The patent for ‘Skin Clear Biome’ covers three claims linked to the appearance and condition of the skin based on emerging research into the gut-skin connection. The formula includes specific strains of bacteria and yeast; Bifidobacterium Bifidum, Lactobacillus Helveticus, Saccharomyces Boulardii (a yeast found in previous research to be beneficial for skin health) and zinc to contribute to the maintenance of normal hair, nails and skin.
The London based-brand, which hosts an in-house research center and markets a catalog of more than 15 products, has been on a mission to develop evidence-based oral skincare supplements since its launch in 2006, Lorraine Perretta, head of nutrition, told NutraIngredients.
“We’ve always aimed to be at the forefront of development and research,” she said. “So when the microbiome was just starting to be discussed, I knew we had to dig into the research for skin health.”
Perretta explained that she started attending conferences and events on the microbiome when it began to gain attention in 2014. While other product developers in the industry were looking at biotics for sports nutrition, fertility and digestion, she decided that there was an opportunity for skin health.
“It was very early on in the microbiome conversation, but I said to the team I think there’s something in it, so that’s when we started looking at the different strains of bacteria and the different actions that they had,” she said.
ANP’s first gut-skin axis product was Youth Skin Biome, launched in 2019 after five years of development.
“We never do anything quickly,” Perretta said. “It has to be done properly.”
The product has now been reformulated to include a blend of probiotics and postbiotics, comprising Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG, Pediococcus Acidilactici HA-524, Pediococcus Acidilactici HA-524, Bifidobacterium Longum Rosell-175, Lactobacillus Reuteri HA-188, Lactobacillus Acidophilus HA-122, Lactobacillus Plantarum HA-119 and vitamin C. It is currently patent pending.
The company then launched the newly patented Skin Clear Biome in 2021, an all-in-one supplement to support gut health, balance skin and address stress-induced skin problems.
Skin-kits
Perretta explained that not only has ANP been at the forefront of gut-skin product launches, it has been “ahead of the curve” with other trends too, in particular, catering to the rising interest in skincare routines, with skincare ‘toolboxes’ beginning to emerge as a trend.
ANP was early to explore the concept of offering a comprehensive routine in supplement form, launching Skin Ultimate in September 2017. The full “rejuvenating five-capsule facial in a pod” is a 28-day supplement routine designed to protect the skin from within to help reduce the signs of premature aging.
It includes astaxanthin from the freshwater algae Haematococcus pluvialis, biotin to contribute to the maintenance of normal skin and hair, CoQ10 for cell energy and repair, omega-3 fatty acids from Epax, omega-6 from evening primrose oil and vitamin A for cell health.
An in-house, 12-week research project conducted on 30 women between the ages of 40 and 59 with aging skin reported that Skin Ultimate led to improvements in elasticity after as little as as four weeks of once-daily.
The brand also offers a Skin Complete pack, which brings together two one-a-day supplements designed to act as “the first step in your skincare regime”.
Skin Vit A+ contains vitamin A and vitamin D, and Skin Antioxidant contains extracts of green tea, grapeseed, turmeric root, bilberry fruit, betacarotene, lutein and lycopene to improve hydration andreduce visible wrinkles in the eye contour area.
The newest addition to its portfolio, Skin Moisture IQ, announced in February, includes ceramides from lipowheat oil, hyaluronic acid to keep the structure of the skin firm and plump, omega-3, vitamin A and co-factors designed to work in harmony with other nutrients to “help catalyze essential reactions in the body and the skin”.
Product popularity
The gut-skin axis is a growing area for consumer interest and understanding, but product popularity lies in the convenience and novelty of the skin-kits, Perretta said.
The skin kits are designed to include all capsules for a day in one blister pack, making it easier for people to travel with the product.
“Consumers respond very favorably to the kits because they can go about their busy lives or go on holiday and take just what they need with them,” Perretta explained. “People don’t want to take several bottles of supplements around with them, and when that happens, they stop taking them.”
She noted that consistency is key, and the design that allows consumers to keep up their routine ultimately allows them to see results and become repeat customers.