P.L.Thomas focuses on edible cosmetics with new ingredient

18-Mar-2009 - Last updated on 18-Mar-2009 at 18:12 GMT

P.L.Thomas’ launch of an ingestible ingredient designed for people with itchy or flaky skin is part of the botanical company’s larger focus on beauty from within.

SkinGestPSOR is a new addition to the company’s portfolio and it promises to support immune functions in order to maintain healthy skin.

The ingredient is a protein filtrate from sweet whey and is marketed as a natural health product to be used as an oral support of mild-to-moderate skin irritations.

Clinical studies on the supplement investigated its effect on psoriasis, although P.L.Thomas is clear that it is not intended to replace physician-prescribed treatments.

According to the company, at day 56 of the trials there was an improvement of 25 percent in the PASI scores (Psoriasis area severity scores) in 38 percent of patients and a 25 percent or more decrease in the itching sensations in 31 percent of the patients.

Cosmetic companies looking to get into supplements for skin health are the target for the ingredient, P.L.Thomas’ head of cosmeceuticals Alda Brandao told CosmeticsDesign.

“The studies were done taking the product orally, so we are targeting supplement companies and also the more innovative cosmetic companies looking into the idea of oral cosmetics,” Brandao said.

‘Cosmetics so natural you can eat them’

For Brandao, edible beauty is becoming an increasingly important market which she will continue to promote.

“I have been realizing for the past two years that the cosmetic companies are starting to look at this possibility and I have been putting a lot of energy in promoting this concept.

“There is a lot to be explored in this area but I firmly believe in it and I will continue to promote my own motto: ‘cosmetics so natural you can eat them’,” she added.

Market research company Euromonitor stated earlier in the year that the beauty from within trend was set to hit the big time, despite the high profile removal of Danone’s beauty yoghurt Essensis from French shelves.

Euromonitor analyst Ewa Hudson predicted that sun protection products are likely to become more mainstream, and male hair recovery and anti-cellulite supplements may be areas of growth.