The modern beauty landscape is witnessing a significant shift towards holistic wellness, driven by the understanding that true beauty stems from within.
This "beauty from within" approach emphasises the connection between overall health and outward appearance. A key component of this trend is the increasing popularity of natural ingredients, especially botanicals. These powerful ingredients offer a wide range of benefits, from combating the signs of aging and reducing oxidative stress to supporting optimal skin and hair health.
The relevance of this trend is confirmed by economics. As noted in a report by Grand View Research (Grand View Research, 2021 https://www.grandviewresearch.com/), the global nutricosmetics market is projected to reach USD 9.27 billion by 2028, driven by increasing consumer awareness of the link between nutrition and beauty.
The report highlights several key drivers for this growth, starting from an increasing consumer awareness: consumers are becoming more educated about the link between nutrition and skin health, hair health, and overall well-being. They are actively seeking products that address beauty concerns from the inside out.
More, the growing aging population is driving demand for anti-aging products, including nutricosmetics that claim to reduce wrinkles, improve skin elasticity, and promote hair growth.
Last but not least, ongoing scientific research into the efficacy of various nutrients and supplements in promoting beauty is further fuelling market growth. This aspect is very important, as consumers are becoming more discerning and are looking for products backed by scientific evidence.
Indena is deeply attuned to the growing consumer demand for 'beauty from within' solutions and offers a portfolio of botanical extracts which can support skin and hair health.
A healthy skin, with the power of nature
The secret to vibrant skin lies in a delicate balance. Factors like detoxification, inflammation, emotional and hormonal health, and protection from environmental aggressors, especially UV rays, all play a crucial role. When these elements are aligned, skin radiates health and youthfulness. Natural ingredients offer powerful support, promoting the skin's innate ability to repair, renew, and maintain its long-term beauty.
One of the most innovative products Indena developed specifically for skin health is PUREBKALETM. It is an aqueous dry extract from seeds of Brassica oleracea var. virids (L.) (syn. Brassica oleracea var. acephala DC.) - Brassicaceae family, standardise to provide ≥17% of glucoraphanin by HPLC. This compound is precursor of sulforaphane (SFN), an active isothiocyanate produced when glucoraphanin is metabolised by the enzyme myrosinase, a compound extensively studied for its health- promoting properties (1).
Indena's Tuscan black kale seed extract is sourced from a carefully selected supplier based in Northern Italy following a rigorous screening of over 20 seed samples from various Brassica oleracea varieties, origins, and suppliers. This supplier works directly with local farmers, providing expert support to ensure sustainable cultivation practices. The ideal climate and soil conditions in this area contribute to the superior quality of the seeds, making it one of the largest producing areas in Europe for the production of black kale seeds. Furthermore, Tuscan black kale, like all brassicas, has a nematicide function: the compounds contained in the roots and residues that remain in the field, function as a "natural pesticide" for the soil helping to fight nematodes, thus ensuring better growth conditions for subsequent production and possible less use of fertilisers. Finally, in line with our commitment to sustainability, the extract is produced using only water as solvent.
Scientific literature supports the enzymatic conversion of glucoraphanin into sulforaphane by the human gut microbiota (2). This transformation unlocks the bioactive potential of sulforaphane, which has been linked to a variety of benefits like detoxifying and antioxidant capabilities. Specifically, sulforaphane has shown promise in preventing photoaging of the skin and reducing the risk of sunburns by modulating the effects of UV radiation. Additionally, sulforaphane promotes skin nourishment, making it a powerful ingredient for overall skin health (3-4).
Beyond the newly launched PUREBKALETM, Indena has a portfolio of extracts, backed by strong scientific data, that can benefit skin health.
Some of those are formulated with Indena Phytosome® technology which enhances the power of phytonutrients. They are BERBEVIS®, Indena’s berberine extract, able to promote purity and smoothness in acne-prone skins through proven hormonal balancing effects; MERIVA®, a highly bioabsorbed curcumin and a science-backed ingredient, able to modulate inflammatory response in favour of atopic-prone skins and topical discomforts; QUERCEFIT®, which has a natural healthy aging beneficial effect thanks to the senolytic benefits of quercetin. UBIQSOME®, an exclusive CoQ10 nutraceutical ingredient which boosts cellular energy and skin vitality promoting an enhanced absorption of ubiquinone in dermal cells. RELISSA®, which delivers the benefits of lemon balm very effectively and is able to support mental balance and restful sleep, crucial for skin rejuvenation in favour of a radiant, youthful appearance. In the Indena portfolio for the health of skin are also LEUCOSELECT®, a high-quality grape seed extract, rich in oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), which provide excellent antioxidant protection and brightening benefits, and OPEXTAN®, which fosters skin renewal and sun exposure protection thanks to the power of olive fruits extract from southern Italy olives.
Botanicals to nourish the hair
Botanicals, rooted in time-honoured practices, are now recognised for their powerful benefits in hair care. These nutrient-rich ingredients, with their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and strengthening properties, work synergistically to nourish the hair and scalp.
The Indena portfolio includes two products specifically able to help hair health.
SABALSELECT® is a premium, highly standardised Serenoa repens extract which unleashes hair's potential supporting hair growth, improved texture, and a noticeably fuller appearance, thanks to the traditional benefits of saw palmetto.
MILLET is proven to promote scalp health, enhance hair density, boost growth, and improve overall hair appearance exploiting the efficacy of standardised Panicum miliaceum extract.
Indena remains committed to pioneering the "beauty from within" movement by providing high-quality, scientifically-backed botanical solutions. As consumer awareness and demand for proactive health and beauty care continue to grow, Indena will continue to dedicate its resources to developing innovative and effective ingredients that empower individuals to nurture their well-being from the inside out.
References:
- Sulforaphane Glucosinolate Monograph. Volume 15, number 4. Alternative Medicine Review. 2010
- Cascajosa-Lira et al., Phytomedicine 130 (2024) 155731
- Šamec et al., Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, DOI: 10.1080/10408398 (2018) 1454400
- Moskwa et al., Nutrients (2023), 15, 3594
