Global specialty chemical ingredients company Croda launches "Croda's 3 steps to radiant hands", a new campaign around the theme of hand hygiene and skin care.

Covid-19 means frequent hand washing and disinfection - hands that need to be cared for.

"Croda's 3 steps to radiant hands" is the theme of the latest Beauty Undefined campaign, a series of projects showcasing Croda's formulation expertise. The series brings together new ingredients from Croda, natural botanical extracts from Crodarom and bioactives from Sederma's range of active ingredients.

"We're presenting not just one formulation, but three innovative formulations that represent each of the "steps" needed to achieve radiant hands. This also includes a formulation kit and a must-see video!"says Croda.

To complete the Beauty Undefined series, a Power Hour webinar on adapting the hand care market in 2020 has been produced. The webinar also showcases unique hand care format concepts and details Croda's three easy steps for cleansing and caring for hand skin.

According to Greentech and Phytograde, Cannabidiol Isolate (CBD) is a high quality premium product. The ingredient is obtained by supercritical CO2 extraction and contains a minimum of 98 % of Cannabidiol, a very high concentration allowing for a white crystalline powder, odorless and neutral in taste, with optimal activities and benefits for the skin.

Greentech and Phytograde recall that recent scientific studies suggest that CBD could protect the skin through the activation of antioxidant defenses, limit skin aging or balance oily skin with acne tendency. Some studies have also shown a strong potential as a soothing ingredient for sensitive and stressed skin, but also as a natural solution for dermocosmetic applications (psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis).

"CBD is a biomimetic active ingredient due to its similarity to endogenous cannabinoids and its potential interaction with the skin's endocannabinoid system, promoting skin homeostasis. Easy to formulate, CBD is a promising ingredient for the cosmetic industry."The two entities indicate that they are in agreement.

Beyond CBD, there is a growing interest in phytocannabinoids. The Greentech Group and Phytograde have decided to combine their expertise to address this growing market.

Greentech and Phytograde partners

CBD Beauty is a real trend. In order to meet the growing market demand, the two companies have initiated a partnership, combining their expertise to reveal the potential of Cannabidiol and other phytocannabinoids as natural, biomimetic and high value-added active ingredients for cosmetic, dermocosmetic, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.

Phytograde masters the sourcing of sustainably grown industrial hemp as well as high quality extraction processes for the production of phytocannabinoid rich raw materials. Greentech brings its expertise in research, marketing and business development to promote these high quality ingredients worldwide.

The R&D teams will combine their expertise through a research program on phytocannabinoids. The objective of this project is to increase the knowledge on these molecules and to unlock their potential as natural, biomimetic and high value-added active ingredients for cosmetic, dermocosmetic, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.

According to Market Reports World, the global market for cosmetics containing Cannabidiol is expected to grow significantly between 2020 and 2024, at an annual growth rate of over 30 %, to reach $3.1 billion.

Silab Softcare's advanced research teams have developed a 3D model of reconstructed epidermis that mimics in vitro acneic skin. The characterization of this model has just been published by the scientific journal Experimental Dermatology*.

Acne is an inflammatory skin disease involving four essential components: hyperseborrhea combined with a change in sebum composition, colonization by Cutibacterium (C.) acnes and in particular the virulent phylotype IA1, hyperkeratinization and secreted inflammation.

Most 3D models mimicking acneic skin independently use hyperseborrhea or invasion by C. acnes to induce the different characteristics of acneic skin. However, as these two factors are dependent on each other in the early stages of the pathology, the aim of this study was to develop a 3D model combining sebum alteration and invasion by C. acnes.

Thus, a reconstructed epidermis was treated with peroxidized squalene and the IA1 phylotype of C. acnesThe combination of these two factors allowed the induction of acne-related keratinocyte responses such as hyperkeratinization and inflammation. The combination of these two factors allowed the induction of keratinocyte responses related to acne such as hyperkeratinization and inflammation, and thus obtaining a model with all the characteristics of acneic skin.

"The extensive characterization of this new model in vitro has proven that it is fully adapted to mimic acne-prone skin and serve as a screening tool for the development of anti-acne treatments.says Marine Laclaverie, Innovation Project Manager in vitroSilab.

Acnesium, the daily care for acne-prone skin

The 3D model obtained during this study has allowed to demonstrate the pharmacological activities of Acnesium, a natural active ingredient developed by Silab Softcare to treat the clinical signs of mild to moderate acne in adults.

Produced from immature pomegranate bark, Acnesium restores homeostasis to acne-prone skin by targeting the four major components of this pathophysiology: it normalizes sebaceous gland activity, controls colonization by the IA1 phylotype of C. acnesIt has a keratolytic action and reduces inflammation. Combining speed of action and effectiveness, this high-tolerance treatment improves the general appearance of the skin and thus the quality of life of patients.

_{* Laclaverie et al, Development and characterization of a 3D in vitro model mimicking acneic skin, Experimental Dermatology (https://doi.org/10.1111/exd.14268) Experimental Dermatology; Impact factor 3.368; Ranking 15/146 in Dermatology}

The Artejia range with Lygalamine, a new active ingredient that fights against skin aging created by Pharm'Aging, has been enthusiastically welcomed by the majority of people. The brand is accumulating positive reviews online.

At the head of this dynamic startup: Dr. Nicolas El Robrini, who works for a natural cosmetic "highly scientific." "Why should we choose between healthy and effective cosmetics? On the market, I have not found any anti-aging products that meet these criteria. That's why I founded the Artejia brand, which synthesizes the excellence of French biomedical research and combines the best of science and nature.explains the founder and manager of this new innovative brand.

This young scientist with a doctorate in human genetics has developed a range of anti-aging skin care products that guarantee up to 100 % of naturalness. Its flagship active ingredient, Lygalamine, is a powerful antioxidant that prevents the toxic modification of proteins responsible for premature tissue aging.

Artejia has made a strong entry into this highly competitive sector: in two years, Pharm'Aging has recruited three people and Artejia's sales have doubled. Artejia has its own e-commerce site, is listed on Amazon France and Europe, has digital partnerships with Pharmedistore, Fabulous French Fabrique, Provence chérie, Sevellia, and has a physical presence in several concept stores. It is already making its first international sales in Italy, Germany, Belgium and the United Kingdom.

This young French company also wants to be responsible and transparent. Its values and commitments: to protect the skin with natural ingredients but also to protect the planet, with 100 % recyclable bottles, without superfluous packaging. To highlight the French know-how by producing its entire range exclusively in France, a few kilometers from Marseille. The company intends to play on transparency, notably with a web-series it has just launched, to educate consumers on the difference between natural and organic cosmetics, and to decipher the ingredients of its products at a glance. An approach that has seduced female influencers who, according to the company, have even gone so far as to have their spouses adopt the range.

After the launch in 2020 of a solid face cleanser with French organic Mirabelle plum oil, for a complete face routine, Artejia plans to launch anti-aging body and hand care products in 2021. For this new year, Nicolas El Robrini also aims to enter pharmacies, beauty salons and to accelerate its development in Europe.

Global specialty chemicals company Croda launches a new ingredient in the Infraveil range, Infraveil IT-600, a Cosmos-approved physical infrared-A (IRA) filter offering protection against IR aging. 

Infrared radiation has now been shown to contribute to photoaging, a phenomenon in which the skin loses its elasticity and firmness, leading to the appearance of wrinkles and skin aging. With their growing awareness of the effects of the sun's rays on their skin, and recent press reports on the impact of IRA, consumers are looking for broader sun protection that goes beyond UV. Croda's Infraveil range meets this demand. Based on a patented titanium dioxide dispersion technology, it offers IRA protection validated by an external laboratory. Despite their large particle size, Infraveil dispersions guarantee a very limited white effect on the skin. It is therefore ideal for skin care, sun care and make-up applications. Used in conjunction with Croda's Solaveil range of inorganic filters, Infraveil can offer complete protection against sunlight. Infraveil IT-600 also has the advantage of being Cosmos approved, making it particularly attractive to natural brands looking for highly functional, innovative ingredients that respond to new emerging trends. 

Croda International Plc, using intelligent science to create, manufacture and supply life-enhancing specialty chemicals, has been voted Britain's most admired chemical company for the fourth year running, and has also been named Britain's fifth most admired company.

The results of these prestigious awards were published on January 29, 2021 in a special edition of Management Today, and are the result of a peer review of corporate reputations.

The awards are based on interviews with board directors, analysts and City commentators, and are the largest of their kind in the UK. They recognize the factors critical to business success across 12 categories, including sustainability, quality of management, quality of products and services, and leadership. Croda's success in these rankings follows recognition by its peers for its environmental responsibility, with the company ranked fourth in this category, ahead of 246 other companies included in the study.

Steve Foots, Croda's Managing Director, commented: "This award, and the recognition of our peers, is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all our employees. It is particularly pleasing to see that our leading position in sustainability has earned us the respect of our peers."

"I am extremely proud of all we have achieved in such a challenging year. I would like to thank all Croda employees for their hard work and innovative ways of supporting each other and our customers throughout the pandemic."