Seatons taps into pomegranate to fight signs of ageing

The company sources pink-orange pomegranate fruit for the extract, which is 7-12cm in size and beneath the thick protective skin can be found the edible seeds and flesh.

Each pomegranate fruit contains approximated 800 seeds. The oil from these seeds contains up to 60 per cent punicic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid and a major storage lipid that helps to maintain skin's moisture levels and to prevent signs of wrinkling.

Seatons points out that the polyunsaturated fatty acid contained in the oil extract are key in the research of oestrogen replacement and cancer research. But for cosmetic purposes its role has as an oestrogen replacer also has a secondary function of helping to maintain skin elasticity, which in turns helps to prevent fine lines in mature skin.

The ingredient is also said to contain anti-inflammatory properties which should prove popular in a variety of other skin care formulas, particularly for medicated products.

Other key applications are expected to be massage oils and after sun treatments.

Seatons, which is a division of Croda, is well placed to tap into two key driving forces in the cosmetics and toiletries market at the moment - anti-ageing and the market for natural based products.

The company has been supplying oils to a host of different markets since 1840 and has now established itself as a key global player.