We offer services for development of anti-aging/anti-wrinkle, skin-lightening and anti-acne products, cleansers, moisturizers,deodorants and other cosmetics.
• Selected varieties of herbs for use in cosmetics,with their phytochemical fingerprint.
• Tissue culture propagation of herbs required on large scale.
Screening protocols have been developed for evaluating cosmetic potential of herbal extracts for:
Anti-wrinkle activity: The dermal components of the skin responsible for maintaining its elasticity, firmness and moisture retaining capacity are degraded by the enzymes elastase, collagenase and hyaluronidase, leading to wrinkle formation. Free radicals and other oxidants accelerate this process. Compounds that inhibit the enzymes or act as antioxidants reduce wrinkle formation.
Skin lightening activity : The color of the skin is due to the pigment melanin. Tyrosinase is a key enzyme in melanin formation.
Inhibition of this enzyme results in skin whitening.
UV protection : Extracts that absorb UV rays can be used in skin lightening, anti-wrinkle and sunscreen products.
Deodorant activity : Anti-bacterial activity of the herbal extracts against the odor causing skin microbes.
Phytochemical standardization of herbs with respect to their active ingredients using HPTLC, HPLC, GCMS and UV-VIS Spectrophotometry.
Development of stable and aesthetic cosmetic formulations using standardized active ingredients and additives.
There is now increasing pressure on manufacturers of cosmetics to eliminate the use of animals for safety testing. In vitro testing using cell cultures is the preferred alternative. The laboratory provides facilities for safety testing using cell cultures.
Evaluation of skin care products using modern instrumental methods for quantitative measurement of skin parameters:
Anti-wrinkle : The depth and number of wrinkles on the skin, and elasticity of the skin.
Skin whitening : Melanin index.
Moisturizing : Trans-epidermal water loss.
Cleansing : Sebum content.
