DIY cosmetics, this luxurious cream combines green tea extract with nourishing oils to support skin moisture and elasticity.*

Ingredients:

• 180 g distilled water
• 1 tsp organic green tea leaves
• 5 g green tea extract powder
• 3 g vegetable glycerin
• 0.5 g xanthan gum
• 18.8 g hemp seed oil
• 14 g sunflower oil
• 6 g shea butter
• 10 g emulsifying wax
• 4 g stearic acid
• 1 g vitamin E
• 2.2 g Geogard 221 (preservative)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Boil 180 g distilled water, add 1 tsp green tea, and steep for 5 minutes.
2. Filter through a cheesecloth to remove tea leaves.
3. Mix xanthan gum and glycerin into the tea-infused water, stirring well.
4. In a separate container, combine hemp seed oil, sunflower oil, shea butter, emulsifying wax, and stearic acid.
5. Heat both the tea mixture and oil mixture to 75°C using a double boiler.
6. Remove from heat, then slowly pour the tea mixture into the oil mixture, whisking for 1 minute.
7. Blend with a stick blender for 1 minute, then whisk again.
8. Cool to 40°C, then add green tea extract, vitamin E, and Geogard 221, mixing thoroughly.
9. Blend for 5 seconds with the stick blender to finish.
10. Transfer to a clean jar and apply daily to your face or body.

Benefits: This cream may help hydrate the skin, support balanced oil levels, and improve the appearance of fine lines, contributing to a more refreshed look [6]. Individual results may vary.

Green Tea Extract At Home Vs Green Tea Extract Supplements

Green tea, valued for its antioxidants, can be enjoyed as a homemade brew or concentrated supplement. Each offers distinct benefits and risks, making it important to choose based on your health goals.

Below, we summarize the pros and cons of both, highlight user experiences with supplement blends, and outline key factors for selecting quality products to complement the recipes and skincare applications discussed earlier.

When to Choose Each

While dietary supplements can’t replace a healthy diet and lifestyle, they may be a convenient option for those who don’t have much time to focus on their health.

For example, an Amazon user named Angela Arcila reported losing 9 pounds after using a supplement that contained green tea extract and Caralluma Fimbriata. She noted a significant reduction in appetite and experienced no side effects.*

Another user, Kevin & Liz, tried a supplement blend featuring green tea extract, berberine, red yeast rice, cinnamon, and other ingredients. They reported losing 2.5 pounds in just nine days and feeling less sluggish. They recommended taking it in the morning for a gentle energy boost, along with a healthy diet.*

However, results may vary from person to person. Be sure to do your research and consider carefully before trying any supplement.

Choosing Quality Supplements

• Check EGCG Content: Ensure labels specify catechin levels; avoid ≥800 mg/day [5].
• Safe Use: Take with food in divided doses to minimize risks [5].
• Purity: Choose products tested for contaminants like pyrrolizidine alkaloids [5].
• Select homemade tea for daily wellness or supplements for targeted needs, guided by professional advice to ensure safety and efficacy [5].

Conclusion

Crafting green tea extract at home offers a simple, sustainable way to tap into the natural benefits of green tea, tailored to your preferences for drinks or skincare. By exploring DIY methods, you can create a versatile ingredient that fits seamlessly into your wellness or beauty routine.

As you experiment with these extracts, consider how they can enhance your lifestyle—perhaps by blending them into refreshing beverages or soothing skincare creations. Why not try your hand at making a batch today and discover how this ancient ingredient can bring a fresh twist to your daily routines?