Skin health round-up: ‘Bio-optimised collagen’, coix seed for skin infection, clean-label skin lightening

Processed foods including pickles linked to higher risk of eczema in adults – China study ​

The frequent consumption of processed foods leads to an increased risk for atopic dermatitis, according to a study conducted on adults living in China.​

Atopic dermatitis (AD), widely known as eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects 2 to 17% across adult populations worldwide.

The risk factors for adult AD are complex. Some studies have reported a Mediterranean diet and fermented milk products may offer protective factors for eczema, while others have suggested that a high intake of refined grains, red meat, cured food commonly referred to as a Western diet, may increase risk of AD and inflammation.

Collagen innovation: Singapore firm launches ‘bio-optimised’ shots and targets practitioner sales

A Singapore company has launched a bio-optimised marine collagen targeting medical aesthetic and general practitioner clinics as distribution channels.

The collagen is described as ‘bio-optimised’ as the peptides are said to be hydrolysed to the optimal length that can be readily absorbed by the body.

Known as Skinergy Collagen Shot,​ the product, which comes in a peach-flavoured liquid sachet, contains 5,000mg of collagen per stick.

Intake of coix seed increases certain immune cells, offers clues to skin infection treatments

Consuming coix seed was shown to increase​ the abundance of certain immune cells such as ‘killer T’ and ‘helper T’ in healthy adults, offering clues to its mechanism in skin infection.

Coix seed intake also led to an increase of the intestinal Faecalibacterium​, an abundant human gut microbe in healthy individuals.

In Japan, coix seed is used to treat viral infections of the skin such as warts.

Beyond lightening: China start-up Ortu launches clean label skin supplement line ‘for all’

A new start-up from China, Ortu, has released a clean label skin health supplement on Tmall said to cater to all genders, ages and skin colours, and eschewing the traditional lightening claims.

This supplement is a skin hydration product containing only three ingredients, hyaluronic acid, inulin as a prebiotic, and coconut milk powder or blueberry concentrate as flavouring.

According to Sunny Zhang, Ortu’s founder​, there are many hyaluronic acid products available in the China market. However, these brands typically target young females who want to lose weight or have a lighter skin tone.

Korea removes spirulina’s skin health claim, adds caution statement to nine raw materials

South Korean regulator the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) is removing spirulina’s skin health functional claim​ and has also changed the requirements of eight other raw materials.

The authority said spirulina could not make functional claims related to skin health as there was a lack of human clinical data.

The MFDS conducted a re-evaluation of raw materials that have been accredited as functional health food raw material a decade ago.