The Xangold ingredients made their debut at the IFT Annual Meeting and Food Expo in New Orleans last week. Food industry representatives were introduced to the products at the show as ideal ingredients for the promising 'beauty from within' market. "Consumers want skincare products that deliver beauty benefits through nutrition fueling one of the hottest trends in the market," said Cognis Nutrition & Health marketing manager Rob Bailey. The power of lutein The food ingredients carry beauty benefits thanks to the presence of lutein esters. "Lutein is a powerful beauty booster and Cognis is working diligently with our customers so this message resonates with consumers," added Bailey. Cognis said lutein improves skin hydration and elasticity, boosts skin moisture and enhances the skin's ability to protect itself from the sun. A paper published last year in the Journal of Skin Pharmacology and Physiology reiterated these claims, saying that lutein increases photoprotective activity, hydration, elasticity and lipid levels of the skin. The randomized study, conducted by the University of Naples, Italy, also said that FloraGlo Lutein, manufactured by Kemin Health, works best when topical and oral applications are combined. The conclusion suggests that companies may be advised to offer edible beauty products containing the ingredient alongside traditional topical alternatives. Other benefits of new ingredients Cognis said its lutein-based products will particularly appeal to formulators looking for natural beauty food ingredients that offer excellent bioavailability and stability. They are available in a water-dispersible powder and are suitable for blending in food and beverage formulations and in two-piece capsules.
