DSM has announced the launch of Syn-Glycan, a new peptide formula that can be used as a bioactive ingredient in cosmetic products to reduce wrinkle formation and sagging – the most visible signs of ageing.
Syn-Glycan works in two ways.
It boosts the skin’s own production of hyaluronan as shown by in vitro experiments, which binds the dermal water into a gel-like form and protects and structures the skin’s collagen and dermis cells. This compensates for the lower hyaluronan levels seen in mature skin, which loses its ability to bind water. By boosting the amount of hyaluronan in the dermis, Syn-Glycan firms skin from the inside out. Syn-Glycan also increases decorin and lumican levels, two important proteins present in human skin which improve collagen fibres by making them thinner and stronger. Scientific trials have provided convincing evidence of Syn-Glycan’s efficacy in remodelling facial contours. When tested in normal human fibroblasts, Syn-Glycan peptide was shown to increase skin-identical hyaluronan synthesis by a factor of four, while also boosting production of decorin (73%) and lumican (66%). A doubleblind study was also performed with 40 female volunteers aged 55-65 and demonstrating visible skin sagging. In addition to noticing improvements in the firmness of their skin, the participants reported that it felt softer and more hydrated. In fact, Syn-Glycan significantly increased tension by 3%, tonicity by 17% and firmness by 7%.
