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 Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.