Active Micro Technologies has launched PhytoCide Lichen, a preservative active ingredient made from reindeer lichen for use in beauty and personal care products.
PhytoCide Lichen (INCI: 2, 3-Butanediol (and) Cladonia Rangiferina Extract) is made from Cladonia rangiferina – commonly known as reindeer lichen - which rich in usnic acid that provides broad-spectrum protection for cosmetic applications with good compliancy in anionic systems.
Usnic acid has a wide range of biological activity, most notably antibacterial activity against plant and human infections, as well as inhibitory effect against antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains.
With antioxidant capabilities, Active Micro Technologies says its new active will also help protect the skin from oxidative stress and cell ageing.
In research, PhytoCide Lichen has proven the following:
- Exhibited greater antioxidant activity than 200μM Trolox.
- Fibroblasts treated with PhytoCide Lichen at 0.01%, 0.1%, and 1.0% exhibited a reduction in oxidative stress levels compared to fibroblasts exposed to AntA.
- The positive MIC screening results warranted further testing to confirm its ability to provide product preservation.
“The preservative industry has been burgeoning with outstanding development over the past decades. The main reasons behind it are the increase in customers' demands on natural, sustainable, and clean for beauty and personal care products,” said a Active Micro Technologies spokeswoman.
“This is why preservatives play an increasingly important role in cosmetic formulations; preservation is no longer thought of as the final stage in the formulation process, but rather as a need that can serve several purposes and improve formulae cosmetic properties,” she added.
