The company claims that Epi-on, restores weakened and damaged skin by protecting and accelerating tissue repair through epigenetic regulation.
Skin recovery and more
Studies showed that Corum’s latest patented active can accelerate tissue regeneration by inhibiting HDAC (histone decetylase) activity.
“By doing so we can make sure chromatin is not condensed. At the same time, it can help regulate a particular epigenetic biomarker called H4K12AC. Studies also showed that it definitely has anti-inflammatory properties and anti-bacterial properties to reinforce the recovery process,” explained Snow Hsieh, international sales manager, Corum.
The results of an ex-vivo study showed that Epi-On can speed up the wound healing process in as short as three days.
“The study demonstrated that the use of 2% Epi-On accelerated healing significantly and at 4%, the healing was observed to be pretty much complete,” said Hsieh.
Hsieh highlight that Epi-On was found to improve the skin barrier as well. The study proved that the ingredient could thicken the stratum corneum in 10 days.
In addition to these benefits, Epi-On was also observed to have a positive whitening effect.
Hsieh elaborated: “When we have inflammation, we have pigmentation as well. It's why our scars are a little darker than our skin, because of the inflammation. We found this ingredient can help during the skin repair process so that your scar won't be that obvious.”
New way to talk about ageing
Hsieh believes that the benefits of Epi-On are a new way to communicate with consumers about anti-ageing.
“People are looking for another way to approach the anti-ageing topic and the skin barrier, for example, is something that is trending at the moment. Consumers are now looking to improve their skin barrier. Consumers now know about the skin barrier because of the prevalence of sensitive skin, not just in Asia but all over the world.”
Hsieh continued: “The market is very saturated with anti-ageing products. If you launch an ingredient that says ‘anti-ageing’, it won’t be enough. Today, we have to be very specific in our mechanism and consumers are very knowledgeable today, very insightful, they go online and research about what they are using. They want to understand the ingredients inside the products.”
In terms of application, Corum recommends applying Epi-On in night recovery creams, post-acne treatment, aftershaves and sun-care products.
The company also sees potential for the ingredient in post-procedure treatments.
“This is another important category,” said Hsieh. “A lot of people are going for treatments like laser or peeling. Aesthetic procedures are rising in Asia because a lot of women are willing to go to the extreme to stay looking young. This ingredient is very suitable for products that help alleviate inflammation.”
Corum intends to target the European, South East Asian and US markets. Unfortunately, this ingredient is not allowed in Korea as it is an azelaic acid derivative.
Looking into sensitive skin
The company plans to expand its research into sensitive skin, which it believes is one of the most pressing issues among personal care consumers today. In particular it hopes to tackle the blossoming baby skin care market.
“We know a lot of mums have problems finding products for their babies. There are a lot of cosmetics but they are not suitable for babies. We want to be able to develop ingredients for those categories as well. We notice today that many babies develop issues like dermatitis,” said Hsieh.
She concluded: “We want to make sure we can tackle this category very well and we can because we have strong technology and expertise. We have very good complex organic synthesis technology and we also have our own cell cultures and cellular biochemistry lab.”