Fenchem strengthens its position in personal care
Feb 24, 2009

China-based ingredients supplier Fenchem says it has launched a new skin whitening technology to tap into the growing global market for this type of product.

Ellagic acid is a naturally occurring polyphenol derived from the gallnut, which has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years.

The company uses an excretion from the gallnut produced as a by-product from the larvae of gall insects such as the gall wasp. Historically this extract has been produced for Chinese medicines by cultivating it on oak trees.

Gallnuts from oak contain very high levels of tannins, of which the lighter coloured tannins can be used as both a skin lightening and an anti-ageing ingredient in skin care products.

Fenchem says its in vitro tests indicate that the ingredient’s efficacy is probably derived from its ability to inhibit the melanocytes and melanin synthesis.

Likewise, ellagic acid is thought to suppress melanogenesis without damaging cells, while also helping to prevent the formation of further sun spots and freckles, caused by exposure to UV rays thanks to its anti-oxidative properties.

(copy from http://www.cosmeticsdesign.com/Formulation-Science/Fenchem-strengthens-its-position-in-personal-care)

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