# Selected Plants as Sources of Natural and Active Ingredients for Cosmetics of the Future
## 1 Introduction  
For many years, various bioactive substances derived from plant material have been the focus of scientific research, both as potential therapeutic agents, and valuable ingredients that provide the claimed effects of cosmetic preparations (e.g., betulinic acid and betulin extracted from the bark of white birch (_Betula pubescens_) [1], paclitaxel isolated from the bark of _Taxus brevifolia_ (_Pacific Yev_) [2], jojoba [3], tea tree oil (_Melaeuca alternifolia_) [4, 5], and chamomile (_Matricaria chamomilla_ L.) [6]. The development of a healthy and environmentally friendly lifestyle has led to an increased interest in natural products, including photocosmetics. Natural cosmetics are most often chosen by individuals who care about the environment, health, and beauty, and phytotherapy is widely considered a safe alternative to conventional therapies, sometimes even the only effective one in the case of certain skin conditions [7, 8]. The constantly growing interest in natural materials poses a significant challenge for cosmetic companies. Ensuring high-quality cosmetic products requires interdisciplinary collaboration among chemists, cosmetologists, botanists, toxicologists, and biologists. The desire to keep up with increasing competition necessitates the introduction of innovative components and continuous search for new, natural ingredients that are equally as active,or even more effective than conventional, often synthetic ones. The cost of obtaining natural raw materials from certified crops is often higher than that of synthetic materials. However, the effort and resources invested in introducing natural formulations are rewarded with certifications awarded to organic products (_COSMOS_, _Ecocert_, _Cosmebio_, _Soil Association_, _BDIH_, _NaTrue_, _ICEA_, _Vegan Society_), increased attractiveness of the product, and consequently, greater consumer interest and trust [9]. Moreover, utilizing what nature offers has become a symbol of a holistic approach to health care and environmental concern. Plants, being a rich source of bioactive substances, serve as a crucial driver for the cosmetics industry. Therefore, it is imperative to actively seek out, discover, and integrate these botanical ingredients into cosmetic formulations. Modern costemology is based on well-known and valued plants, especially those used for many years in folk medicine. Valuable information about the interesting properties of many plants, especially those useful in treating various diseases but also beneficial for the skin, can be found in sources of ancient knowledge, such as medieval herbals created at the time's centers of science, or prehistoric accounts and legends about skin treatment methods. In this paper, we present a review of the state of knowledge, based on historical sources and the latest scientific reports, regarding the dermatological, cosmetic, and pharmacological properties of several interesting plants, such as _Acmella olerca_ (_A. olerca_), _Centella asiatica_ (_C. asiatica_), _Psorale corylifolia_ (_P. corylifolia_), _Plantago lanccolata_ L. (_P. lanccolata_ L.), and _Solidago virgaurea_ L. (_S. virgaurea_ L.) (Figure 1). We examined the natural habitats and cultivation areas of these plants, which is followed by an overview of the bioactive substances found in extracts derived from them. We emphasized ingredients that hold particular value for the cosmetics industry. The wide spectrum of biological activity indicates the enormous potential of _A. olerca_, _C. asiatica_, _P. corylifolia_, _P. lanccolata_ L., and _S. virgaurea_ L. in formulating new cosmetic and dermatological preparations.