Beauty sleep and the microbiome

Nightessence biofunctional is a natural extract from premium true lavender flowers, developed by Ashland using the patented and proprietary plant small RNA technology.

This is the first of its kind biofunctional tailored to optimise skin’s night-time needs, allowing consumers to awaken with skin re-set for the day ahead. It helps restore skin overnight, for a rested, renewed and illuminated look in the morning.

Consumers understand the link between sleep and lifestyle factors with skin appearance, mental and physical health.

“A recent Mintel study reports that 80% of women in France, Germany, Italy and Spain all agree that getting enough sleep is an important part of looking after their skin,” says Justine Cotton, global marketing manager and new business development, Ashland.

Nightessence biofunctional is ecoconsciously designed from field to skin. The company’s Lavandula angustifolia premium lavender is grown sustainably, on the mountain slopes in Provence, France, 140km from the Ashland biofunctional facility.

The cultivation and harvesting techniques used by Ashland are said to respect nature. It is extracted using green chemistry to offer a novel type of lavender essence to the cosmetics market.

Clean sleep

The beauty sleep or clean sleep concept is extremely trendy. Clean sleep focuses on habits and behaviours that can improve the quality of sleep and help one feel better rested.

“Based on scientific research, Ashland has defined the biology of the skin at night as ‘noctology’, which describes the needs of skin through essential nocturnal processes and molecules for night repair of daily damage,” explains Joël Mantelin, vice president: marketing and business development, Ashland. “Our Nightessence biofunctional enhances skin’s naturally occurring nocturnal process, dysregulated by hectic lifestyles, visible light and sun, and helps skin boost essential night-time molecules such as timezyme and melatonin.”

The Nightessence biofunctional active ingredient was clinically tested on a group of 36 Asian volunteers, who worked night shift or stayed up very late. After using the product for a month, the volunteers showed a more rested skin with fewer dark circles.

Unique multifunctional concept

Biome Oléoactif from Hallstar Beauty is an exclusive active ingredient, which regulates skin microbiota and reinforces skin barrier function, thanks to its unique composition of innovative active molecules.

It is increasingly clear that the cutaneous microbiota makes important contributions to normal skin immune development and function. Extrinsic and intrinsic factors may influence skin disruptions by inducing dysbiosis linked to the decrease of the microbial diversity notably characterised by a loss of protective bacteria, such as Staphylococcus epidermidis and an overgrowth of pathogenic or opportunistic microorganisms, like Staphylococcus aureus.

To prevent imbalanced skin conditions, experts recommend using cosmetics that preserve the skin’s microbiota ecosystem.

A randomised single blind study was performed to evaluate the impact of Biome

Oléoactif on cutaneous microbiota and skin after repeated applications for 15 days. The results showed Biome Oléoactif preserves the bacterial diversity (Shannon index) and the microbiota global composition (Phyla level) of healthy skin.