Redefining the face and lifting facial contours may be possible with carnosine, Alteromonas ferment extract, hyaluronic acid and a tripeptide according to two studies.
Carnosine, Alteromonas ferment, hyaluronic acids and peptides are not new to skincare, but a novel combination studied by researchers in ISDIN and Dermik Clinic, Spain, suggests that this particular combination can do wonders for anti-aging skincare.
Skin aging is accelerated by UV damage and environmental stressors, and also through glycation.
What is glycation?
Glycation involves sugars in the blood. When you eat food, the body breaks down carbohydrates into sugars like glucose and fructose, which fuels the body’s processes.
As we age (and as we consume too many sugary foods), the sugars react with proteins and fats in an abnormal way, making harmful molecules called Advanced Glycation Endproducts (AGEs). This process is called glycation.
AGEs affect collagen and elastin, forming ‘crosslinks’ and changing the structures of proteins in the skin.
Carnosine in skincare
Carnosine (L-Carnosine) is an amino acid that occurs naturally in the body. When added to skincare, carnosine can increase the ability of collagen-synthesising cells.
Carnosine has antioxidant properties and helps prevent glycation damage, ridding the system of abnormal substances to allow the skin to function optimally.
About Alteromonas ferment extract
Alteromonas ferment is an extract from the bacteria, Alteromonas macleodii, which grows in deep sea waters. The extract has properties that activate the hydration process in the skin, heightening the skin’s ability to protect itself.
Alteromonas has anti-inflammatory properties which may alleviate symptoms of rosacea and soothe general skin sensitivity.
Combined with carnosine, Alteromonas ferment extract applied topically to the skin may reduce formation of AGEs and treat glycation-related skin aging.
Lifting facial contours
The 2017 clinical study in reported in the Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology journal found that a facial cream containing carnosine, Alteromonas ferment extract, crosspolymer hyaluronic acid and a tripeptide (Syn-Hycan or tetradecyl aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric urea trifluoroacetate) significantly decreased sagging jawlines after 56 days.
Skin was also considerably more hydrated, firmer and more elastic, and skin texture and spots improved significantly.
Garre, A., Martinez-Masana, G., Piquero-Casals, J., & Granger, C. (2017). Redefining face contour with a novel anti-aging cosmetic product: an open-label, prospective clinical study. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 10, 473–482. http://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S148597
Narda, M., Granger, C. (2018). Antiglycation effect of unique topical face cream containing carnosine and alteromonas ferment extract in epidermis and dermis of human skin explants. Journal of Americam Academy of Dermatology, 79 (3) AB44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2018.05.216
Image courtesy of Scott Eaton.