Benefits of Phytosterols for your skin and hair

From food to cosmetics, phytosterols are everywhere! Studies have shown that eating foods that are rich in phytosterols contribute to good health. Phytosterols are found in a variety of vegetables and fruits and provide a great amount of nutrients for the heart. But what are they?

What are phytosterols

Phytosterols also known as ‘plant sterols’ are phytochemicals which have the same molecular structure as cholesterol. 

They are found in vegetable oils,nuts and seeds such as  avocado, saw palmetto, pumpkin seed, cashew nuts, beans, vegetable oil, corn oil, soybean oil, canola oil, peanut oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, wheat germ, rice bran, etc. Nowadays, even food products are being fortified with plant sterols to embrace their amazing benefits. Phytosterols are important for their cholesterol-lowering effects, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and the benefits they offer to the immune system. Their cholesterol lowering effects make them a  good candidate for fighting heart diseases, lowering the risk of cancer, and contributing to weight loss. Implementing phytosterols in your diet has amazing benefits for your health.

But today we will focus on their benefits or our skin and hair.

Benefits of phytosterols for skin

Clinical studies have shown that the functions of phytosterols are similar to cholesterol which prevent the breakdown and loss of collagen. Hence, their wide use  in topical beauty products as emollients(especially lotions and creams). Phytosterols, which are derived from plants with deeply moisturizing plant components have been found to deliver anti-aging skin benefits especially for aging skin due to excessive sun exposure/damage.

A decline in the body’s collagen production which is caused by factors such as  sun damage and the natural aging process become more evident with age and time .   

Researchers have found that phytosterols help slow down naturally collagen decline while also stimulating the creation of new collagen within the skin.

Benefits of phytosterols for hair

Phytosterols are one of the best natural treatments for hair loss and hair thinning. According to research studies, an increase in the levels of androgen in the body is responsible for hereditary hair loss, hair thinning and alopecia in both men and women.Including , phytosterols in diet can inhibit the formation of 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme which plays a key role in transforming testosterone in our body into the androgen DHT(dihydrotestosterone).  Some hair regrowth treatments such as Minoxidil and Finasteride have proven to solve hair loss issues. However they have side effects which can cause many health issues and leave many with unsatisfactory results. 

Studies were conducted on patients experiencing hair loss. They were given nutritional supplements containing a mixture of phytosterols and Omega 3 & 6 which in turn showed a positive effect on the overall scalp and improvement of hair quality.

At Denaturelle we carefully select premium organic ingredients to craft hair products that work effectively without the side- effects caused by many hair restoration treatments. Our whipped hair butter contains pumpkin seed oil and avocado oil to provide moisture to your dry tresses, slow down hair fall and sometimes eliminates it completely.

What are your favorite plant-based oils? Send us your best tips on how to use them and don’t forget to follow us on social media.