Imagine my surprise then to see yesterday that Spanish ingredients supplier Monteloeder has been working on Melagenol – a skin lightening product that can be taken in food – for long enough to produce a white paper on the subject.
Produced from plant extracts, Melagenol is designed as an alternative to skin lightening creams and lotions, which can cause discoloured skin patches. When taken as a dietary supplement, it protects the whole body so avoiding patchy discolouration.
It works by influencing the synthesis of melanin – the chemical that causes the skin to darken. Thanks to its relatively low required dosage (300-500mg daily), it can be consumed in oral capsules and candy.
Monteloeder director Fernando Cartagena said: “Sales of skin lightening products will be worth about $20 billion by 2018 but the topical products on the market today often cause as many problems as they solve. Melagenol has none of these issues. It simply offers highly effective skin-lightening without side effects, which means it is ideal for both general skin whitening and the treatment of unwanted dark patches on the skin. With Melagenol, it is now possible for beauty companies to create products that offer consumers lighter skin from within.”
There is strong scientific evidence to support the efficacy of Melagenol. In a recent study performed at the University Miguel Hernandez in Elche, Spain, it was shown to inhibit melanin production in melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin, in a dose-response manner – so preventing the appearance of unattractive dark spots.
I am still sceptical – as many of us, particularly when ageing, have small dark spots which would not react to an all over lightening of skin. However I can imagine that this product could prove popular and remain suitably in awe of the scientists who have made progress in this arena.
The idea of ‘beauty from within’ was laughed at when I first mentioned it when presenting on trends in beverage innovation back in 2005. Now we are expecting at least a few beauty drinks entering into the upcoming World Beverage Innovation Awards – it’s a new world, it’s a new day and beauty has new tools.
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