Carotolino – a botanical active for blue light protection

Natural and artificial blue light damages skin and induces premature ageing. Carotenoids are nature’s answer to blue light protection, as they shield skin and protect it against blue-light induced oxidative stress.

Sunlight is essential for our health, but excessive exposure can cause skin damage. In the past decades, scientists focused on UV light and developed products to protect the skin against its harmful effects. However, natural sunlight also contains blue light, which again has beneficial as well as detrimental effects. Blue light influences our circadian rhythm and, on a positive note, contributes to a healthy sleep pattern. Yet it penetrates deep into the skin and triggers oxidative stress, resulting in premature aging. As a result, consumer demand for blue light protection is increasing, as it is highly related to growing digital dependence.

DIFFERENT LIGHT SOURCES AFFECT SKIN

All types of light can damage skin, each by a different mechanism. If we look at UV radiation, it is directly absorbed by DNA, which causes DNA lesions. Such lesions may be mutagenic, resulting in photo ageing or leading to other health concerns like skin cancer.

Humans produce melanin to protect the skin against UV exposure. It is a persistent misconception that visible light is safe for skin – visible light, especially blue light, causes indirect damage.

Visible light is absorbed by melanin, which generates reactive oxygen species (ROS)upon excitation. In fact, after sun exposure, about 50% of ROS produced in human skin originate from visible and infrared light. ROSdamage DNA, disturb the epidermal barrier, induce inflammation and accentuate the signs of premature skin ageing, including hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, loss of elasticity or dryness.

SHIELD AND PROTECT WITH CAROTENOIDS

Lipoid Kosmetik, represented in SouthAfrica by AECI Specialty Chemicals, offers a solution that addresses the concerns of artificial blue light. Lipoid Kosmetik is a leading manufacturer of high-quality actives and botanicals and a supplier of phospholipid products for the cosmetics and personal care industry. As a pioneer in these fields,the company has gained an outstanding reputation in the global cosmetics industry over the last 45 years. This long-standing expertise, in combination with the exceptional quality of the portfolio of ingredients, enablesits customers to develop innovative, functional and natural cosmetics and beauty products meeting the highest standards.

Nature’s answer to blue light is carotenoids as they shield plants and protect them from blue-light induced oxidative stress. LipoidKosmetik’s active ingredient Carotolino is designed to supply carotenoids to the skin, where they can naturally act as a defensive shield against blue light and reduce oxidative stress. Its efficacy in blue light protection is based on the unique combination of carrot root extract, carrot seed oil and β-carotene, all united in a basis of canola oil to provide perfectly stabilised carotenoids.

TANGIBLE SKIN COLOUR IMPROVEMENT

Besides the photo-protective activity, topically applied carotenoids can improve the colour of skin, independent of ethnicity. An in vivo study demonstrates that Carotolino creates a subtle colour optimisation, shifting pale and dull skin tones to a more lively and healthy appearance. A consumer study further confirms that Carotolino adds value to acosmetic formulation and produces tangible skin colour improvement – improvement that is felt, experienced and enjoyed by consumers. In essence,

Carotolino incorporates the best of carrots including stabilised carotenoids. It reduces blue light-induced skin damage while adding a vivid look at the same time. These proven benefits make this botanical active a trendy ingredient that synergistically targets the protection and liveliness of skin while supporting the development of modern skincare concepts. •

FAST FACTS ON CAROTOLINO

This active ingredient is a stabilised, lipophilic extract of carrots, enriched in carotenoids. When applied topically, carotenoids readily integrate into human skin membranes, where they protect naturally against blue light.

Besides topical application, Carotolinocontributes to an attractive skin colour. Carotenoids balance unhealthy, pale and greenish skin tones by imparting a subtle touch of vivid and attractive colour. The accumulation of carotenoids in skin after application of Carotolino provides:

• direct blue light protection by absorbing and shielding blue light

• indirect blue light protection by neutralising blue light-induced oxidative stress

• improved skin colour by providing a healthy and vivid skin tone, be it Caucasian, African or Asian skin.

AECI Specialty Chemicals – Charmaine.DuPreez@aeciworld.com Lipoid Kosmetik – www.lipoid-kosmetik.com