Silanol technology: a powerful tool for skin care

Because of this structure optimisation and of its ability to stimulate skin cells’ metabolism, organic silicium provides the skin with global benefits (hydration, firmness, etc.). However, in order to maintain this biological activity, it is essential to maintain this organic silicium core as a monomer. In order to do so, another molecule that may itself have some cosmetic benefits, is used to stabilise the silicium in its monomeric active form. On top of the added benefits of the organic silicium and the molecule used to stabilise it, there is a real synergy as the silicium will be able to improve the penetration, the bioavailability and therefore the activity of the compound it is stabilised with for further benefits.

 Silicium (also known as silicon) is the second most abundant element in the Earth’s crust after oxygen with 26%.1 Because of its high affinity for oxygen and/or aluminum, silicium is generally found in minerals under the form of hydrated aluminosilicate (emerald, quartz, sand). In the industry, silicium is widely used to synthesise polymers such as silicone or resins. All these polymeric forms of silicium are devoid of biological activities. Polymeric forms of silicium are also found in some life forms, where they play the role of structural elements. In plants such as bamboo or horsetail, high amounts of silicium are found coupled with cellulose in roots, leaves and stems.2 This combination improves resistance to mechanical stress. Silicium is also used as an exoskeleton by microscopic algae.3 Animals do not use polymeric silicium for strengthening. Instead, a monomeric form of silicium (othosilicic acid) is used to bridge biopolymers, making them more resistant and resilient. In humans, silicium reinforces nails and hair (because of its high affinity for keratins), cartilages, bones where silicium participates in the mineralisation process,4 tendons, and aorta walls. In skin, silicium’s interactions with elastin, collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) ensure an optimal firmness, flexibility and elasticity.1 Many studies have shown that silicium also has some metabolic functions as it is involved in the formation of extracellular matrix components such as collagen fibres and GAGs.5–8 Silicium was also reported to behave as a detoxifying agent that prevents several aluminum-induced pathogenic conditions such as Alzheimer disease.9 Finally, silicium was shown to prevent cardiovascular diseases.10 With age, the amount of silicium naturally present in the skin tends to decrease11 and this is reflected by a decrease in skin firmness, flexibility and elasticity which will ultimately lead to wrinkle formation (Fig. 1). In order to counter this consequence of ageing, Exsymol has developed a patented technology, and designed a family of cosmetic compounds named silanols. This family of compounds contains a bioavailable form of silicium (the ‘silicium core’), which is coupled with another cosmetic ingredient to produce a synergy. In this paper, we will present this technology and the benefits of bioavailable silicium, emphasising the properties of the latest member of the silanol family, namely Epidermosil.

Silanol technology