Colgate-Palmolive brand taps NASA space research to back anti-aging serum launch

29 Jun 2023 --- In line with its new anti-aging serum launch, PCA Skin had its parent company CP Skin Health Group (Colgate-Palmolive) link up with NASA onboard the International Space Station (ISS) to investigate the effect of microgravity on skin’s physiology.

The brand’s new product is called Pro-Max Age Renewal. The clinically backed anti-aging serum is designed to lift and firm the appearance of skin by 60% and smoothen visible lines and coarse wrinkles by 40%. It also delivers “visibly fuller skin” with 58% improvement in plumping the look of the skin. These results are noticeable “in just one week.”

“The experiment studied the difference in skin health and aging between Earth and the weightless environment of space called microgravity,” comments Dr. Cady Coleman, retired NASA astronaut and Colgate innovation advisor.

“Through these studies on the ISS, researchers found that the lack of gravity had a negative impact on the skin’s overall health and also stimulated the rate of skin aging.”

Patent-pending micro growth factor
Powered by CP Skin’s patent-pending Micro Growth Factor (MGF) technology, this breakthrough formulation is designed to help enhance collagen production and diminish advanced signs of aging. 

Pro-Age Max Renewal serum (Image credit: PCA Skin).While conventional growth factors sit on the surface of the skin, the company explains that its MGF technology in Pro-Max Age Renewal penetrates the skin ten times deeper to provide advanced results in reducing the appearance of sagging, loss of volume, lack of firmness and wrinkles.

During the experiment, space travel resulted in higher levels of the MMP1 protein in the skin tissue model, which causes collagen to decrease. 

Pro-Max Age Renewal is clinically proven to stimulate collagen and diminish advanced signs of aging, giving it the potential to combat the effects of increased MMP1 levels associated with aging and space travel.

“Pro-Max Age Renewal is the most scientifically advanced skin care product I have had the privilege to work on over the course of my decades long career,” remarks Dr. Lia Arvanitidou, VP of global research and development at Colgate-Palmolive. 

Based on the findings from the NASA experiment, Pro-Max Age Renewal was found to help mitigate gravitational stressors and bring the skin cells back to a healthy stage. 

“In other words, our revolutionary anti-aging serum surpasses similar leading products in clinical studies, treating daily skin care concerns such as deep expression lines and wrinkles, as well as loss of elasticity and volume, while being suitable for all skin types,” says Arvanitidou.

“We tested all the biomarkers known to be impacted today, and hope to identify new biomarkers through this research to inform the design of future skin care products.”

Microalgae and floral extracts
PCA Skin’s MGF technology consists of four signal tripeptides to help enhance the skin’s collagen production. This advanced peptide technology works in multiple ways to support keratinocyte production, aid in fibroblast proliferation and increase collagen production. 

In addition to MGF, key ingredients include organic-certified kangaroo paw flower extract, an organic material that delivers a rapid reduction in the appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin.

The formula also features skin-firming biopolymers, a biopolymer matrix embedded with micro-algae that provides “instant” skin firming.

It is increasingly common for beauty innovators to look to the stars when developing new functional products for earthbound applications.

Pro-Max Age Renewal, developed over ten years, has the unique ability to quickly diminish signs of aging, maximize results and fill a void in an anti-aging skin care regimen: skin elasticity,” says Joanna Zucker, CEO of CP Skin Health.

“The science behind Pro-Max Age Renewal and advancements from the International Space Station experiment are allowing us to reimagine skin health for all people.”

Off-planet beauty solutions
It is increasingly common for beauty innovators to look to the stars when developing new functional products for earthbound commercial applications. 

Personal Care Insights previously reported on the intersection in research between Earth and space-based personal care and skin health ingredients, finding that as space travel increases and weather conditions on Earth shift and change – there will be sustained industry interest in developing formulas for both these environments.

Among developments in this dynamic field, NASA and SpaceX launched a crew into space with Kao’s waterless 3D shampoo and laundry sheets, which offer an alternative solution to the exhaustive care regimes astronauts must follow to maintain hygiene.

Last December, Colgate-Palmolive Company and NASA signed a contract to investigate ways to improve skin, oral and personal care for astronauts and people on Earth.

In February last year, Colgate-Palmolive’s PCA Skin brand set up an orbiting space laboratory – the first private sector skin health experiment on the ISS – to investigate if exposure to microgravity will accelerate skin repair.

By Benjamin Ferrer