Anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory; these are some of the effects exhibited upon the consumption of a certain phytosterol called Beta-Sitosterol. Beta-Sitosterol is found in many plants, and therefore is also found in many natural cosmetic oils. Although there has long been serious consideration and discussion about the effects of applying Beta-Sitosterols directly to the skin, it wasn’t until recently where an important study was published that states the success of this phytosterol when applied as a skin serum.
The first study that was done was completed in 2014 and focused specifically on Beta-Sitosterol’s effect on atopic skin lesions that resemble dermatitis. The group of scientists conducting the study noted that Beta-Sitosterol has been proven to have positive health effects when consumed, but there has been little to no research testing its application to skin. After observing and testing skin lesions using Beta-Sitosterols and a control serum, they confirmed their hypothesis saying that Beta-Sitosterol “can be helpful in treating allergic inflammatory diseases including atopic dermatitis.”
So how does this pertain to us? Well it turns out that natural oils from South Africa contain impressive levels of Beta-Sitosterol. For example, our Marula oil contains 287 mg/100g of b-Sitosterol, our Baobab oil – 438 mg/100g, and our Kalahari Melon Seed oil contains an impressive 486 mg/100g. For comparison, olive oil, on average, has 80-97 mg/100g of Beta-Sitosterol. We are hopeful that as further research becomes available on this specific phytosterol we will be able to collectively understand more about the positive effects of Beta-Sitosterol.