## 4 Discussion  
The conducted research confirmed the high effectiveness of cream with micellar extract of common bean (_Phaseolus vulgaris_ L.) sprouts as an innovative cosmetic ingredient for mature skin care. The decision to select a reference cream (CR) from among the many available on the market was thoughtful and carefully evaluated for effectiveness. We aimed to choose a product with confirmed antiwrinkle, firming, and moisturizing effects to provide a reliable basis for comparison with our cream containing a natural extract from common bean sprouts (_P. vulgaris_). Our goal was to also demonstrate that the innovative formula of our product, based on a natural, plant-derived ingredient, is comparable to the antiwrinkle, firming, and moisturizing effects of creams with costly synthetic active ingredients. It is worth noting that synthetic ingredients, such as 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, despite their beneficial moisturizing properties, may exhibit an irritating potential, further supporting the advantages of natural alternatives in cosmetic formulations. All tested creams, including the reference, were stable o/w emulsions, with no signs of phase separation. The occlusive properties, crucial for predicting moisturizing efficacy, were comparable across formulations and the reference cream, with occlusion rates of approximately 50%. While these values indicate moderate occlusion, [PERSON] [13] classifies coefficients above 60% as highly occlusive, suggesting room for improvement in enhancing skin hydration. The droplet size observed in this study is typical and consistent with values reported in the literature [18; 19]. The properties of a cosmetic cream, such as rheology, stability, texture, and color, are largely determined by the droplet size of the dispersed phase. Finer droplets lead to higher viscosity, better stability, brighter appearance, smoother texture, and more favorable application properties, such as easier spreading and higher absorption rate [18; 19]. The pH of all formulations was also determined and found to be close to the natural pH of the skin, making these creams safe for the skin [20]. The preparations showed small differences in dynamic viscosity and comparable thixotropy. The obtained rheological results indicate that all formulations will behave similarly during application, will be easy to dispense from the container, spread easily, and absorb quickly [15; 16; 21; 22]. These properties were also confirmed in complementary spreadability and slip tests. The exception was cream C6, which, due to its 6% emulsifier content and high concentration of consistency-forming agents, exhibited higher apparent viscosity and a high yield stress value. This translated into a lower spreadability coefficient and a higher force required to spread the cream. The parameters of C6 cream suggest it is suitable for use as an eye cream or regenerating night cream [22]. There is a relationship between the rheological properties of cosmetic formulations and sensory perception. Cosmetic formulations are more favorably evaluated when they exhibit pseudo-plastic flow according to the power law model [22]. Long-term stability and accelerated aging tests are crucial for assessing the quality and safety of cosmetics [23]. Long-term stability testing of cream C1 and the reference cream showed that both products remained stable throughout the test period. The stability tests conducted on the cream with micellar extract from common bean sprouts enabled its testing in a study involving volunteers. Modern research confirms that the use of advanced measuring equipment tools is essential in dermatology and cosmetology to provide adequate skin care and effectively counteract the aging process. Mature skin is characterized by numerous changes resulting from both internal biological processes and external environmental factors. The main characteristics of mature skin include loss of elasticity, decreased hydration, and the appearance of wrinkles and discoloration.