Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is a naturally occurring substance found in plant and animals cells. When applied to the skin, DHA reacts with peptides and amino acids in the horny layer to generate a brown polymer called melanoidin. Groups of these melanoidins produce a safe, natural looking tan without the need for damaging sun or UV exposure.

Here at CoValence, we use a 100% all-natural DHA that is produced using a Gluten and GMO-free fermentation process. Our safe and eco-friendly self-tanning products can give your skin that sun kissed look, sans the skin damage. Speak to your Account Executive today about formulating with all-natural DHA.

Most of you have probably heard of the term “Sharpen the Saw” from the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Stephen R. Covey). If the term is new to you, it is stating that we must always keep improving. If we do not have time to sharpen our saws, because we are too busy sawing trees, we will never be able to do a good job. How many trees have you cut down with a dull saw? When was the last time you sharpened your saw?

CoValence will help you sharpen your saws. We provide industry, ingredient and CoValence information through our weekly blogs and monthly SKINsider. We are also working on a new 2010 initiative which will put more ingredient selling points and industry trends into your hands to help you sell your products!

In addition to receiving our blogs and SKINsider, you can link to more industry magazines on our website. Here are a few excellent resources that we find to be excellent resources:

•  The Beauty Industry Report
•  Cosmetics Design
•  Cosmetic News Weekly 
• Happi Magazine 
• GCI Magazine 
• Women’s Wear Daily
•  The Wall Street Journal
•  Skin Inc.

 2010 is the time to step away from the trees and start sharpening your saw! CoValence is here to help!

Phycocyanin: A Novel Cosmetic Ingredient from Algae

Algae are photosynthetic organisms with a total of 2,530,000 species. Algae can be found with a diversity of forms and sizes, that can exist from unicellular microscopic organisms (microalgae) to multicellular of great size (macroalgae). Blue-green algae, also known as Cyanobacteria, are a very interesting natural source of new compounds with biological activity that could be successfully used as functional cosmetic ingredients. Blue-green algae are present in almost all aquatic ecosystems, including creeks, rivers, lakes and wetlands. It is the Phycocyanin Photosynthetic Pigment that gives Cyanobacteria their bluish color and the name “blue-green algae”. The antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antimicrobial and radical scavenging activities of Phycocyanin from different Cyanobacteria are well documented, but they are rarely utilized.

Many adverse skin symptoms are accompanied or even caused by oxidative stress that is characterized by excessive formation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) that cannot be counteracted by the antioxidant defense systems of the human body. Therefore the therapeutic application of natural Phycocyanin with strong antioxidant activity will be more useful to keep the skin healthy and young. Among the antioxidative agents Phycocyanin appears to be promising. It exerts also anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and hepatoprotective effects, which are closely connected with its antioxidative activity.

Antioxidative Properties of Phycocyanin Demonstrated by In Vitro Studies

Lipid peroxidation mediated by ROS is believed to be an important cause of destruction and damage to cell membranes, because a simple initiating event can result in the conversion of hundreds of fatty acids side chain into lipid peroxides, which alters the structural integrity and biochemical functions of membranes, which causes premature aging symptoms and wrinkles. Dr. Remirez and coworkers from Ozone Research Center, Cuba showed that Phycocyanin significantly inhibits the increase in lipid peroxides and protect the cell membrane damage. The researchers from McGill University, Canada (Jensen et al. 2001) found that the whole Cyanobacteria are suggested to stimulate the human immune system and possess antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-cancer, cholesterol- lowering effects and human cells growth enhancement mainly because of their Phycocyanin content in the cell.

We are always interested at CoValence in exploring the potential natural green ingredients in our cosmetic products knowing that if we have the best ingredients, so will our clients. The Phycocyanin pigment from the blue-green algae is a recent addition to our green cosmetic ingredient list.

Around the Water Cooler

Here are some quick summaries from important articles that we have recently read. You may find them interesting topics to discuss around the water cooler or in your next company meeting.

American Trends: The Year Ahead (by Andrea Nagel; from WWD Special Report Issue 01.29.10)

A key strategy in 2010 is toward “increased brand diversity” and “companies shifting their category focus.”

(*) How can CoValence help you with this strategy? We have over 3000 professional, OTC and retail skincare/personal care formulas that can be quickly blended to fit all of your strategies. Our clients sell in the professional market, high end department stores, beauty specialty stores, infomercials, on-line, etc. We can quickly help you switch gears if you want to try your hand at different distribution channels.

Injectable Procedures Up in 2009 (from Skin Inc.; posted 02.01.10)

Facial “injectable procedures appear to have experienced a boost during the 4^th quarter of 2009.”

(*) Do you have a product that is marketed as a complement to a facial injection procedure? If not, consider adding a new skincare product into your line up or simply ask CoValence to help you enhance any of your current products. A post-injection skincare product is a perfect opportunity to increase sales since injection procedures are increasing and individuals want to improve upon the injection results – thus getting more mileage out of the procedure.

2010 CoValence Innovations

As most of you know, CoValence has been manufacturing unique ingredient concept products since 1989.  Including the introduction of the concept of Chirality in skincare manufacturing, in the mid-90’s.  We are very interested in sophisticated, “mechanism of action” ingredients.  So, it is our pleasure to give you a glimpse of some of what we are working on for 2010:

• Mitoprotect^TM 2: CoValence Laboratories developed the Mitoprotect^TM technology with encapsulated ingredients to nourish and stimulate the mitochondrial support enzymes.  Mitoprotect™ 2 will be introduced soon. 
•  Plant Stem Cell (new – not on the market) technology for enhanced function of human stem cells via plant stem cell active components. 
• Enhanced Spin Trap technology  formulated as a superior anti-ROS/DNA protective complex
• Endothelin Antagonists for high efficiency skin lightening in human skin
• Enhanced Sirtuin complexes

Natural Fragrance

Fragrances are typically composed of synthetic chemical isolates, essential oils and other aroma compounds. Some of those chemical isolates used by the fragrance industry were synthesized to cut costs, but were originally inspired by ones found in nature, i.e. Eugenol; which is found in clove, cinnamon and bay essential oils

A natural fragrance uses chemical isolates extracted directly from a natural, botanical source, thus eliminating the presence of synthetically derived chemicals and solvents. The main benefit of using this method is that the finished blend is considered natural. However, an additional benefit is that the perfumer has the ability to create a dramatically more complex and richer blend without the restrictions associated with blending solely with essential oils. 

What’s OLD is now NEW

 
CoValence started selling our Anti-A.G.E. complex back in the 1990’s. The Anti-A.G.E. complex was designed to fight against “Advanced Glycation End-products”. Yet, why is there an article in BlogBeyondBeauty.com titled “Glycation, the new word in the anti-age fight“? Our struggle with the article (new product introduction) is not with the idea of fighting glycation… we simply question the term “new magic word“. Maybe the title should have been, “Don’t forget about Glycation“! 

You may be wondering how CoValence could customize a product for you with an Anti-A.G.E. complex? Simple. An Anti-A.G.E. complex typically slips into most products without changing the texture, scent or color. Contact your Account Executive if you would like to enhance your products with an Anti-A.G.E complex of your own.

In the meantime – When was the last time you took a look at the Products Page on our website? If it has been more than a month, you may have missed a new entry, or two. New products are added monthly!

One of the main objectives CoValence had in establishing our own Regulatory Department in 2007 was to help our clients succeed in exporting to countries around the world. The biggest obstacle for many of our clients has been adapting their products to meet the EU requirements, which has established many of the industry standards in cosmetic regulations.

Over the past few years many of our clients have endured a number of changes so their products can be sold in the EU. Naturally we were curious to see what changes were in store when they announced the Recast of the Cosmetic Legislation last November. The official statement as to the goal of the recast states:

“This regulation aims at simplifying procedures and streamlining terminology, thereby reducing administrative burden and ambiguities. Moreover, it strengthens certain elements of the regulatory framework for cosmetics, such as in-market control, with a view to ensuring a high level of protection of human health. It simplifies the rules and procedures for the marketing and safety of cosmetics.”

What does this mean to you, our clients? In most cases the changes will be unnoticeable from your product standpoint. Here are some of the key changes you should be aware of in the recast of the legislation:

Strengthening In-Market Control: It creates a single notification system that will replace various national procedures – this will simplify your registrations. It also adds market surveillance provisions between authorities which will help in overall product safety and responsibility.

Common Criteria for Product Claims: Only the real effect of a product can be mentioned on a label – it should be noted this is a work in process.

Strict Treatment of CMR Substances:  Basically a stronger enforcement of prohibited substances for cosmetics.

Nanomaterials:  They are introducing strict measures for products with Nanomaterials that will include a compulsory notification, assessment and labeling of any product that has Nanomaterials present. This controversial issue is sure to be debated during the coming years.

These are just the main points, obviously there is much more to the text. If you have any questions on this or any other regulatory issue please bring it to our attention.

There has been a lot of buzz around resveratrol lately.  In fact, Arch Personal Care received the 2009 BSB Innovation Prize  in the ‘naturals’ categoryfor their Metabiotics™ Resveratrol . 

Resveratrol is a polyphenolic antioxidant and phytoalexin commonly found in red grapes and wine that CoValence has formulated with for years. Our resveratrol is a stable form derived from Giant Knotweed (Polygonum Cuspidatum) which is the richest natural source of resveratrol available.  It is commonly known that resveratrol has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, helping protect skin from UV damage, but the buzz around resveratrol these days is that resveratrol acts as an activator of Sirtuins, increasing cellular life.

Ask today how you can incorporate Resveratrol into your next development project.

INCI – Polygonum Cuspidatum (Giant Knotweed) Extract

Resveratrol can be found in the Vault’s Night Cream (VLT0.5004G). Contact your Account Executive for more information on Resveratrol and the Night Cream.

CoValence wants to make sure you get your daily serving of Fruits and Vegetables – so we bring you three new masks based on fruit and vegetable purees: Papango Mask, Carrot Smoothie and the Pome Firming Peel.

Papango Mask VLT0.3002 - a delectable blend of mango and papaya fruit purees with enzymes and encapsulated salicylic beads to gently exfoliate skin.

Carrot Smoothie VLT0.3001 – nourishes skin with a carrot puree base combined with pumpkin and tomato extracts, beta-carotene, sea buckthorn and lactic acid.

Pome Firming Peel VLT0.3000 – firms, brightens and exfoliates the skin with a AHA/BHA blend, arbutin and oat extract in a creamy rich pomegranate puree base.

Please contact your Account Executive for minimums and pricing.

February 18, 2010 

Interested in Selling Your Cosmetics Products in Canada?

Join the U.S. Commercial Service in Canada’s Cosmetics Virtual Exhibition for U.S. cosmetics companies from January 19 to February 18, 2010!  This event is a unique opportunity for U.S. companies to gain market exposure in Canada, promote your products to Canadian distributors, and learn about how to get your products to market in Canada and Quebec.

How to Sell Your Products in Canada On-line Seminar (February 18)

• Canadian Cosmetics Regulations You Need to Know About
• Canadian Border Services Agency Services for U.S. Cosmetics Exporters
• Selling and Distributing Your Products in Quebec

Virtual Exhibition (January 19- February 18)

• Feature your products on our website – We will advertise your company to all Canadian cosmetics and skin care agents/distributors
• Receive a customized reports with sales leads generated

Registration deadline:  January 15, 2010

Participation Fee:  $475

Click here to register.

Register today and expand your sales to Canada!

Contact your Account Executive before January 31st, 2010 to take advantage of this great deal!


*Excludes Peptide-99 Serum, Spin Eye and Soap Bars

Holiday Closures

CoValence will be closed the following days in observance of the holidays:
December 24
December 25
December 31
January 1, 2010

Our office will be open abbreviated hours from 7am to 4pm on the following days:
December 21-23, 28-30

CoValence Cares

CoValence employees participated in several donation drives this holiday season with great success!

Each year an angel tree is set up to benefit orphans, homeless children, migrant children, troubled youth, children in abuse shelters or whose parents are incarcerated, foster children and other underprivileged kids. The program was started by a realtor in the North Valley and has trees up in Walmarts around Arizona. CoValence employees placed toys and clothes under the tree to give more than 60 kids a memorable Christmas.

Over 600 pieces of non-perishable food were collected and donated to the Saint Matthews Food Bank – Matthew’s Crossing. Matthew’s Crossing offers assistance to families in need in the East Valley and feeds over 3,000 people each month.

We had great success with our Pet Food and Supply drive. CoValence donated towels, blankets, beds, food and office supplies to the East Valley Animal Shelter. The staff at the shelter was most appreciative and excited to receive office supplies, bleach and bottled water, items usually overlooked when donating to a Pet Drive.

Thanks CoValence employees for your generosity!

Marketing Opportunities

Would you like your products included in the gift bags at events like the 2010 Academy Awards Style Lounge as well as the upcoming Emmy Awards Style Lounge and NFL Super Bowl exclusive players event?

“Secret Room Events offers the most exclusive celebrity and media exposure for your company, producing events for major awards shows for you to display your products and services within reach of nominees, presenters, celebrities, stylists, media and press. Partner with Secret Room Events, exclusive brand-marketing and promotional event producers and you can participate in highly recognized events.”

Don’t delay, request your proposal and pricing today. Special branding packages are also available. Space is extremely limited. Email secretroomevents@yahoo.com for more info.

This last year, our industry divided like never before between the natural, organic movement  and science-driven technologies with buzz words like, mitochondria, telomeres and stem cells.  As 2009 comes to an end, we bring you the top 10 hottest ingredients or trends of 2009.

10. Zemea® (Propanediol) made headlines from cosmetic industry magazines to beauty magazines this year as a corn-derived alternative to Propylene Glycol. Then it went on to receive the much coveted ECOCERT seal.

9. Resveratrol has been around for years as a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, but in 2009 got new buzz as an activator of sirtuins, increasing cell life.

8. Japanese Honeysuckle as a broad spectrum preservative. C’mon, how many preservatives sound this pretty?

7. With HQ’s future still hanging in the balance, Nonapeptide-1 came on the scene as the first peptide that lightens skin and prevents further hyperpigmentation. We welcome all brigheners!

6. Superfruits. Why do we have to pick one? They have been around for a few years now but are not losing steam. Acai and blueberry and cranberry, Oh my! Camu camu and goji and mangosteen, Galore!

5. Perflurocarbons found their way into mainstream skin care from their medical beginnings as liquid blood (yes, that’s right, liquid blood) to combat wrinkles and offer an alternative to Botox.

4. With the 2009 Nobel Prize of Physiology being awarded for telomere research, Renovage™ (Teprenone) has to make the list for stabilizing telomere shortening and increasing cell life by 1/3.

3. Eyelash Lengthening became one of the hottest topics after the prescription Latisse® hit the market.  Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17 was developed as a non-prescription alternative, promising 25% increase in lash length and volume within two weeks.

2. Organic. This was the year that launched 1000 organic brands! We have yet to get a clear and legal definition what that means…….

1.  Apple Stem Cells, by far, made the most headlines in 2009, and we understand why! Cutting edge technology isolated and cultured a rare apple’s stem cells that stimulate our own skin’s stem cells combating aging and wrinkles. Very, very futuristic.