In the past couple of years, you may have noticed plant stem cells making an appearance in all sorts of skincare products. From serums to moisturizers to eye creams, plant stem cells seem to be everywhere–but what do they actually do for your skin? Today, we’re taking a deep dive into the wonderful world of plant stem cells: we’ll learn what they are, what they’re for, and what benefits they can bring to your skincare routine. Let’s get to it!
On this post:
- What are plant stem cells?
- How plant stem cells benefit the skin
- Potential side effects of plant stem cells
- Who should use plant stem cells?
- How to use plant stem cells in your skincare routine
- What kind of products contain plant stem cells?
What are plant stem cells?
In the simplest of terms, plant stem cells are stem cells sourced from plants. And what are stem cells, you ask? Stem cells are undifferentiated cells with the ability to change into specialized cells while also maintaining their own population; in other words, stem cells can produce specialized cells while continuously replenishing their own numbers.
Studies have shown that, “similar to animals, the stem cells in plants have properties that help stimulate and regenerate plants after injury.” This means, in practical terms, that plant stem cells have powerful regenerative and repairing properties, which often come in handy in the world of skincare.
Plant stem cells are obtained through biotech processes and may be extracted from different parts of the plant, such as the buds, fruits, or the terminal section of the root. It’s worth nothing that, although plant stem cells are natural ingredients, it takes a lot of advanced technology to be able to extract and use them without altering their self-regenerative properties.
How plant stem cells benefit the skin
They offer antioxidant benefits
According to studies, “the extracts from plant stem cells are an excellent source of known antioxidant compounds, such as polyphenols, phenolic acids, flavonoids, triterpenes, carotenoids, and peptides.” Antioxidants are powerful components of an anti-aging skincare routine, as they help fight off the free radicals that are often responsible for visible signs of skin aging.
Some plant stem cells with proven antioxidant action include grape (Vitis vinifera), summer lilac (Buddleja davidii), common lilac (Syringa vulgaris), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), raspberry (Rubus idaeus), paper mulberry (Brussonetia kazinoki), magnolia (Magnolia sieboldii), green tea (Camelia sinensis), and white ginseng (Panax ginsen, among many others.
Potential side effects of plant stem cells
As far as we know, there are currently no identified side effects for skincare containing plant stem cells. However, as with all skincare ingredients, sensitivity, itching or skin irritation may occur. If you are using plant stem cells for the first time, it’s never a bad idea to do a patch test first to see how your skin reacts! This is especially important if you have sensitive or reactive skin.
Plant stem cells and sun exposure
If there is any incompatibility between the use of plant stem cell skincare and sun exposure, science hasn’t quite cracked it yet. However, this doesn’t mean that you should apply your new skincare product and go sunbathe for hours on end–moderate sun exposure, accompanied by the use of high protection sunscreen, is an essential part of a well-balanced skincare routine. This is especially true if you’re trying to tackle signs of aging, as sun exposure is known to exacerbate those!
Plant stem cells and pregnancy
The use of skincare products that contain plant stem cells is not, according to current scientific knowledge, contraindicated during pregnancy. Nonetheless, make sure to check with your doctor or healthcare provider; they’ll be better equipped to help you make informed decisions about your skincare during your pregnancy!
Who should use plant stem cells?
Due to their great antioxidant potential, plant stem cells can be a good addition to the skincare routine of anyone who worries about preventing and correcting the first signs of aging, such as dullness and fine lines. Those concerned about preventing oxidative stress caused by sun exposure can also benefit from using these ingredients.
Additionally, but thinking less about skin concerns and more about personal choices, plant stem cells can be a great option for those who prefer to use natural ingredients in their skin care routine.
How to use plant stem cells in your skincare routine
Due to their antioxidant benefits, plant stem cells are a great addition to an anti-aging skincare routine. Since you can find plant stem cells in serums, moisturizers, and even eye creams (we’ll show you some in a second), you’re at freedom to choose where to integrate these powerful antioxidants into your skincare routine. And, as there are no known incompatibilities between plant stem cells and sun exposure, you can also choose whether to use them in the morning or in the evening, according to your preferences!
What kind of products contain plant stem cells?
Plant stem cell serums
If you’re looking for a product entirely based on plant stem cells, the Mádara Plant Stem Cell Concentrate is the way to go. Formulated with stem cells from the northern dragonhead flower (Dracocephalum ruyschiana), this concentrate has a strong antioxidant and repairing action that helps increase the skin’s resistance against sun damage. It therefore helps to prevent signs of aging. Use 1-3 drops of this concentrate mixed with your regular moisturizer, and you’ll find that adding the properties of plant stem cells to your skincare routine has never been easier!
For a more traditional serum that you can use on its own, we like the Sensilis Origin Pro EGF-5 [Serum] Global Rejuvenating Concentrate. Formulated from growth factors, which provide a regenerating action, and stem cell extracts from apple (Malus domestica) and grape (Vitis vinifera), which offer an antioxidant action, this serum offers a global anti-aging action that minimizes the appearance of many signs of aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity and firmness.
![Sensilis Origin Pro EGF-5 [Serum] Global Rejuvenating Concentrate 30ml](https://static.beautytocare.com/media/catalog/product//s/e/sensilis-origin-pro-egf-5-serum-global-rejuvenating-concentrate-30ml.jpg)
Plant stem cell moisturizers
TONYMOLY Red Retinol Radiance Cream is an anti-aging cream that combines, in a single formula, the smoothing and firming effectiveness of retinol with the antioxidant properties of plant stem cells. In this formula, the chosen stem cells were those of pomegranate, which promote the resilience of the skin and thus help it resist everyday environmental aggressions. Last, but not least, the formula also includes Centella asiatica, which offers a soothing action to the skin, ensuring its comfort and well-being even while using anti-aging actives.
If you’re looking for a night cream that does all the work for you, look at the BeautyLab Youth Elixir Advanced Cell Recovery Night Complex. Formulated with multiple types of stem cells, this cream provides a repairing and regenerating effect, deeply moisturizing the skin and, at the same time, minimizing signs of aging. The formula includes antioxidant-rich orchid stem cell extract and a unique Stem Cell Peptide Complex, derived from fermented botanical extracts of green tea, sweet marjoram, sea buckthorn, and gooseberry.
Plant stem cell eye creams
One of our Care to Beauty community’s favorite eye creams, the Filorga Time-Filler Eyes 5XP Correction Eye Cream, includes plant stem cells in its composition! In addition to NCEF, a Filorga-exclusive revitalizing complex, this formula includes anti-aging peptides and antioxidant-rich orchid stem cells. The end result is an eye cream with a global action, capable of minimizing signs of aging around the eye contour, whether they are dark circles, fine lines, wrinkles, or loss of firmness.
From Korean brand Holika Holika comes the Holika Holika Prime Youth Black Snail Repair Eye Cream, an anti-aging eye cream whose base ingredient is hydrating and repairing snail mucin. In addition to this, the formula also features red ginseng stem cells, which offer a powerful antioxidant action. If you are looking for a deeply repairing and regenerating cream to apply to your eye contour, this is a great option!
Now that you know more about the benefits of plant stem cells, you know how to integrate these high-tech natural ingredients into your skincare routine. Make sure to combine them with other antioxidant and anti-aging ingredients, such as ferulic acid or peptides, for the best results!
