Minerals Matter
The wellness movement was going strong before COVID-19, representing a $3.7 billion global market, with $1 billion directly attributed to beauty and anti-aging. But now that COVID-19 is here to stay for the foreseeable future, wellness has really secured its place in the personal care industry, with consumers having an increased focus on their health and wellness moving forward. Consumers are trying to live healthier lifestyles and see skincare as a part of that effort.
Minerals are the New Vitamins
Consumers are aware that vitamins play a crucial role in the health of our bodies and our skin. And with the global pandemic, they are reemerging as a key skincare ingredient, and minerals are close on their heels! Minerals are not a new story, but they too play a key role in maintaining skin health and function, fitting perfectly into the broader wellness movement that’s so prevalent in skincare today. According to K-Beauty brand, Glow Recipe, “supplements and adaptogens have become a massive part of wellness routines in the past few years, and we all know how beneficial they can be to the skincare and overall health. While the topical effects of some minerals like zinc and sulfur have been well known, in 2020, you can expect to see a lot more minerals in skincare,” including two of their favorites: magnesium and selenium. (1)
From Food to Beauty
Wellness trends in beauty tend to originate in the food industry, as many consumers believe that if an ingredient is nutritious and beneficial for skin and overall health when ingested, the same should hold true when applied topically. Minerals have fallen into this food-to-beauty cycle, as they’ve been linked to the energy drink. After you run for miles, or take an intense fitness class, or have a wild night out on the town, you tend to reach for a sports drink like Gatorade. Why is that? Sports drinks are filled with electrolytes, which are minerals like sodium, potassium, and chloride which will help retain water in your system to keep you hydrated… and hopefully prevent you from having a monstrous hangover! This concept of mineral hydration has made electrolyte-infused skincare the next big thing in beauty. Minerals including sodium, calcium, potassium, zinc, and magnesium can boost standard moisturizers by working with skin cells to generate energy and regulate the complexion’s water levels. (2)
I Get This Feeling, I Need Mineral Healing
Mineral sources are also gaining relevance as consumers are in need of de-stressing during these mentally, emotionally, and spiritually draining COVID times. According to Cosmetics Design, “social isolation and distancing are also leading to the need of more “me-time” and self-care…skincare solutions, spa-like moments and beauty salon breaks at home will be essential for consumers.” (3) This has led to crystal concepts in skincare, as beauty brands play on the spiritual and healing imagery of crystals and gemstones.
Mineral Matters
Gattefossé looked to minerals and capitalized on our expertise in extraction techniques to develop an active product line called Mineral Matters: liquid extracts of semi-precious stones. Each one is rich in a particular trace element and therefore brings activity to the skin. Take a look at our five mineral extracts which will satisfy the consumers’ attraction to familiar mineral nutrients and their desire for holistic healing.
Mala’Kîte™
Copper, a mineral that participates in the synthesis of keratin and increases the amount of collagen and elastin produced by fibroblasts, can be found in Mala’Kîte™, our extract of the malachite stone. Mala’Kîte™ stimulates the skin’s natural antioxidant pool and protects against oxidative stress, as demonstrated by its superoxide anion quenching activity.
Hema’Tîte™
Hema’Tîte™ is an extract of the hematite stone, rich in iron, a mineral known to impact the cellular respiratory chain, free-radical elimination, and collagen synthesis. This active ingredient not only stimulates collagen synthesis, but it increases the thickness of the epidermis with retinol-like action, restoring the mechanical properties of the skin and filling out wrinkles.
Oli’Vîne™
Oli’Vîne™ is our energizing magnesium complex. Magnesium is necessary for the production of ATP, involved in energetic and anti-stress mechanisms. Derived from the peridot stone, Oli’Vîne™ boosts cellular energy and oxygen consumptions in both keratinocytes and fibroblasts.
Rhodo’Lîte™
Rhodo’Lîte™, derived from the rhodochrosite stone, protects fibroblasts against UVA, stimulates natural cell defenses, and provides deep skin protection. These mechanisms can be attributed to manganese, which takes part in collagen synthesis and wound-healing, in association with copper. Rhodo’Lîte™ has a dose-dependent cytoprotective effect against UVA, maintaining higher levels of viable cells.
Zin’Cîte™
And lastly is Zin’Cîte™, an extract rich in zinc, derived from the Smithsonite stone. Zinc plays a role in maintaining a healthy skin condition and is essential for the activity of more than 200 enzymes in the body. Zin’Cîte™ protects cell DNA from UVB and has anti-glycation properties. Zin’Cîte™ has the proven ability to induce the synthesis of key proteins that help prevent DNA damage so that skin cells are better protected against environmental stress.
1 https://www.koreaproductpost.com/6-skincare-trend-predictions-for-2020-by-glow-recipe-co-founders/
2 https://www.cosmeticsbusiness.com/news/article_page/How_brands_are_making_a_splash_in_the_electrolyte_skin_care_trend/161822
3 https://www.cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/Article/2020/04/13/Decoding-COVID-19-impact-Colour-cosmetics-to-slow-personal-hygiene-and-skin-care-to-soar