Rediscovering resveratrol: Evolva spotlights the “powerful antioxidant” for ingestible beauty

26 Aug 2021 --- Resveratrol is being “rediscovered” as a beauty-from-within ingredient as the category steadily grows, according to Marcia da Silva Pinto, senior technical manager of Health Ingredients at Evolva. She speaks to PersonalCareInsights about the use of biotechnology which delivers a “green alternative” for the production of ingestible beauty ingredients, such as resveratrol.

“Initially, resveratrol was linked to the beneficial effects for cardiovascular health. Later, researchers reported resveratrol as one of the most potent antioxidant compounds,” da Silva Pinto explains.

“After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers became very aware of the need to take care of their health in a more holistic way. The sentence ‘we are what we eat’ has now also become true to how we look.”

Tackling signs of aging
Research identified resveratrol as one of the “most potent antioxidant molecules,” according to the company, and can help promote healthy aging.

“The formation of free radicals is induced by UV radiation. As the skin is the most exposed tissue to UV radiation, the effects are immediately visible, resulting in age spots and wrinkles,” comments da Silva Pinto. Resveratrol is an ingredient that is well known for its antioxidant properties and health benefits.

“As the excessive generation of free radicals leads to oxidative stress and consequently damage to several tissues, resveratrol started being incorporated into several dietary supplements and cosmetic products.”

Powered by biotechnology
Personal care consumers are increasingly expecting components in cosmetic products to deliver a health benefit backed by scientific evidence, according to da Silva Pinto.

Ingredients produced using sustainable methods are sought after because they are “free from impurities.”

“Biotechnology provides a green alternative to both plant sources and synthetic ones. Veri-te resveratrol is produced by a patented fermentation green process which yields a final high-quality ingredient, free from environmental contaminants, alongside a reliable supply chain,” says da Silva Pinto.

Industry players have shown interest in the use of biotechnology in developing their products. In this space, Mibelle Biochemistry launched MossCellTec Aloe, which is derived from biotechnologically produced moss and improves skin moisture while reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

A few weeks ago, Fred Zülli, founder and business development director of Mibelle Group Biochemistry, spoke to PersonalCareInsights about the company’s latest developments in biotechnology and the clean beauty space.

Surge in botanicals
There has been a surge in botanical ingredients such as resveratrol, which are incorporated into formulations to enhance beauty and promote skin health from within.

“Resveratrol is an ingredient that is well known for its antioxidant properties and health benefits.”

“Although there are so many ingredients introduced into the market each year, consumers are still looking for the trustworthy ingredients which bring along the science-based evidence to support the product’s claims,” adds da Silva Pinto.

Resveratrol is one of the most investigated compounds with more than 220 published clinical studies.Biotechnology delivers a “green alternative” for the production of personal care items.

NPD applications
Evolva has developed various solutions in their product portfolio to support NPD in many applications, from dietary supplements and functional beverages to cosmetics, based on customer expectations and beauty trends, the company says.

“We partner with technology leaders to provide innovative solutions such as cold water dispersible Veri-Sperse, which applies LipiSperse technology, a patented technology developed by Pharmako Biotechnologies Australia.

“We have also recently launched the first solubilized resveratrol, named Veri-te Aqua, which combines Veri-te with NovaSol, a technology developed by AquaNova in Germany. Both solutions are suitable for use in cosmetics,” says Clare Panchoo, vice president of Health Ingredients at Evolva.

L-arabinose benefits
Evolva recently launched L-arabinose. It is used in the cosmetic industry as a humectant providing moisturization to the skin and in F&B as a natural sugar blocker.

This sugar blocking feature of L-arabinose has been demonstrated in few clinical studies. It brings the advantage to developers of keeping sugar in their products, so no total replacement is needed as for other sugar alternatives, comments da Silva Pinto.

By Nicole Kerr