Stem cells in cosmetics

Stem cell cosmetics are a new trend in cosmetology, promising the return of youthful skin and the suspension of aging processes. What is the uniqueness and benefit of this component, what is it obtained from, and is it a recipe for eternal youth and a panacea for skin problems – to find out, you need to delve into biochemical processes. More on this is in the article below.

Features of cosmetic products with stem cells

The first interest in stem cells came from scientists for their use in medicine. They were studied for use in the fight against severe incurable diseases. Scientists were interested in two of their abilities – to self-repair and transform into cells of tissues of various organs – the brain, heart, and lungs.

Such unique features of stem cells have attracted the attention of cosmetologists. The miraculous component began to be actively used in the production of anti-aging cosmetics. Only the composition of cosmetic products includes stem cells, not of people or animals, but plants. Korean scientists have proven that there are many similarities between them. Phyto-stem analogs do not conflict with human ones but increase their activity and increase the ability of human cells to self-repair.

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are the cells from which the cells of all tissues and organs of a living organism originate. Their main feature is the ability to divide constantly, due to which the body is updated. With age, these processes occur more slowly, and the body ages.

There are several types of stem cells:

• embryonic, formed in the early stages of embryo development;
• postnatal, including those in cord blood;
• hematopoietic, from which all blood cells form;
• tissue-specific – located in different tissues of the adult body and are responsible for the renewal of dead cells;
• vegetable (embryonic) – are in the kidneys, seedlings, and young roots.

According to ethical principles, only plant stem cells are used in cosmetology. They contain great potential, contributing to the active renewal of the cellular tissue of the epidermis. Not even the whole Phyto stem cells are used for cosmetic formulas, but their components – peptides, enzymes, etc.

How to get Phyto stem cells for cosmetics

To use phyto stem cell materials for the preparation of cosmetics, extracts from them are obtained in one of two ways:

1. Natural. In early spring, the fresh biomaterial is collected when bud swelling on trees and shrubs. Raw materials (buds, seedlings) are crushed and placed in a favorable nutrient medium. A preservative that allows you to keep the active substances in the material is a special extractive mixture of water, glycerin, and alcohol. Based on the harvested raw materials, extracts are obtained. However, this method is unsuitable for producing cosmetics in large volumes – the yield is insufficient.
2. Biotech. The biomaterial is cultivated in laboratory conditions. The collected natural raw materials are grown on an explant – a piece of plant tissue. Cultivated plants are subjected to microtrauma, which contributes to the influx of stem cells to the site of damage. Plant cells actively divide and form callus. These cells are formed on the injured surface of plants and have powerful regenerative properties.

The callus is placed in a nutrient medium containing growth stimulants. Subsequently, the necessary active substances for cosmetics are obtained from it.

The biotechnological method makes it possible to obtain enough material to produce large volumes of creams, serums, and masks with stem cells. But this method is more expensive, so it also affects the price of cosmetics. There are also difficulties with growing callus mass. Being outside a living organism, cells lose their ability to recover and grow chaotically. But scientists are actively working with these processes. Shortly, the production of a cell product with predetermined properties is expected.

Benefits of using plant stem cells in cosmetics

It is not in vain that manufacturers have chosen to use plant stem cells in cosmetics; they have several advantages:

• Contains substances useful for human skin – antioxidants, proteins, and amino acids. Various studies have proved their effectiveness and increased activity in human cellular tissue. They have a positive effect on the dermis and start deep renewal processes.
• The material does not contain pesticides, heavy metals, or toxins that ordinary plant extracts may contain.
• Raw materials are produced in sterile laboratory conditions, where the quality of the specified standards is carefully controlled. The cell mass grows and divides rapidly, so the components are available all year round.
• This is an environmentally friendly raw material produced without harming the environment, with a high degree of purification.

To fully show their qualities, photocells must be alive. However, even some of the properties are enough to get cosmetics that are unique in their action and effectively work on skin rejuvenation.

What Plants Are Stem Cells From?

Stem cells of different plants are used for the production of cosmetics. In addition to the general effect on the skin, each type has its characteristics:

• Red grapes – improve skin firmness and elasticity by accelerating the processes of cell tissue regeneration. Prevents the appearance of new wrinkles and smoothes existing ones.
• Apple tree. The photocells obtained from it protect the skin from the harmful effects of environmental factors and normalize the processes of skin restoration.
• Centella Asiatica. Its stem cells in cosmetics have a wound-healing effect, smooth the skin, and strengthen the thin walls of blood vessels.
• Edelweiss – has a strong antioxidant effect and fills the cell tissue with vital energy.
• Coffee. Stimulates the division of fat cells, and reduces the activity of fat-soluble enzymes, so that the skin becomes elastic, nourished from the inside, and moisturized.
• Sea fennel. The cell mass contains moisturizing ingredients, eliminates dryness and flaking on the skin, removes the feeling of tightness, protects against the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays and free radicals, and acts as an antioxidant.
• Yew. The extract has anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties, helps fight against acne and acne, smoothes skin imperfections, and restores damaged tissues.
• Tobacco. It helps maintain the skin’s integrity, increases skin cells’ viability, and reduces the number of wrinkles.
• Cloudberry. The composition contains plant analogs of estrogens and female sex hormones. They are also responsible for skin, youth, and beauty.
• Ginseng. The use of cosmetics with ginseng stem cells helps activate the work of fibroblasts responsible for producing collagen and elastin fibers. This plant extract protects against UV radiation, prevents the formation of wrinkles, and slows down skin photoaging.
• Raspberry. Berries, leaves, and seeds are rich in phenolic acids, lipids, and carotenoids. The obtained photocells have good moisturizing and antioxidant properties.

Plants not treated with pesticides are used to obtain raw materials, and the most healthy specimens growing in natural conditions are selected. To grow biomass, a small amount of a plant is enough so it does not harm nature. Biotechnologies are constantly developing and improving; raw materials with high potential are taken for research, including rare specimens.

How Phyto stem cells work in cosmetics

Due to the active action of stem cells, cosmetics with them on the skin have the following effects:

• Improves complexion – the tone becomes more even, and the face looks fresh and rested.
• Reduces the depth and number of fine wrinkles. Phyto stem cells have powerful antioxidant properties. As a result of regular use of cosmetics with their content, the skin condition noticeably improves, and it looks younger.
• Elasticity and firmness of the skin are restored, the oval of the face is tightened, and skin flabbiness is reduced. The reason is that plant stem cells accelerate the natural production of collagen and elastin in tissues.
• At the cellular level, metabolic processes are improved. Plant substances interact with skin receptors, accelerating metabolism and providing a lifting effect.
• The damaged components of the skin are restored, as a result of which it is rejuvenated and acquires a healthy appearance.

Preparations based on photosystem cells containing growth factors prevent the appearance of new wrinkles, thinning, and dehydration of the skin. Manufacturers promise the effect of self-renewal of the skin and the return of youthful energy to them.

Are Phyto stem cells dangerous for the human body?

There is a lot of controversy around cosmetics with stem cells. Some people are negative, although its effectiveness has been proven in laboratory studies. There are various myths about the negative effects of such drugs:

• Phytostem cell mass is foreign to the human body and can cause rejection. When it penetrates the deeper layers of the epidermis, it is attacked by the immune system, which will lead to inflammatory processes, rashes, and acne. Korean scientists have proven otherwise. Plant cells do not cause rejection and have a beneficial effect on the skin’s condition.

• Photocells can cause malignant or benign neoplasms. Plant extracts do not carry any genetic information and are used in cosmetics in the form of peptide and enzyme complexes, amino acids, cofactors, and antioxidants. Side effects, including oncology, can appear not from the plant but embryonic stem cells.
• As a result of regular use, addiction occurs. This statement is also incorrect; skin aging processes do not accelerate after rejecting drugs with photocells.
• Photocells can cause hormonal imbalance. In reality, they have nothing to do with hormones; cosmetics based on them are not prohibited even during pregnancy and lactation.

However, one should not hope that their use will turn back the clock and 100% improve skin condition to youthfulness.