Slimming cosmetics
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Special body care products, so-called slimming cosmetics, help to make the body appear slimmer and firmer. They are particularly effective on female problem areas such as the thighs, waist and upper arms and can reduce or prevent cellulite.
They not only slow down the loss of firmness of the skin that occurs over the years, they also support the figure-improving results of fitness training, the adjustment of the skin during a slimming diet and help against stretch marks that can result from pregnancy.
The slimming cosmetics effect is based on active ingredients that stimulate microcirculation and skin metabolism, strengthen the skin’s support structures, increase skin density, reduce the volume of fat cells and boost fat burning.
Below are some formulations that implement the slimming cosmetics concept with different active ingredient strategies.
Sharp substances promote fat burning
ShapePerfection (trade name, Mibelle Biochemsitry) is an oil-soluble anti-cellulite and slimming cosmetics active ingredient.
It uses natural capsaicin, the pungent substance in chilli, and a biological mustard sprout extract (Brassica alba) as the active substance. These two substances have a vasodilating effect, activate the microcirculation, and counteract water retention in the cellulite tissue.
They are also able to convert the fat-storing white fat cells into brown fat cells, which burn fat and can thus generate body heat.
This conversion is called fat browning.
While brown fat cells are still abundant in newborns, they become less so over time. Fat cell browning succeeds through exposure to cold, exercise and pungents.
The ingredient that gives the pungent taste to plants of the Brassicaceae family, such as radishes, cress, mustard sprouts, broccoli, is sulforaphane. It has anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to convert white fatty tissue into brown.
The pungent substance in chilli, capsaicin, also has a fat-browning effect and can stimulate microcirculation even in small amounts.
The brown colouring of the fatty tissue is due to the numerous mitochondria, which are known as the power plants of the cells and produce energy.
The conversion of white adipocytes into brown adipocytes has been demonstrated for ShapePerfection in vitro. Due to the volume reduction, the dermis/hypodermis interface was also reduced.
Clinical studies confirmed the fast, strong, and visible slimming cosmetics and anti-cellulite effect, which became visible after one month. Microcirculation in the skin was improved. The body contours were visibly more clearly formed and the silhouette appeared slimmer. The circumference of the waist, abdomen and upper arms was measurably reduced.
Fact sheet
INCI: Brassica Alba Sprout Extract, Capsaicin , Caprylic / Capric Triglyceride
Trade name: ShapePerfection
Description: liquid, oil-soluble, alcohol-free, without preservatives
Recommended concentration: 1 – 2 %.
Effect: Slimming cosmetics, increases fat burning, anti-cellulite
Multiple slimming cosmetics strategy with soya
The soybean (Glycine max) contains numerous unsaturated fatty acids, lecithin, proteins, secondary plant substances that make it interesting for use in cosmetics, whether for the production of liposomes or as a moisturiser, for soothing and firming the skin, strengthening the supporting fibres.
The secondary plant substance with the highest content is the isoflavone genistein. It exists in nature in the glycoside form (genistin) and must be converted to the aglycone (genistein) to become physiologically effective. It tightens the skin, inhibits the breakdown of collagen fibres and stimulates their formation. These properties make it suitable for use in slimming cosmetics and anti-cellulite products.
Iso-SlimComplex (trade name, Mibelle Biochemistry) combines genistein, caffeine and carnitine, which stimulate fat loss and improve microcirculation, and the extract of the cyanobacterium (blue-green algae) Spirulina platensis, which improves collagen structure and tightens the skin.
The body silhouette-improving and cellulite-reducing properties of Iso-SlimComplex have been confirmed in clinical studies.
A 37% reduction in cellulite was reported, as well as a measurable reduction in thigh circumference. The skin appeared smoother, firmer and more elastic.
In vitro tests showed that the differentiation of preadipocytes was inhibited and the formation of collagen IV was increased.
Fact sheet
INCI: Spirulina Platensis Extract, Soy Isoflavones, Caffeine, Carnitine, Polysorbate 80, Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol, Aqua
Trade name: Iso-SlimComplex
Description: Liquid, water soluble
Recommended concentration: 1 – 5 %.
Effect: Slimming cosmetics effect, anti-cellulite, skin tightening
Dermal stem cells improve skin density and body silhouette
Fibroblasts are the predominant cell type in the dermis. They ensure the continuous production of collagen and elastin. When old fibroblasts lose their ability to function, they not only stop producing collagen and elastin, they begin to break down the surrounding matrix that serves to retain moisture, exchange substances and hold tissues together. The replacement of the aged cells by new fibroblasts succeeds through dermal stem cells.
The active ingredient with the trade name PhytoCellTec Argan (Mibelle Biochemistry) is based on this approach. It uses the plant stem cells of the argan tree. PhytoCellTec Argan is the first active ingredient that has a proven protective effect on dermal stem cells and is able to achieve a significant rejuvenation of the skin.
The activity-increasing effect on fibroblast stem cells has been proven in vitro.
This strengthens the subcutaneous-dermis connection and increases skin density in the upper dermis. The tightening of the connective tissue (measured on the thighs) contributes to the prevention of cellulite. The slimming cosmetics effect is visible in the younger and firmer appearing skin.
Fact Sheet
INCI: Argania Spinosa Callus Culture Extract, Isomalt, Lecithin, Aqua / Water
Trade name: PhytoCellTec Argan
Description: Powder, water soluble, without alcohol, without preservatives
Recommended concentration: 0.4 – 1 %.
Effect: Rejuvenation, slimming cosmetics, skin tightening
Crocus for better cell communication
The epidermis communicates with the neighbouring dermis via signalling molecules. This communication is fundamental for the control of repair and regeneration processes. The messenger substances are mainly cytokines and growth factors. If the ratio of formation and release of these signalling molecules is not correct, the biosynthesis of the important proteins of the extracellular matrix, collagen and elastin, can be reduced.
The formation of these proteins can be activated by stimulating the synthesis and release of growth factors by the keratinocytes; this is possible with active substances applied externally to the skin. Crocus bulb extract has been shown to be effective in activating these growth factors and increasing collagen and elastin formation.
DermCom (trade name, Mibelle Biochemstry) is extracted from the bulb of the crocus (Crocus chrysanthus). The active ingredient stimulates communication between skin cells and is thus able to rejuvenate the skin matrix and reverse ageing changes that have already occurred.
The increase in the release of growth factors in keratinocytes and the stimulating effect on growth factor-like functions in fibroblasts have been demonstrated in vitro.
In clinical use, the firming effect, increased skin density and reduction of stretch marks were visible after one month. The skin appeared visibly rejuvenated.
Fact sheet
INCI: Crocus Chrysanthus Bulb Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum, Aqua
Description: Powder, water soluble, without alcohol, without preservatives, COSMOS approved
Trade name: DermCom
Recommended concentration: 0.4 – 2 %.
Effect: cell communication, collagen-elastin formation, slimming cosmetics, reduces stretch marks
Cosmacon advises on slimming cosmetics solution
Find the slimming cosmetics and anti-cellulite formulation that harmonise with your brand philosophy. We are happy to support you in choosing the right active ingredients and developing effective products.
Literature:
Byun SY, Kwon SH, Heo SH, Shim JS, Du MH, Na JI.Ann Dermatol. 2015 Jun;27(3):243-9.
Applications of Tea (Camellia sinensis) and its Active Constituents in Cosmetics.
Koch W, Zagórska J, Marzec Z, Kukula-Koch W.Molecules. 2019 Nov 24;24(23):4277