Lonza creates new anti-aging ingredient
has announced the launch of a soluble polymer ingredient that is to
be used in cosmetic skin care.
LaraCare is an ingredient derived from Larch trees that are harvested in North America. The ingredient is said to have qualities that are deemed as superior in the cosmetics world, such as anti-aging properties and the ability to tighten the skin.
A statement released by the company said "LaraCare is a highly functional polysaccharide, extracted and purified through a patented and proprietary process to deliver a functionally optimized product to meet the growing demand for natural ingredients in the cosmetic industry'.
The growing demand for natural cosmetics is prompting a surge of manufacturers to target the trend by creating ingredients that match the criteria stipulated by consumer research. Anti-aging, skin tightening and creating an appearance of visibly younger skin are all among the most desired results in the skin care industry.
Currently the global anti-aging market is estimated to be worth approximately $50 billion dollars, a figure that is expected to hit $56 billion by 2007 - growth that many analysts believe will continue at break-neck speed in coming years.
The company states that LaraCare fills these criteria, as it is a natural, mild and water-soluble polymer with the potential to provide moisture stability in skin care products. It also enhances emulsion stability and reduces transepidermal water loss.
The ingredient is being marketed for water-based systems due to the synthetic like consistency and narrowly peaked molecule weight distribution of the polymer. The company has stated that the product is ideal for personal care products due to the specific attributes it boasts.
It has been an exciting year for Lonza following the expected acquisition of Cambrex's Bioproducts and its Biopharma segments for $460m (€367m) in cash, in a deal expected to close in a matter of months.
Lonza is already a big player in the biopharma arena, however, the purchase of the Bioproducts business is the company's first foray into this field.
