Sharpen the Saw
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:
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 4th 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:
- MitoprotectTM 2: CoValence Laboratories developed the MitoprotectTM 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.
