Let’s face the truth: The fountain of youth doesn't exist. But you can at least somewhat delay natural skin aging. Holistically speaking, skin health is influenced by several factors. Since we can't change much about genetics, it's even more important to do good for your skin with a healthy diet, exercise and sports, and a balanced work-life balance. Equally true: avoid alcohol and nicotine, consume little industrial sugar, and always protect your skin from the sun!
If, for example, you notice wrinkles around your eyes, less defined facial contours, pigmentation spots, and a tired, dull complexion, it's time to start with targeted slow-aging care. Visible skin aging usually begins around the age of 30. But don't worry: there's support in bottles, tubes, and jars. Special active ingredients can demonstrably slow down skin aging and sometimes even repair existing damage (e.g., from UV light). The latest breakthrough against wrinkles & co are phyto stem cells…
WHAT ARE STEM CELLS?
Stem cells are true superheroes: during cell division, they create a copy of themselves and a new tissue cell. This is known in science as asymmetric cell division. In humans, stem cells are found throughout the body – including the skin. The stem cells residing in the skin (epidermal stem cells) have the task of keeping the skin intact and healthy, but also of repairing cell damage caused by environmental influences such as UV radiation, thereby preventing premature skin aging. Important to know: Of the approximately 30 billion cells in the human body, less than 1% are stem cells. While the number of these power cells does not decrease over the course of a lifetime, they lose about half of their strength by their 40th birthday. This means the skin heals less quickly and regenerates significantly slower. It becomes more sensitive to external challenges.
PLANT STEM CELLS FOR HUMAN SKIN
One might think that this deficit could be compensated for with stem cells from external sources. This is correct. Stem cell research for the cosmetics industry has enormous potential. However, unlike in the medical field for healing severe burns, research here is not conducted with human stem cells, but with plant stem cells! Just like humans, plants also have stem cells. They are found at the tips of shoots and at the root tips.
HOW PHYTO STEM CELLS WORK IN COSMETICS
International studies have shown that extracts from plant stem cells are rich in polyphenols, phenolic acid, flavonoids, triterpenes, carotenoids, and peptides. Thanks to this powerful mix, these small slow-aging stars can stimulate the skin's natural collagen/elastin production and thus ward off premature skin aging.
GOJI BERRY STEM CELLS AGAINST PREMATURE SKIN AGING
Goji berry stem cells, in particular, are promising slow-aging helpers, according to studies and research findings. The goji berry from China (also known as wolfberry) is renowned worldwide as a superfood and powerful adaptogen. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these small red berries have long been popular: they contain a lot of vitamin C, B1 and B2, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, carotenoids, polyphenols, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and peptides. They also stand out with valuable amino acids. The skin benefits from their rejuvenating, firming, and skin tone-evening effects, as well as the stimulation of the skin's own collagen synthesis.
INCI: PHYTOCELLTEC™ GOJI – GOJI BERRY STEM CELL EXTRACT
In skincare, a stem cell extract of the beauty berry, under the trade name "PhytoCellTec™ Goji," based on Goji berry stem cells, is used. Important: The plant's genetic material is not genetically modified! According to researchers and dermatologists, this highly innovative cosmetic active ingredient has a revitalizing effect on mesenchymal stem cells. Mesenchymal stem cells are a subtype of epidermal stem cells responsible for regeneration – especially for wound healing. They can stimulate the natural production of collagen and elastin.
IN VIVO STUDIES SHOW VISIBLE RESULTS
The Swiss biotech company that produces the patented Goji stem cell extract was able to demonstrate in vivo its effectiveness in visibly improving facial contours. The active ingredient also reduces lines and wrinkles, increases skin density, collagen and elastin production, and moisture retention capacity. For the innovative active ingredient PhytoCellTec™ Goji, the company was recently awarded the BSB Innovation Award in the "Cosmetic Actives and Naturals - Anti-Ageing" category at the globally renowned in-cosmetics trade fair in Paris.
Good to know: Independent studies – e.g., from The State University of New Jersey/USA or Cracow University of Technology/Poland – also conclude that plant stem cells, among other things, are capable of promoting the lifespan and regeneration of fibroblasts.
PHYTOCELLTEC™ GOJI MEETS RUHI
For ruhi, this biotechnological innovation is particularly interesting. As a brand, we stand for holistic, effective, and at the same time completely naturally formulated skincare that addresses the most important skincare needs of the skin.
Our balanced blend of bioactive antioxidants and adaptogens, anti-inflammatory plant extracts, and powerful moisturizers provides the skin with all the necessary nutrients and moisture for a long time, intensively regenerates and repairs it, protects it from harmful environmental influences, and restores its healthy balance.
This slows down skin aging and sustainably improves the complexion – for a healthy, radiant glow. It's clear that the 100% plant-based power ingredient PhytoCellTec™ Goji fits perfectly into our natural active ingredient care.
NEW AT RUHI: THE ADAPTOGEN TONER SERUM
The phyto stem cell extract makes its debut in our Adaptogen Toner Serum. This innovative hybrid skincare, combining a toner and an active ingredient treatment, unites the powerful effect of a serum with the refreshing, invigorating, hydrating, and balancing effect of a facial toner. The product is 100% natural and vegan, with 84% of the ingredients coming from organic farming.
The Adaptogen Toner Serum, based on organic Damascus rose hydrolate and organic aloe vera juice, is intensely moisturizing, firming, pH-balancing, and soothing. The highlight active ingredient is PhytoCellTec™ Goji. Clinical studies confirm that twice-daily treatment with 0.4% of this goji berry stem cell extract reduces wrinkle depth by 11% after 56 days and increases skin firmness by 6% after just 28 days.
ruhi's Adaptogen Toner Serum even contains 1% Goji berry stem cell extract, ensuring optimal results. In combination with additional adaptogens as biologically active plant compounds, the skin is optimally protected from potentially harmful environmental influences such as UV/HEV light, and the skin barrier is strengthened.
STEM CELLS IN COSMETICS - THESE ARE THE BENEFITS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
The increasing popularity of plant stem cell extracts, like those from the Goji berry, in cosmetics is also linked to consumers' strong interest in sustainability. Thanks to forward-looking biotechnology, it is possible to extract stem cells from plants in the lab and cultivate them.
This allows for controlled propagation of the plant. This also works for very rare plants or endangered species. Laboratory cultivation produces very pure, highly concentrated extracts – always when needed, regardless of resources, seasons, and harvest times. The quality is also consistently high.
Your skin benefits from this, as does nature, because large cultivation areas do not need to be tilled, and natural resources are conserved. The laboratory method would also use significantly less water and generate fewer greenhouse gases. Pesticides and fertilizers could be completely avoided.
So there are many good reasons for further research into phyto stem cells and phyto stem cell extracts in skincare. We are sure: the Goji berry will soon face competition…
Sources
The State University of New Jersey, 2017: Plant Stem Cells in Cosmetics: current Trends and future Directions.
Cracow University of Technology, Warszawska, 2018: Anti-aging Properties of Plant Stem Cell Extracts.
University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland, 2014: Plant Stem Cells as Innovation in Cosmetics.
Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2019: Goji Berries as a Potential Natural Antioxidant Medicine: An Insight into Their Molecular Mechanisms of Action.
Phytomedicine, 2005: Lycium barbarum glycoconjugates: effect on human skin and cultured dermal fibroblasts.
PhytoCellTec™ Goji: Stem cell activation for a V-shaped face
