Beauty & the feast

Feeding your face is potentially big business, although estimates of market size vary dramatically. But most sources agree that cosmeceuticals are experiencing double-digit growth. Packed with vitamins, Co-enzyme Q10, hyaluronic acid, ceramide, collagen and a host of botanicals, 'beauty from within' ingredients are therefore taking centre stage at Vitafoods.

One exhibitor keen to get a slice of the action is Israeli firm Algatechnologies, which will introduce a new line of products containing astaxanthin, a potent antioxidant targeting skin and eye health.

Fenchem, meanwhile, is showcasing a wide range of ingredients including HyaMax (sodium hyaluronate); Nutra-Red (lycopene); LuMarin (lutein from marigolds) and Grapurit (grape seed extract) and Liveflax flax lignan. Hyamax acts as a space filler in the layers between skin cells and helps boost skin elasticity, claims the company. Nutra-Red and LuMarin protect skin from sun damage, while Grapurit increases skin hydration and protects skin from free-radical mediated inflammation.

Other firms hoping to increase their presence in the beauty-from-within market include Rousselot, which will be promoting collagen for smooth and glossy skin, Plantextrakt, which will be plugging green tea and roobois extracts, and LycoRed, which will highlight Lyc-O-Mato, which helps protect skin against damaging UV-induced free radicals. Lyc-O-Mato is also claimed to increase skin density, thickness and smoothness.

Cognis has a range of beautifying ingredients from vitamin E, mixed tocopherols, mixed carotenoids and lutein esters, while Kemin will be promoting FloraGLO lutein, a purified lutein associated with healthy eyes and skin. Sabinsa is also presenting a wide range of phytonutrients with beauty-from-within applications.