The company will be launching the active at the upcoming in-cosmetics show in Paris and claims it inhibits both the pigments involved in the formation of age spots.
“Age spots appear due to the formation of the sun-induced skin pigment melanin and the ageing pigment Lipofuscin,” product manager for cosmetic actives, Barbara Obermayer, told CosmeticsDesign-Europe.com.
Inhibits both melanin and lipofuscin
Illumiscin can inhibit both of these pigments and is therefore a comprehensive way to treat age spots, Obermayer said.
The ingredient is made up of vitamin C, oleuropein – a polyphenol present in olive leaves, and Zinc PCA – the zinc salt of pyrrolidonic carboxylic acid.
Oleuropein prevents the formation of liposfuscin and the vitamin C inhibits melanogensis.
The Zinc PCA is included in the ingredient as PCA is a natural moisturising factor present in the skin and can help uptake of vitamin C by the skin cells, thereby improving the inhibitory effect, Obermayer explained.
Rahn claims that in vivo tests illustrate the ingredient’s ability to decrease the size of the age spots (by 21.2 per cent after 3 months) and evens out the edges (by 13.5 after 3 months).
In addition, the company says the ingredients is well tolerated by the skin and can be formulated into a range of cosmetic products designed for mature skin including hand creams and décolleté products.