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Common Name(s): Phytoecdysteroids,phytoecdysteroids,plant steroid hormones,erฮฒ protein synthesis anti-aging actives
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Stimulates protein synthesis through erฮฒ receptor activation without classical estrogenic effects, upregulates collagen synthesis for anti-aging, and provides antioxidant protection โ the plant steroid's unique anabolic mechanism distinguishing it from both phytoestrogens and mammalian steroids.
Why It's Used: Phytoecdysteroids are unusual erฮฒ ligands โ the polyhydroxylated steroidal structure activates erฮฒ at kd ~100 nm without significant erฮฑ activity, providing anabolic protein synthesis without the reproductive hormonal effects of classical estrogens.
How It Works: 20-hydroxyecdysone erฮฒ binding (polyhydroxyl steroid, c-20 oh provides receptor contact) โ nuclear erฮฒ โ gre-like response elements โ protein synthesis gene activation. collagen: smad-adjacent pathway โ col1a1 upregulation. antioxidant: polyhydroxyl groups donate h-atoms to ros analogous to polyol antioxidants.
Typically Found In: Anti-aging,muscle-skin cross,anabolic skin care
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ antioxidant
Secondary Functions: Free radical scavenging,anti-aging
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.01%โ1%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived extract or synthetic.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; well-tolerated.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Vitamin c,vitamin e,ferulic acid,spf,other antioxidants
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Phytoecdysteroid regulatory note: 20-hydroxyecdysone is classified as a food supplement in some markets โ verify cosmetic ingredient classification in target markets as the anabolic protein synthesis mechanism may trigger drug/cosmetic boundary review in certain jurisdictions.
Last Verified: 2026-03-22
Primary Sources: Cosing database,phytoecdysteroids 20-hydroxyecdysone erฮฒ anabolic anti-aging review