Phytoestrogens are among those plant compounds that attract the close attention of researchers and equally high attention of consumers of products where these compounds are included. Plants, which were credited with anti-aging properties, were used by many peoples, about which quite reliable information has come down to our time, and in these plants scientists have actually found phytoestrogens. These substances cause ambiguous interpretations among medical professionals, estet-portal.com I tried to tell you more about phytoestrogens.
What does the female hormone do in plants
Estrogen is a female sex hormone that performs many very important functions in the body – first of all, concerning the possibility of a woman to become pregnant, bear a fetus and then breastfeed a child. In addition to these functions, estrogen is responsible for the strength and density of muscles, with its deficiency, problems with bone density begin, and finally, the elasticity and firmness of the skin largely depends on it.
In human skin, estrogen maintains the level of moisture, takes part in the synthesis of new elastin and collagen fibers, hyaluronic acid molecules, and increases the protective properties of the skin. If the level of estrogen in the body decreases – for example, during the onset of menopause, this immediately affects the state of the body:
- bone fragility increases;
- increases skin sensitivity;
- it becomes thinner and drier.
The less estrogen in the body, the easier wrinkles form on it.
With age, skin cell receptors lose their ability to respond to hormones, so cosmetics with estrogen or hormone replacement therapy can not always significantly improve skin condition.
Plant extracts that had an estrogen-like effect on the skin and the body as a whole were called phytoestrogens. Wild rice extract, soy porridge, wild yam extract soup, various fruit and herb infusions… All these plant elements have been used for thousands of years by different peoples of the world, as they were considered capable of restoring youth and prolonging life. However, the chemical essence of the elements that were called estrogens & nbsp; for their resemblance to real human hormones, was deciphered not so long ago, in the middle of the 20th century.
Substances with an estrogen-like effect contain a phenolic compound and are divided into coumestans, prenylflavonoids, isoflavones. In plants, which are considered to be phytoestrogens – for example, in soybeans – usually contains isoflavones. Their peculiarity is that they are able to bind to estrogen-sensitive cell receptors.
How phytoestrogens are obtained and what they are used for
Modern biotechnologies allow plants containing isoflavones to be subjected to special treatment using bacteria. As a result, substances with hormone-like activity are obtained, the molecules of which are so small that they are able, like real hormones, to bind to estrogen receptors of cells, which means – and have an effect similar to hormones.
Today, phytoestrogens have become one of the ingredients in cosmetics for aging skin, in oily skin care products, especially if it is associated with high sensitivity to androgens.
Phytoestrogens help reduce pores, reduce the severity of inflammatory reactions on the skin, help even out its relief – all this is due to its hormone-like action. In addition, phytoestrogens are capable of:
- soften the skin and increase its hydration;
- strengthen the protective functions of the skin;
- restore firmness and elasticity;
- reduce the appearance of wrinkles;
- Slow down the rate of skin aging.
Cosmetics with phytoestrogens can be used not only for the face, but also to improve the tone of the skin of the chest, improve the quality of the skin on the body. At the same time, cosmetics with phytoestrogens are really completely feminine – it does not have any rejuvenating effect on male skin.
Share:
Add a comment