Meet Naolys’ newest Active Plant Cells launch based on the Goji plant, Lycium barbarum

The Goji plant, Lycium barbarum, has small, red or orange-red fruit that grow on a woody shrub belonging to the Solanaceae family. Native to Asia, particularly China, Tibet, and Mongolia, this exotic gem has been cultivated for millennia for its dual health and beauty benefits. In traditional Chinese medicine, the Goji’s reputation as a source of vitality, enriched with antioxidants, vitamins (notably vitamin C), and essential minerals, has long been cherished. Its benefits include boosted immune defences, brighter skin, and improved clarity of vision. In modern times, this radiant fruit has risen to superfood stardom, captivating the world with promises of both health and aesthetic enhancement.
Known as “The Beauty Elixir”, the Goji is also a valued ingredient in cosmetic formulations, in which its antioxidant properties help to slow the passage of time, offering not just skincare, but a radiant, age-defying appeal embodying the untamed spirit of the Himalayas.

How it works ?
The Complex Relationship Between Melanin, Tyrosinase, and Skin Pigmentation

Melanin, a vital biological pigment that determines skin, hair, and eye colour, is synthesized by specialized skin cells called melanocytes, located in the basal layer of the epidermis. This process, melanogenesis, is orchestrated by the enzyme tyrosinase, initiating the conversion of the amino acid tyrosine into dopaquinone, a melanin precursor.

The pivotal role of tyrosinase activity cannot be overstated. Elevated activity expedites the conversion of tyrosine into dopaquinone, intensifying melanin production. Controlled tyrosinase activity is instrumental in sustaining a harmonized melanin profile.

The melanin produced embarks on a journey from melanocytes to keratinocytes, outer skin layer cells. Its dispersion within keratinocytes determines skin colouration. Overproduction in specific areas leads to dark spots, pigment inconsistencies, and hyperpigmentation, while insufficient production results in lighter skin tones.

Melanin synthesis, tyrosinase activity, and skin pigmentation thus form a tightly woven nexus. It can be employed to either reduce melanin production or target its presence.
This dual-pronged approach can result in a more uniform and lighter complexion, notably reducing the visibility of pigmentation spots, including age spots and those induced by sun exposure.

Our approach extends to the control of tyrosinase activity. By modulating this critical enzyme’s function, we effectively curb the acceleration of melanin production. This not only addresses existing pigmentation issues but also acts pre-emptively to deter the emergence of new spots and irregularities.

SpotLight Goji optimizes skin complexion and tone through its dual approach of reducing melanin production and regulating tyrosinase activity.

The Crucial Role of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Achieving Brighter and More Even-Toned Skin.

Managing Inflammation

Inflammation is a complex biological response to various stimuli, including UV radiation, pollutants, and other environmental factors. It can lead to skin irritation, redness, and discomfort.

SpotLight Goji has the potential to manage inflammation by soothing and calming the skin. It does so by addressing the synthesis of specific mediators within the skin, including cytokines and prostaglandins.

Antioxidant Protection

The skin is constantly exposed to free radicals, which are highly reactive molecules that can damage skin cells and lead to premature aging.

Lipid peroxidation is a complex biochemical process that occurs in cells when oxidative stress, primarily caused by free radicals, damages the lipids (fats) within cell membranes. This process can result from various external factors such as exposure to UV radiation, pollution, or toxins, as well as internal factors like metabolic processes. The process begins when free radicals, which are highly reactive molecules with unpaired electrons, attack and damage the lipids in cell membranes. This damage can lead to the creation of lipid radicals.

Lipid radicals, formed during initiation, react with nearby lipids, triggering a chain reaction. This reaction causes further damage to the cell membrane lipids, resulting in the formation of lipid peroxides.

Spotlight Goji effectively mitigates the harmful impacts of oxidative stress on the skin, protecting cells functions from both natural and induced oxidation.