## 2 Materials and Methods
### Evaluation of Physicochemical and Organoleptic Properties
#### 2.3.10 Long-Term Stability and Accelerated Aging Studies for C1 Cream  
Physical stability tests were carried out under accelerated (180 days; 40 \(\pm\) 2 \({}^{\circ}\)C/75 \(\pm\) 5% relative humidity) and long-term (180 days; 20 \(\pm\) 2 \({}^{\circ}\)C; 4 \(\pm\) 2 \({}^{\circ}\)C) conditions. For this purpose, 900 g of cream was prepared according to the C1 recipe and divided into 3 containers of 300 g. The sample containers were stored at the indicated temperatures. At predetermined intervals, i.e., after 7, 30, 90, and 180 days, each sample was subjected to tests, including organoleptic evaluation, centrifugal stability, viscosity, pH, and microscopic analysis with oil-phase size determination. These tests allowed the stability of the formulation to be assessed over time. Tests were performed after 1 day, 7 days, 30 days, 90 days, and 180 days of storage under the conditions described above. The same tests were also performed for the reference cream. Evaluation of the Efficacy of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) _Sprout Extract Cream Under In Vivo Conditions_  
The research project entitled 'Plant micellar extracts of common bean sprout as active ingredients of creams for mature skin care' was positively reviewed and approved by the Bioethics Committee of the Medical University of Lublin with the number KE 0254/191/2021 of 19 August 2021. The study involved women with mature skin aged 40 years or older. The study included 45 female subjects aged 42-64 years (mean age 51.91 \(\pm\) 6.13 years). There were no statistically significant differences in age between the study groups (ANOVA F = 0.17, \(p\) = 0.84). Individuals with atopic skin, a tendency for allergies, or active inflammatory lesions were excluded from the study. Individuals who were currently suffering from or had a history of cancer, as well as those undergoing cancer treatment (radiotherapy and chemotherapy), were also excluded from the study. Each subject provided voluntary, informed, written consent to participate in the research procedure. The participants wereinformed that they could withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason. The study was conducted as a single-blind trial. The participants were randomly assigned to three groups, each comprising 15 individuals. They were instructed to apply the assigned cream twice a day for a period of 12 weeks, with no other skincare creams allowed during the experiment, except for makeup and facial makeup remover. Group one--placebo group: participants in group one received cream C1 for testing but without the micellar extract of common bean sprout (_P. vulgaris_) (placebo). Group two--extract group: participants in group two received cream C1 for testing, containing 4% micellar extract of common bean sprout (_P. vulgaris_) (extract). Group three--reference group: participants in group three received a commercially popular antiwrinkle cream for testing (CR). The reference cream, according to the manufacturer's data, is designed for the care of mature, dry, and demanding skin. The cream contains active ingredients such as synthetic coenzyme Q10, which stimulates cellular metabolism, increases collagen production, and acts as an antioxidant, as well as creatine, also of synthetic origin, which supports collagen and elastin production, provides energy to skin cells, and aids in skin regeneration. Additionally, the formula includes 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, a synthetic compound with moisturizing properties. On the day of the test, participants were instructed not to apply the cream or makeup. All measurements were taken in the same room under controlled conditions of temperature (22-24 \({}^{\circ}\)C) and humidity (40-50%), at similar times of day, following a minimum of 15 min of acclimatization in the measurement room. To evaluate the effectiveness of the creams, skin parameters were measured before the experiment (measurement 1--M1), after 4 weeks (measurement 2--M2), after 8 weeks (measurement 3--M3), and after 12 weeks (measurement 4--M4).