Novel active ingredients in personal care products are becoming the main driving force behind developments in the market. Active ingredients with anti-ageing and antiwrinkling functions are already an essential part of skin care cosmetic formulations. They are incorporated in a wide range of products such as facial and hand creams, lotions, and facial masks. This market segment is showing a significant growth.
Active ingredients with anti-cellulite and slimming properties in personal care products for women have been researched and developed for some time by companies such as Agipal, Arch Personal Care Products, BASF, Bayer, Cognis GmbH, Croda, Lonza, Provital, and Seppic. However, new and previously untapped markets such as slimming personal care products that are specially designed for men might become important market segments in the future.
The overweight issue in Europe
Modern lifestyle in developed countries tends to promote overweight and obesity among adults. This is due to factors such as long working hours, lack of physical exercise and high calorie diets. Depending on the country and region, about 30 to 80% of the adult population in Europe is overweight (with a body mass index [BMI] of over 25). Obesity, deemed when the BMI is above 30, affects up to a third of this population.
Almost 400 million adults in Europe are estimated to be overweight and about 130 million, obese. If left unchecked, it is estimated that there would be about 150 million obese adults in the region by 2010. In addition, countries with traditionally low rates, such as France, the Netherlands and Norway, are showing increasing numbers.
Ingredients in the personal care market
Generally, natural ingredients are of higher value in the market and there is a growing demand for them in anti-ageing skin care products. However, the slimming personal care market is set to show a significant growth in the near future. This segment does not target women primarily, but men.
Demand is expected to increase gradually for these products as advertising and publicity campaigns intensify. However, consumers have become more sophisticated about their views on the products and are skeptical about manufacturers’ claims on weight loss. Here is a look at some active ingredients with slimming properties in personal care products for men:
• Guarana Guarana seed extract is a key natural active ingredient typically found in slimming personal care products. Guarana is the seed kernel of the tropical plant Paullinia Cupana variety Sorbilis that contains as much as 5.8% of tetra methylxanthine, which is a compound that is almost identical to caffeine.
The guarana seed is fatty and it is not readily water soluble even when it is grounded into powder form, and therefore will not be absorbed by the body quickly. Unlike coffee that stimulates a sudden rush and quick drop-off energy, guarana releases energy slowly for as long as six hours. This allows for the fat burning effect to take place throughout the day.
• Green tea extract
This is a natural active ingredient that could assist the metabolism of the body. Green tea extract has long been known for its heat generating-properties that promote fat burning. The polyphenols in green tea also contain epigallocatechin gallate, which has been known to significantly reduce appetite and subsequent body weight loss in healthy adults.
The caffeine and catechin polyphenols contained in green tea may work together to enhance the body's thermogenic activity, thus increasing the rate at which fat is broken down as well as mildly suppressing hunger and appetite. Green tea could also act as a diuretic that increases urine flow and the body's ability to flush water
and toxins out of the system.
• Bitter orange extract
Bitter orange, also known as Bigarade orange or Neroli, is used by various cultures for its medicinal properties in treating a large variety of health disorders. Bitter orange teas and extracts are used by people with gastrointestinal disorders, insomnia, headaches and obesity. Bitter orange contains several chemical compounds believed to stimulate metabolic rate, which may increase calorie burning and lipolysis in the body. The extract is also rich in hesperetin, which is considered helpful in lowering cholestrol.
Products for men
It is only recently that personal care products promoting slimming and fighting fat deposition were developed and marketed for men. French-based Soliance, for example, has developed a product called Abdoliance Slimming Active for Men. It contains active ingredients and specifically extracts of bitter orange and guarana. The product prevents the preferential deposition of fat in the abdominal area of men. Abdoliance also enhances the lipolysis by modulating key enzymes involved in the mechanism.
Another French company Sederma, a subsidiary of the Croda International Group, offers UNISLIM, a hydroglycolic solution that combines an extract of coffee Arabica seeds and an extract of Ilex Paraguariensis leaves. The product speeds up the depletion of lipids and blocks their entry into adipocytes by cholesterol biomimetic action. It is used in slimming and body contouring products for adults.
The Provital Group, which is based in Spain, offers the Provalen Aesculus HSC. It is a blood flow activator with a tonic and antiinflammatory effect. It is anti-couperosis and anti-cellulite, and is used in men's care and sun care products.
Conclusion
There is a growing consumption of active ingredients in the personal care market. Manufacturers are constantly looking for new growth opportunities by offering innovative products. Previously untapped markets such as the personal care products focusing on slimming and tackling fat deposition on men are set to show a healthy growth.
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