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Copyright @ Pol J Cosmetol
Pol J Cosmetol 2020, 23(1): 23-26en  Phytocosmetology - natural source of active ingredientsDaria Kaczmarczyk 1,2/, Radosław Kaczmarczyk 3/ 1/ Institute of Health, Angelus Silesius University of Applied Sciences in Wałbrzych 2/ Institute of Cosmetology, Wrocław College of Physiotherapy 3/ Vitusapotek Husnes, Norway Summary Presently one can observe an increase in popularity of natural ingredients supported by strong scientific evidence of their efficacy (including medicine, cosmetology or pharma industries). Moreover, the excessive amounts of synthetic substances found in environment, household chemicals, medicines, cosmetics as well as food, may have adverse influence on human body. Above aspects have caused industries to reach out for products that can be found in nature. Analysing historical background of cosmetology, one can find numerous evidences of natural methods being used in hygiene, care, perfuming or beautifying the body. Fruit acids, commonly known nowadays, were also widely used in classical era. Arab healer Avicenna (circa 1030 AD) in his ´Canon medicinae´ characterised nearly 400 plants and herbs originating from Europe and Asia, whereas German medic and naturalist Paracelsus greatly contributed to evolution of phytotherapy in Europe in 16th century. Phytocosmetology erected as a branch of phytotherapy utilising beneficial properties of plants in skin and hair care as well as in manufacturing natural cosmetics. Key words: phytotherapy, natural cosmetics, plant extracts |