Sleep and skin: Kao launching first supplement product under skincare, cosmetic brand est
Known as ‘est Liquid Supplement +’, the product contains GABA and coffee-bean derived chlorogenic acids – an ingredient which the firm has been studying extensively.
“est is one of the brands that the Kao Group is focusing on globally in the cosmetics business. Since the brand was born, we have strengthened it as a brand that proposes products based on Kao’s latest dermatological research.
“Recently, the number of people experiencing trouble sleeping and difficult falling asleep is increasing due to changes in their lifestyles,” the company said, explaining the reason for launching the product.
The pomegranate flavoured product claims to improve sleep quality, skin elasticity, and maintain peripheral body temperature and is recommended to be taken before sleep.
While GABA helps in supporting sleep quality and skin elasticity, coffee-bean derived chlorogenic acids could help to improve blood flow amid a cold weather, the firm explained.
Each 100ml bottle contains 270mg of chlorogenic acids and 100mg of GABA. Other ingredients include low molecular weight collagen at 2,350mg per bottle.
The product will be sold at JPY$5,000 (US$36) for a box of 10 bottles.
The new launch has combined the various functional claims of coffee-bean derived chlorogenic acids claimed by existing Kao’s FFC.
For example, the firm launched a FFC containing the ingredient for cognitive health under the brand Refine in April. The product claims to improve sleep quality and support executive function.
Last year, it launched Sofina iP liquid shot and tablet supplements containing chlorogenic acids as well. Both products claim to improve the skin’s moisture, as well as improving peripheral blood flow affected by cold weather or low temperature.
New research on chlorogenic acids
The supplementation of chlorogenic acids from coffee beans could improve cognitive function, according to a study published by Kao in March.
In the two-week trial, 26 Japanese adults between 50 and 65 years old were randomised to consume a beverage containing 270mg of chlorogenic acids or the placebo daily. This is then proceeded by a two-week washout period.
Writing in Brain Science, the researchers wrote that there has been a significant improvement in psychomotor speed and motor speed in the intervention group.
Psychomotor speed reflects how well an individual perceives, attends, and responds to visual-perceptual information and performs motor speed and fine motor coordination.
It declines with age in a manner similar to language, attention, and executive function. Motor speed, on the other hand, forms a part of psychomotor speed.
Low psychomotor speed in older adults is reportedly related to an increased risk of developing various brain disorders, such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and depressive symptoms.
“Among cognitive domain scores, psychomotor speed and motor speed were significantly increased with CGA (chlorogenic acids) intake compared to the placebo, which is consistent with previous studies of long-term intake,” the researchers said.
However, they also acknowledged that the underlying mechanisms remained unknown and more studies were required to clarify the optimal dose and period.
