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What is the composition of phytocosmetics?

The emergence of phytocosmetics is inextricably linked with the development of phytochemical trends in the pharmacological and perfumery-cosmetic industries. When the opportunity arose to prepare medicinal and cosmetic preparations from chemical extracts of medicinal plants, along with this the opportunity arose to prepare cosmetics called “natural”.

Phytocosmetics remedies most often have regional production. In some regions, the industrial development of cosmetics has acquired a plant-based direction due to the fact that favorable natural conditions make it possible to have a constant raw material base - the local flora is rich in representatives of those medicinal plants that are safe to use in phytocosmetics.

What is the composition of phytocosmetics? The main direction of phytocosmetics is the prevention and healing of the skin of the face and body, as well as mucous membranes through various beneficial substances contained in plants, and, most importantly, having biologically active properties that improve the skin and tissue of the subcutaneous layers, tissue of the oral mucosa and organs genitourinary system. Therefore, phytocosmetics remedies include such components as plant juices, essential oils and extracts (concentrates and extracts) of plants beneficial to health.

Phytocosmetics are interesting because they contain not just extracts of beneficial and medicinal plants, but precisely those substances of plant origin that are called biologically active factors. This is the basis of phytocosmetics products that have a hormonal effect based on plant hormones.

What plants can be found in phytocosmetics? In the production of phytocosmetics, as a rule, extracts are prepared from fresh plant materials (leaves, stems, roots, bark, bulbs, flower petals and pollen) of medicinal or food plants and herbal preparations from these plants. Many useful concentrates are extracted from the roots of carrots, celery, pumpkin fruits, tomatoes, cucumbers, from the petioles and leaves of spinach, lettuce, sage, and mint. Juices of citrus fruits, bananas, apples, tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, carrots, and pumpkins are used in phytocosmetics.

If the main direction of phytocosmetics is medicinal in nature, then the raw materials used for the preparation of phytocosmetics must contain active medicinal substances, for example, antiseptics (essential oils), reparants (juices with vitamin A), stimulants, natural acids, fats and protein components. These substances must be absorbed by the body, passing the skin and mucous barrier.

If phytocosmetics is aimed at a preventive effect, then substances from plant materials act as tissue softeners, tissue nutrition, tissue protection, or they have an anti-inflammatory effect, antimicrobial barrier effect, for example, pectins , vegetable oils, tannins .

Phytocosmetics may contain fermentation products or industrial products of waxes, salts, natural alkalis or natural acids. Bee honey is a very common component of phytocosmetics. Often phytocosmetics contain components of animal origin, for example, egg yolks or whites, fats from fish and open water animals (whale or seal fat), milk fats, and sour milk components. Many phytocosmetics contain beeswax, rose oil wax, and plant resins.

In total, there are about 400 food and medicinal plants suitable for the production of phytocosmetics. In terms of its composition, phytocosmetics often overlap with medical cosmetics, and many cosmetics are used in both directions of cosmetic action. With the advent of industrially produced phytocosmetics, the need to prepare cosmetics and cosmetic preparations at home on your own has disappeared.