Researchers at Medical College of Georgia studied an animal model for inflammatory skin diseases, which are often characterized by patches of dry, red, flaky skin caused by the inflammation and overproduction of skin cells. The researchers found that those treated with green tea showed slower growth of skin cells and the presence of a gene that regulates the cells' life cycles.

"Psoriasis, an autoimmune disease, causes the skin to become thicker because the growth of skin cells is out of control. In psoriasis, immune cells, which usually protect against infection, instead trigger the release of cytokines, which causes inflammation and the overproduction of skin cells," says Dr. Stephen Hsu, an oral biologist in the MCG School of Dentistry and lead investigator on the study.

Green tea, already shown to contain inflammation, works by regulating the expression of Caspase-14 a protein in genes that regulates the life cycle of a skin cell.

"That marker guides cells by telling them when to differentiate, die off and form a skin barrier. In people with psoriasis, that process is interrupted and the skin cells don’t die before more are created and the resulting lesions form," Dr. Hsu says.

Animal models treated with green tea also showed decreased levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, a gene expressed when skin cells multiply. In psoriasis, the gene is over-expressed and speeds production of skin cells.

"Before treatment, the antigen, PCNA, was present in all layers of the skin. Typically, PCNA is only found in the basal layer, the innermost layer where skin cells continually divide and new cells push the older ones to the skin surface, where they eventually slough off. After being treated with green tea, the animal models showed near-normal levels of PCNA in only the basal layers," Dr. Hsu says.

Dr. Hsu insists that this research is important because some treatments for psoriasis and dandruff can have dangerous side effects.

"The traditional treatment of ultraviolet light and medication, while it can control the lesions and be used long term, may cause squamous cell carcinoma – the second most common form of skin cancer. Some of the most effective anti-dandruff shampoos also have carcinogens in them. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allows that in small amounts, the bottom line is that we don't know the long-term effects of using those products continuously," Dr. Hsu says.

Green tea, which is plant-derived, may be an alternative, he says. But scientists must work to beat some barriers with the treatment.

The chemicals in green tea are so active that they are oxidized too quickly when mixed with other ingredients. They also dissolve in water, which cannot penetrate the skin's barrier.

Researchers are looking for a balanced formula that can dissolve in fats, which can seep into the skin, Dr. Hsu says.