Sprout Extracts in Skin Care and Hair Growth: Evidence and Future Opportunities

This review explores the potential of sprout extracts in skin care and hair growth, emphasizing their rich bioactive compounds like phenolic acids, flavonoids, and isothiocyanates, which exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties. These compounds contribute to improved skin health by stimulating collagen synthesis, inhibiting matrix metalloproteinases, enhancing epidermal hydration, and suppressing inflammatory pathways. The review analyzed 31 studies, mostly in vitro and animal-based, suggesting that sprout extracts may enhance skin elasticity, hydration, and photoprotection. Clinical evidence is still preliminary, with a notable trial involving 45 women showing improved skin hydration and elasticity using common bean sprout extract. For hair growth, pea sprout extract increased expression of growth factors, while perilla sprout extract enhanced dermal papilla cell proliferation. Despite promising findings, limitations include small sample sizes and insufficient human trials, necessitating further research to confirm efficacy and safety.