A recent report carried out by Mintel, found that women in the US use far more anti-aging facial skin care products than their European counterparts in France, Germany and the UK, and this has led to a substantial growth in the past five years of the $2.3 billion US anti-aging skin care market.
It also highlighted that the Western markets (US, UK and France) also account for the most anti-aging skin care product launches between 2009 and 2011 in comparison to Japan and China.
In light of this, cosmetic companies have been going above and beyond to come up with unique ingredients to compete in the vast market of anti-aging products.
Developments
In January, BASF Beauty Care Solutions revealed it had funded a study that found an extract of the common yarrow plant in the Northern hemisphere to increase epidermal thickness and improve the appearance of wrinkles and pores.
Researchers evaluated the effect of A. millefolium extract on the expression pattern of various epidermal differentiation markers ex vivo in normal human skin biopsies using quantitative image analysis.
“Achillea millefolium extract thus represents a relevant cosmetic ingredient aimed at rejuvenating the appearance and feeling of skin surface,” a researcher noted.
Trends
Skin care manufacturer, CoValence Labratories launched ‘DewKist serum’ an anti-aging product featuring a blend of active ingredients sodium hyaluronate, fiflow and bamboo extract back in February.
A company spokesperson revealed that Fiflow also known as perfluorocarbons was chosen for the serum as it provides botox-like treatment to fine lines and wrinkles through topical application, refreshing cellular metabolism and providing dermal filling as well as a muscular relaxation effect.
The combination of ingredients is said to be beneficial in firming the skin and making deeper wrinkles less visible.
Later that month, cosmetics giant Shiseido announced it was going to target the Asian market with an anti-aging hair care range after survey results suggested it is of major concern to women in the region.
It conducted research regarding hair and scalp concerns targeting women in the four cities of Tokyo, Shanghai, Chengdu and Bangkoka.
Elsewhere Procter & Gamble Beauty & Grooming revealed it had found that moisturizing formulas containing niacinamide and glycerin provide significantly less skin dryness and more skin hydration, and could be of benefit to many skin care products.
The study compared the skin benefits of several body moisturisers, and found that samples containing a niacinamide/glycerin formula, in some of its Olay products had significant advantages versus a number of competitive moisturizers.