Beta Sitosterol in Skin Care

Beta-sitosterol in skin care

Beta Sitosterol is a vegan form of cholesterol found in moisturizers for dry skin. It has a few functions in skin care that cholesterol does not.

It is a moisturizing, barrier repairing ingredient like cholesterol, but also has anti-aging benefits. (2)

It can be found in products like barrier repair moisturizers and wrinkle treatment creams.

Cholesterol is one of the main lipid components of the skin barrier, so it is an important ingredient in many types of moisturizers. Beta-sitosterol serves a similar function in barrier repair.

Unfortunately, natural cholesterol can only be derived from animals; this means that products containing cholesterol are never vegan.

To find out if beta-sitosterol is the right moisturizing ingredient for your custom skin care regimen, make sure to take our quiz and shop by your skin type!

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What is beta-sitosterol?

Beta-sitosterol is a synthetic form of cholesterol that is not derived from animals, meaning it is a vegan ingredient that does what cholesterol does to hydrate skin and protect the skin barrier.

Beta-sitosterol is classified as a phytosterol, meaning it’s a plant -derived sterol.

Unlike cholesterol ,which is really just used for hydrating the skin and repairing the skin barrier, beta-sitosterol has uses in anti-aging products as well. (1)

Even though many people simply consider this ingredient to be nothing more than vegan cholesterol, it serves a few functions that cholesterol does not and it keeps animal products out of skin care.

If you are looking for a vegan ingredient that serves similar functions to cholesterol, look no further than the fascinating ingredient, beta-sitosterol.

Benefits

Beta-sitosterol has many properties that allow it to treat dry and wrinkle-prone skin through multiple methods of action.

Studies have found that the barrier repair properties of beta-sitosterol make it a good choice for eczema treatments. (3)

There have been indications in various research trials that show notable antioxidant properties associated with beta-sitosterol. (4)

For those reasons, this ingredient can be a great choice for eczema products, anti-aging moisturizers, as well as sun damage treatments.

When you have eczema or an otherwise damaged skin barrier, your body produces more cholesterol; for that reason, beta-sitosterol is often a better choice for eczema barrier repair products than cholesterol is.

Side-effects

There are no common side-effects associated with the use of beta-sitosterol in skin care, and an allergy is extremely uncommon.

Beta-sitosterol is a lipid with no toxicological or mutagenic concerns.

It is a clean ingredient, and does not pose a specific risk to any particular skin type.

In other words, there is no reason to be concerned when including beta-sitosterol in your custom skin care regimen.

Is it safe?

Beta-sitosterol is considered a very safe ingredient for skin care formulations.

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel found in their report that beta-sitosterol and other phytosterols are safe to use for a broad range of skin concerns. (5)

Additionally, the EWG (the Environmental Working Group) gives beta-sitosterol a grade of “1” for safety and sustainability. It is a clean ingredient, safe to use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

When both of these organizations agree that an ingredient is safe, we are inclined to agree.

If you are looking for a vegan moisturizing, antioxidant ingredient, then beta-sitosterol might be the right ingredient for you!

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For dry skin

Beta-sitosterol is one of the most broadly effective moisturizers in skin care, treating dry skin from multiple angles.

This effective moisturizing ingredient hydrates the skin in four different ways: (2)

Actively strengthens and repairs skin barrier

Increases Hyaluronic acid synthesis which binds water to the skin

It navigates aquaporin channels, allowing it to penetrate deep into the skin quickly (like glycerin)

It assists in the chemical expression of the protein filaggrin which breaks down certain parts of skin cells for a moisturizing effect

Because it expresses so many mechanisms of hydrating skin, beta-sitosterol is a great ingredient in most types of moisturizers.

Many moisturizing ingredients only have one or two functions such as humectant properties, barrier repair, or occlusive textures. It is unusual, but great, for an ingredient to be this versatile for treating a specific concern.

To find the right moisturizer for your skin, take our quiz and shop by your Baumann Skin Type!

If for whatever reason you are not interested in this ingredient, some other great moisturizing ingredients to consider might be glycerin, Jojoba oil, Safflower oil, or Avocado oil There are dozens of kinds of moisturizers made of countless hydrating ingredients.

For wrinkle-prone skin

Antioxidants are extremely important additions to any anti-aging regimen.

One of the main causes of skin aging is free radicals on the skin causing genetic damage to cells.

Antioxidants like beta-sitosterol are able to bind and eliminate these free radicals which helps your skin stay healthy. (4)

This ingredient does not remedy all the concerns of aging, however, and would be most effective alongside a collagen stimulating ingredient like salicylic or glycolic acid.

Otherwise, retinoids, cysteamine, resveratrol, or azelaic acid are all great candidates to use alongside beta-sitosterol in anti-aging products.

For sun damage

The primary effect of sun damage on skin health is radiation based free radicals causing damage to healthy skin cells.

In the same way that beta-sitosterol binds free radicals that cause wrinkles and age-related genetic damage, it scavenges radiation based ions.

Most sunscreens contain ingredients that bind free radicals, so beta-sitosterol might have a place in many sunscreens.

Products

Once you take our quiz and find your skin type, check out some of our favorite products containing beta-sitosterol!

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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