Healthy aging: Anti-inflammaging, retinol research and advanced delivery systems

Personal Care Insights delves into Lycored’s anti-inflammaging and beauty-from-within solutions alongside Hydrinity’s advanced delivery systems. We also examine Kenvue’s research on 0.1% retinol, which boasts the largest clinical data set available in scientific literature on this ingredient.

Data from Innova Market Insights reveals that personal care products featuring anti-aging claims have seen a 2% average annual growth rate between April 2019 and March 2024, with Facial/Neck Moisturizers representing 43% of these launches. The leading claims for anti-aging products were Moisturizing & Hydrating, Reduces Fine Lines/Wrinkles, and Brightening/Illuminating.

According to market research, the “Fountain of Youth” trend ranks as the second most significant personal care trend of the year. Products are increasingly promoting rejuvenation and renewal benefits, influenced by growing consumer interest. Notably, 33% of consumers consider anti-aging or healthy aging to be the most important functional skincare feature, with terms like “longevity” and “immortality” becoming more common in marketing.

Keith O’Briant, CEO of Hydrinity, highlights bioengineered ingredients as an exciting trend due to their provision of “highly targeted benefits and greater consistency compared to traditional extracts.” For example, bioengineered peptides can be engineered to replicate the skin’s natural signaling processes, enhancing their effectiveness in stimulating collagen production and skin repair.

“Another promising trend is the use of advanced delivery systems, such as our Microfusion Technology, which significantly boosts the penetration and efficacy of active ingredients. These innovations have tremendous potential to create even more effective and transformative anti-aging skincare solutions,” he shares.

Caroline Schroeder, Global Head of Marketing at Lycored, expresses enthusiasm about the growing consumer and brand interest in natural ingredients. “As more consumers seek natural wellness solutions, Lycored is excited to provide brands with naturally derived, tomato-based ingredients that align with consumer expectations for effective, science-backed solutions,” she states.

“Consumers are also expanding their definitions of beauty, looking for holistic self-care solutions that support beauty-from-within throughout the aging journey. We assist brands in delivering effective products that demonstrate an understanding and care for consumer health and well-being.”

image credits: Personal care insight

Tomato-Based Anti-Inflammaging

Schroeder explains how Lycored’s ingredients are tailored to promote healthy aging, particularly through Lycomato, a wellness extract derived from red tomatoes that contains a “full spectrum of phytonutrients, including lycopene, beta-carotene, phytoene, phytofluene, vitamins A and E, and phytosterols, which provide essential fatty acids.”

“Lycomato is a versatile anti-inflammaging powerhouse that supports timeless aging at a cellular level, offering benefits such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, immunity support, and contributions to men’s and women’s health, heart health, eye health, skin health, and bone health. Ultimately, Lycomato helps achieve and maintain cellular balance, promoting health and longevity,” she continues.

“Lumenato, an extract from our proprietary golden tomatoes, contains a balanced mix of carotenoids, including phytoene and phytofluene, along with strong antioxidants and healthy fatty acids that work together to support beauty-from-within and enhance skin structure.”

Schroeder notes that Lumenato improves skin structure and appearance over time, helping to slow visible signs of aging. It protects the skin from environmental threats like UV rays, regulates inflammation, and creates reservoirs of nutrients and antioxidants that facilitate graceful aging.

Unlike many nutrients that are quickly eliminated from the body, she states that both Lycomato and Lumenato are absorbed into the bloodstream and are suitable for individuals of all ages, genders, and skin types.

Safety, Efficacy, and Sustainability

According to Schroeder, Lycored’s healthy aging solutions are backed by scientific research. “For instance, Lycored has conducted 24 clinical trials on Lycomato, alongside various external trials. In total, studies validating its numerous health benefits have involved 1,169 subjects over a combined 295 weeks,” she explains.

“We embrace the gifts of nature. For example, during the solvent-free extraction process for Lumenato, we allow nature to take its course and honor its processes. By avoiding solvents, we can consistently deliver the full range of beneficial molecules from tomatoes. This approach also allows Lumenato to be Non-GMO Project Verified and supports a solvent-free declaration for ingestible skincare applications.”

image credits: Hydrinity (

Lycored adopts a holistic approach to natural solutions and ensures “sustainability through 100% utilization of harvested tomatoes,” minimizing waste. The journey begins with seeds in greenhouses, continues through harvesting, and includes the diverse use of tomato components across our product portfolio, including food and health extracts. Leftover plant materials are upcycled into the animal feed industry, according to Schroeder.

Wrinkle Care

The Mayo Clinic advocates for a holistic approach to skincare, emphasizing the need to embrace aging rather than fear it. Dermatologist Elika Hoss, MD, states that wrinkles are a natural part of aging, with sun protection being the most crucial strategy for wrinkle prevention. “I tell patients that sunscreen is the number one, two, and three anti-aging cream,” she says. At night, she recommends applying an anti-aging product, such as retinol, after cleansing with a gentle cleanser, followed by a moisturizer.

In topical strategies for healthy aging, Kenvue supports the use of 0.1% retinol as a cosmetic solution, as shown in a study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. The study involved administering retinol daily to 237 participants, while a placebo was given to 234 others.

When compared to the placebo, researchers found that retinol led to more significant improvements in signs of photoaging. These improvements were observable by week four and continued through week 12. Only a few participants reported mild to moderate transient irritation. After 12 weeks, both retinol and the placebo were well tolerated.

“Retinol is the number one dermatologist-recommended anti-aging cosmetic ingredient available over-the-counter and is highly sought after by consumers. However, not all retinol products are created equal,” states Menas Kizoulis, Kenvue’s Senior Director of Global Scientific Engagement.

Targeting Cellular Aging

Claiming to be the fastest-growing professional skincare brand in the U.S., Hydrinity’s O’Briant discusses how their ingredients and technology promote healthy aging.

“We focus on incorporating high-potency antioxidants, peptides, and hyaluronic acid to address signs of aging at the cellular level. These ingredients work together synergistically to stimulate collagen production, enhance elasticity, and improve hydration. By targeting the root causes of skin aging, such as oxidative stress and collagen depletion, our products help maintain a youthful and vibrant appearance,” he states.

“Our anti-aging ingredients stand out due to their advanced formulations and delivery systems. Traditional anti-aging products often provide only surface-level benefits, while our Microfusion Technology ensures that active ingredients penetrate deeply into the skin, delivering more significant and longer-lasting results.”

O’Briant adds that their stabilized vitamin C offers strong antioxidant protection without the instability commonly found in conventional formulations. The peptides and growth factors also function more efficiently than traditional anti-aging treatments due to their design to interact with skin cells.

To ensure safety and efficacy, he emphasizes that each ingredient undergoes rigorous testing, including clinical trials, in collaboration with dermatologists and researchers to validate both the ingredients and their formulation benefits. “Additionally, our products undergo extensive stability and sensitivity testing to ensure they are safe for all skin types, including aging and sensitive skin,” he adds.

O’Briant asserts that the brand is committed to ethical sourcing and environmentally friendly production practices: “We prioritize using sustainably harvested botanicals and renewable resources. Sugarcane serves as a versatile raw material and a renewable resource utilized in many of our products, significantly reducing our environmental footprint.”

“We extract valuable components from sugarcane, such as squalane, a highly effective moisturizing agent. Squalane derived from sugarcane is not only sustainable but also exceptionally pure and effective in hydrating and protecting the skin.”