FEATURE ARTICLES

Fluorescent materials absorb light energy, and re-emit it at a longer wavelength. Fluorescence is used in a range of industries, including cosmetics. Usually, synthetic substances are employed.

A novel neurocosmetic soothing active, a biomimetic peptide inspired by the analgesic component of sea anemone venom, immediately comforts sensitive skin after the first application.

The Zika virus epidemic in particular has highlighted the threat resulting from bloodsucking parasites. In the past, Europeans attributed health concerns mostly to ticks, while mosquitoes were regarded mainly as a nuisance.

Oatmeal has been used for many centuries as a soothing agent to relieve itch and irritation associated with various dry skin conditions. In 1945, a ready to use colloidal oatmeal, produced by finely grinding the oat and boiling it to extract the colloidal material, became commercially available.1 Today, colloidal oatmeal is available in various dosage forms from powders for bathing to shampoos, shaving gels, and moisturising creams.

Ageing is one of the unavoidable processes in life and can be defined as changes in structures and tissue processes that affect related organs and systems with time.

Star ingredient of a famous energy drink, taurine is gradually conquering the health and beauty segments. Beyond its energising properties, this atypical amino acid is on the way to becoming one of the new anti-ageing molecules. Working on special culture conditions of Jania rubens in a photo-bioreactor, allowed the development of the first plant-based taurine ingredient.

The Immune Balance Rating™ (IBR) system is an exciting new in vitrotesting protocol for sunscreens and other topical products based upon cellular responses from skin and immune cells. The system compares products to a reference standard and measures five cellular outputs. Each output gives a relative rating and the product is then scored based on the average across all areas. This allows standardised grading of products and more substantive claims and targeted marketing.

Historically soap is known to mankind as a substance for cleaning purposes and its manufacturing process has evolved over a period of time which are currently known as swing and kettle processes.1

Cosmetic ingredients are not only developed for technical functions but also for specific sensory targets.

In recent years, we have seen an increasing blurring of the boundaries between skin care and colour cosmetics in terms of product formats, benefits, and claims. This certainly has not been lost on ingredient manufacturers, with a noticeable trend of traditionally skin care-oriented active ingredients being repositioned, and in cases re-tested, specifically targeting use in colour cosmetics.

In 2016 it was estimated that the European cosmetic market was worth €77 billion and that about 25% of all cosmetics placed on the market each year are new.1 Product claims and advertising play an important part in persuading customers to purchase cosmetic products.

Scents of the upcoming seasons are inspired by nature. Compositions reminding of the African grasslands, as well as aquatic fresh notes taking the colourful submarine world as an inspiration, are making up trend topics of the year.

Fragrances are a powerful emotional trigger for people and consequently are a hugely important aspect of personal care products. These ingredients operate as brand signifier as well as connoting a wide range of other meanings.

As consumers around the world are continually being encouraged to exercise their bodies as well as their brains, beauty brands are formulating products to help them in their quest for health and fitness.

A referendum held in the UK on 23 June 2016 resulted in one of the most important political changes in Britain’s post-war history.

HtrA1 is serine protease which has been identified in the epidermis.1 Although the precise function of HtrA1 in the epidermis is still unclear, some reports have suggested that HtrA1 is involved in programmed cell death, apoptosis and anoikis.2,3

Latest scientific evidence confirms, that air pollution contributes to premature skin ageing and may even be the primary cause of ageing in some cases. Especially for particulate matter and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) negative influence on skin integrity has been shown.

Water comprises over 70% of the Earth’s surface and is the home of a considerable amount of organisms that are continuously adapting to their varying surroundings. The seas and oceans entail a great variety of algae with potential skin care benefits and also of microorganisms able to produce specific metabolites that in turn help benefit the skin in different ways.

Marine biodiversity is far more important than terrestrial biodiversity. Life originated from oceans, and gradually adapted to brackish and fresh waters via rivers and streams, to finally conquest the ground environment.

The Earth sits in what is known as the ‘Goldilocks Zone’ of the solar system. This means that our planet is at the right distance from its star to allow liquid water in most places, which is considered a key ingredient to create and support life.