Showa Denko to launch vitamin C derivative in Asia

ASCOMATE-C, a vitamin C derivative developed specifically for use in personal care products, will be launched by Showa Denko K.K. for the Asia Pacific region at the upcoming in-cosmetics Asia 2014. The raw materials and ingredients manufacturer will be exhibiting as part of the Japan Country Focus at the show, which will be held in Bangkok from 4 – 6 November 2014.

The latest addition to the Showa Denko range of chemical derivatives that exhibits superior stability in aqueous solutions is intended for skin lightening/brightening applications.

“This is our first official introduction of Ascomate-C to the APAC region, and we hope that it will gather interest among manufacturers of Asian skincare products,” said Atsushi Shibato, sales manager, Personal Care Materials Group.

Half of 25,000 respondents in a consumer survey conducted by Datamonitor* in 2013 across 24 markets  in Asia see skin lightening/brightening benefits as an essential feature of skincare products. On the other hand, less than a quarter of consumers in Western Europe and North America share this sentiment.

While Vitamin C has proven efficacies in skin whitening, its instability makes it difficult to deliver the optimum dosage for maximum absorption. Showa Denko  developed Ascomate-C to overcome such challenges.

In addition to exhibiting high stability in aqueous solutions, the vitamin C derivative is resistant to heat and oxygen, stable in formulations, and remains inactive and chemically stable under atmospheric conditions until applied on the skin. Once applied, it can be easily hydrolysed by intradermal enzymes to form ascorbic acid for effective transdermal delivery, and provide functions that include:    

·       Whitening and depigmentation, by the inhibition of melanin synthesis

·       Boosting of collagen synthesis and inhibition of collagen degradation

·       Anti-aging, due to deceleration of cell aging

·       UV protection, and protection of hair cuticles against chlorine damage, due to its radical scavenging ability

The high anti-oxidative property of Ascomate-C also shows less decolourisation when dissolved, giving rise to a clearer solution that may improve the appearance of end-product formulations.

Showa Denko’s showcase highlights two other chemical derivatives – Hi-Carnitine (HLC) and Methyl hesperidin. Particularly suited for anti-aging formulations, HLC is a new carnitine derivative that can effectively penetrate through skin, releases carnitine enzymatically, enhances the intracellular concentration of carnitine, and so generates energy to activate skin cells to combat common signs of aging skin, such as fine lines, dullness, dryness, and loss of elasticity.

Methy hesperidin, on the other hand, is a hesperidin derivative has the anti-oxidative and anti-allergic propertiesas hesperidin (vitamin P), but with high water solubility properties. When used in combination with vitamin C, Methyl hesperidin is able to enhance the whitening effects of skin care products, while its anti-glycation effect prevents dullness and loss of elasticity in skin. Additionally, the hesperidin derivative promotes micro-circulation, making it suitable for use in massage creams and eye care products.

To find out more about Showa Denko’s range of products, stop by Stand B51, located within the Japanese Pavilion at in-cosmetics Asia 2014, BITEC Bangkok, from 4 to 6 November 2014.