As the world eagerly anticipates the Olympic Games in 2024, the spotlight is not only on the athletes’ remarkable performances but also on the myriad benefits of an active lifestyle.
Exercise has long been known to transform our bodies by improving muscle tone and enhancing physical performance, as well as our wellbeing as we age.
Imagine if similar benefits could be achieved for the skin, solely through cosmetics.
Vytrus Biotech, a pioneer in sustainable plant stem cell biotechnology, is at the forefront of this movement with its latest innovation: Baolift, a Plasma Rich in Cellular Factors (PRCF) based on baobab stem cells that activates the molecular mechanisms of exercise in the skin.
This active has unveiled the secret to enviable ‘fit skin’ without the need for physical effort.
Discovering the importance of exerkines and the fundamental role of the novel skin-fascia-muscle axis has marked a new approach in the understanding of skin care.
The exerkine eATP is released into the extracellular environment during exercise, emitting electrical stimuli that activate a variety of cell types
The release of these intercellular messenger biomolecules and their transit through tissues became a source of interest for the development of Vytrus’ latest active ingredient.
In particular, the exerkine eATP (extracellular adenosine triphosphate, or extracellular ATP) caught researchers’ attention due to its physiological relevance.
This exerkine is released into the extracellular environment during exercise, emitting electrical stimuli that activate a variety of cell types, including myocytes, fibroblasts and keratinocytes.
Therefore, increasing the presence of eATP in the skin offers a revolutionary cosmetic perspective that firms and rejuvenates from the surface to the depths, with electrical pulses that spread like a wave through the tissues.
This new active ingredient stimulates the production of cutaneous exerkines such as eATP, MOTS-c and IGF-1, orchestrating an action in the skin-fascia-muscle axis.
It is a unique ingredient to improve muscle and skin tone without the need to exercise.
What does ‘fit skin’ mean?
The quest for fit skin has led Vytrus to further explore the effects of exercise on the skin.
The biotech company has taken on the challenge of researching this fascinating field, using its strong scientific foundation to better understand how exercise affects the appearance of the skin.
Vytrus immersed itself in detailed studies and rigorous experiments to unlock the secrets behind firm and rejuvenated skin.
To fully understand the connection between the skin and mechanisms of exercise, it is essential to go beyond the purely mechanical.
Vytrus’ research has revealed that exercise has a molecular impact on skin tissue, directly influencing its internal structure and biological functions.
There is a biochemistry of exercise. From collagen production to tissue firmness and density, exercise plays a crucial role in skin’s youthful appearance and vitality[1].
One of the most notable findings of this research are exerkines, molecules released by muscles during exercise that have beneficial effects on the skin.
Baolift improves skin luminosity and reduces signs of fatigue, with visible results in just 14 days, thanks to enhanced circulation
Furthermore, another significant aspect has been to demonstrate the bidirectional traffic of these biomolecules along the skin-fascia-muscle axis, adding to the well-known mechanical anatomical relationship between tissues.
The biochemistry of exercise Vytrus has developed a pioneering approach to skin care by mimicking a physical exercise regimen at the cellular level, based on an understanding of the coordinated response to exercise involving the exercise secretome: the workout factor.
This is characterised as the key axis to harness the biochemistry of exercise and help simultaneously stimulate epidermal and muscular exercise factors, promoting improved communication through the exerkines.
These biomolecules are essential for coordinating the communication and cooperation of the different parts of the body (musculoskeletal, epithelial, connective and nerve tissues) during exercise.
Vytrus has identified three key essential exerkines for skin rejuvenation:
Mitochondria-derived peptides (MDPs) are small, unique molecules encoded by mitochondrial DNA that are released during physical activity. These peptides, which include less than 30 amino acids, are not only involved in the provision of cellular energy but also in cellular communication, regeneration, and tissue maintenance, related to physical activity[2,3].
Vytrus has focused on the study of MOTS-c, which stimulates muscle response to exercise and increases muscle strength, proving to be key to improving fitness and muscle health[4].
Insulin Factor Type-1 (IGF-1) is a type of growth factor-like exerkine, essential for regulating muscle mass and acting as a link between muscle contraction and protein synthesis in fibres[5].
Extracellular ATP (eATP) is a recently discovered form of the ATP nucleotide, traditionally known for its intracellular role in energy metabolism[6]. During exercise, eATP is released into the extracellular environment from various cell types, such as myocytes, fibroblasts and keratinocytes, and acts as an extracellular messenger, functioning as a key exerkine.
eATP is part of purinergic signalling, one of the oldest and most universal mechanisms of communication between cells, allowing for fast and effective signal transmission. This makes eATP an essential component for cellular interaction and coordination during physical activities[7,8,9].
Exercise plays a crucial role in skin’s youthful appearance and vitality
A new role of extracellular ATP is claimed for the first time in a cosmetic application from Vytrus Biotech.
This biotechnological active offers a range of benefits for achieving fit skin by significantly improving hydration through the activation of the workout factor, which underscores the importance of maintaining adequate water supply.
Additionally, it enhances skin elasticity and reduces skin fatigue, contributing to a resilient complexion. By demonstrating tightening and lifting effects, Baolift protects against gravity-induced deformation, ensuring a more toned appearance.
It also achieves a notable reduction in wrinkle depth, highlighting its ‘exercise-like’ effects.
Furthermore, Baolift improves skin luminosity and reduces signs of fatigue, with visible results in just 14 days, thanks to enhanced circulation and reduced eye bags. Collectively, these benefits, driven by the skin-fascia-muscle axis, lead to a hydrated, elastic, firm and radiant complexion.
Sport-friendly formulations
Baolift, the 100% natural and COSMOS-approved active ingredient from baobab tree stem cells, opens a new door in cosmetic science by helping our skin to do its own exercise and introduces a new paradigm in the well-ageing market.
Through a sustainable lab-grown solution, inspired by nature, Baolift can be formulated in firming, strengthening and anti-sagging formulations, as well as in brightening and moisturising facial routines, eye contour treatment formulations, wrinkle reduction and well-ageing cosmetic lines.
Vytrus Biotech has developed several formulations incorporating Baolift to harness the benefits of the skin-fascia-muscle axis for sports-themed skin care routines.
These formulations are designed to complement an active lifestyle, ensuring skin skin remains fit, toned and radiant.
Myolift: The biodynamic emulsion
Myolift is a transformative emulsion enriched with Baolift, designed to exercise facial muscles similarly to how we exercise our bodies. This biodynamic emulsion adapts to the skin’s needs in real time, optimising the penetration of Baolift during application.
The emulsion transitions from a light, fresh texture to a rich, water-resistant cream upon massaging, providing long-lasting hydration and protection even during intense physical activities.
Bouncing Emulsion: Activation of the workout factor
This formulation features natural gelling agents that provide a rebound effect, returning the emulsion to its initial form after manipulation. Baolift enhances the skin’s viscoelasticity, providing a lifting effect and reducing the appearance of deep wrinkles.
This formula also is combined with Centella Reversa, from Centella asiatica stem cells, infused as a potent peptide booster based on a growth factor-like activity in the formulation.
This emulsion offers potent hydrating and firming benefits, making the skin feel velvety smooth and rejuvenated.
Eye-Xercise: Refreshing eye patches
Perfect for a relaxing skin care routine, Eye-Xercise patches significantly reduce under-eye puffiness.
Baolift activates tissue around the eyes, improving circulation and reducing the volume of eye bags.
The cooling sensation of the patches helps to relax the eye area, making it an ideal treatment after a long day.
This 2-in-1 sustainable formula can be also applied on the face after use of the eye patches, in order to take full advantage of the benefits of the active. The patches can be melted in water at 60ºC then applied as a serum when at room temperature for toned, re-shaped, moisturised and more radiant skin.
Skin-Fit: Comprehensive facial and body treatment
Skin-Fit is a versatile emulsion that addresses multiple skin care needs with a single formulation.
Baolift works in synergy with Sarcoslim Re-Shape, from Sarcocapnos crassifolia stem cells, to reduce under-eye bags by reducing the accumulated fat and take advantage of the intercellular energy released in this process to tighten and reaffirm the skin.
This fast-absorbing emulsion is perfect for a quick skin care routine, providing hydration and a non-greasy finish.
References
- Nishikori S, Yasuda J, Murata K, Takegaki J, Harada Y, Shirai Y, Fujita S. Resistance training rejuvenates aging skin by reducing circulating inflammatory factors and enhancing dermal extracellular matrices. Sci Rep. 2023 Jun 23;13(1): 10214. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-37207-9. PMID: 37353523; PMCID: PMC10290068.
- Reynolds, J.C., Lai, R.W., Woodhead, J.S.T. et al. MOTS-c is an exercise-induced mitochondrialencoded regulator of age-dependent physical decline and muscle homeostasis. Nat Commun 12, 470 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/ s41467-020-20790-0
- Yoon T.K., Lee C.H., Kwon O., Kim M.-S. Exercise, Mitohormesis, and Mitochondrial ORF of the 12S rRNA Type-C (MOTS-c) Diabetes Metab. J. 2022; 46:402–413. doi: 10.4093/DMJ.2022.0092
- Türkel İ, Özerkliğ B, Atakan MM, Aktitiz S, Koşar ŞN, Yazgan B. Exercise and Metabolic Health: The Emerging Roles of Novel Exerkines. Curr Protein Pept Sci. 2022; 23(7):437-455. doi: 10.2174/ 1389203723666220629163524. PMID: 35770405.
- Magliulo L, Bondi D, Pini N, Marramiero L, Di Filippo ES. The wonder exerkines-novel insights: a critical state-of-the-art review. Mol Cell Biochem. 2022 Jan; 477(1):105-113. doi: 10.1007/ S11010-021-04264-5. Epub 2021 Sep 23. PMID: 34554363; PMCID: PMC8755664
- Hargreaves, M., Spriet, L.L. Skeletal muscle energy metabolism during exercise. Nat Metab 2, 817–828 (2020). https:// doi.org/10.1038/s42255-020-0251-4.
- Falqueto, Hugo & Júnior, Jorge & Machado Cardoso, Andréia & Manfredi, Leandro. (2021). Physical exercise and purinergic system. 10.7476/9786586 545494.0004.
- Ley-Ngardigal S, Bertolin G. Approaches to monitor ATP levels in living cells: where do we stand? FEBS J. 2022 Dec; 289(24):7940-7969. doi: 10.1111/ febs.16169. Epub 2021 Sep 3. PMID: 34437768.
- Zimmermann H. Extracellular ATP and other nucleotides-ubiquitous triggers of intercellular messenger release. Purinergic Signal.
