Shiseido study discovers magnesium ions bolster hyaluronic acid production and reduce UV damage

18 May 2022 --- Cosmetics giant Shiseido is zooming in on epidermal cells, finding that magnesium ion (Mg2+) promotes the production of hyaluronic acid, which maintains skin moisture. Simultaneously, it was uncovered that Mg2+ induces “spermidine synthesis,” an antioxidant activity that reduces damage caused by UV rays and oxidative stress.

“We will widely apply these results to our skincare product development. We will also continue our research on minerals, widely present in nature and play an important role in maintaining human health,” affirms Shiseido. 

“We will apply these findings to beauty innovations that help people realize healthy skin.”

The discovery of Mg2+ effects on the epidermal cells was made by collaborating with Gifu Pharmaceutical University. 

Magnesium in the pipeline
The research indicates possible skincare solutions with magnesium at the center of attention.The antioxidant properties were discovered when researchers searched for substances affected by Mg2+ in the epidermal cells.

Magnesium is a naturally abundant mineral in the body and in foods essential for maintaining human health. “[Mg2+] is an auxiliary factor for more than 300 enzyme systems that control various biochemical reactions in the body,” explains Shiseido.

In the company’s previous research, it had found that magnesium helped restore the skin barrier. 

The discovery extends the previous study, clarifying magnesium’s moisturizing and protective mechanisms and effects.  

Elevated hyaluronan synthase expression
With more than 20 years of research into the positive effects of minerals on restoring the skin barrier, Shiseido “cultured epidermal cells in a medium supplemented with magnesium chloride (MgCl2) and found that the expression of hyaluronan synthase elevated.” 

The expression of hyaluronan synthase induces HA production. 

“These results suggest that hyaluronic acid production is promoted as the epidermal cells absorb magnesium ions to the intracellular environment via magnesium transporters,” says the company after finding that supplementing MgCl2 with non-functional magnesium transporters resulted in no HA production. 

“A magnesium transporter is present in the cell membrane and responsible for absorbing magnesium ions to the intracellular environment from the extracellular environment.” 

Magnesium transporters are reportedly involved in some skin diseases, shares the company.

Antioxidant activity and UV raysShiseido cultured epidermal cells in a medium supplemented with MgCl2 and found that the expression of hyaluronan synthase was elevated.
The supplementation of MgCl2 elevated the expression of spermidine synthase, “a type of compound called polyamine necessary for the body, involved in many cells’ growth, proliferation, and function.”

Spermidine synthase is also known to have antioxidant properties.

The antioxidant properties were discovered when researchers searched for substances affected by Mg2+ in the epidermal cells. Microarray was used to analyze changes in the expression of genes in a sample.

“We then conducted a test in which we gave epidermal cells stimulation by UV irradiation and oxidative damage by hydrogen peroxide, and it was confirmed that in the cells cultured with MgCl2, the cell viability rate after UV irradiation and hydrogen peroxide stimulation increased versus the control group without MgCl2,” explains the company.  

Earlier this week, Shiseido created Shape-Shifting HA Technology to control the volume of HA for deeper penetration into the stratum corneum after application. It found that adding magnesium ions “dramatically increases” HA penetration by shrinking it, and the addition of sodium metaphosphate HA is restored to its original properties. 

“We will continue our research in a bid to provide products and services that bring out the natural beauty from both inside and outside the skin by clarifying the skincare effects of magnesium, a mineral that is abundantly present in foods and other areas in our daily lives,” comments the company. 

Edited by Venya Patel 

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