New delivery technology enables Linnea to launch unique botanical ingredients portfolio

24-May-2017 - Last updated on 25-May-2017 at 14:59 GMT

Related tags Botanical extracts Skin Pharmacology

Switzerland-based pharma solutions provider Linnea is targeting cosmetics and personal care thanks to new delivery technology that brings its botanical extracts to the skin care category for the first time.

The company has traditionally served the pharmaceutical and dietary supplements market, but now it wants to bring its technologically advanced drug delivery system in the cosmetics and personal care arena.

Its niosome drug delivery incorporates non-ionic surfactant vesicles that provide enhanced delivery of drug formulations at a microscopic level.

Portfolio of six botanical extracts

Now that this delivery technology has been combined with the NioSkin brand portfolio, it has led to a newly launched collection of six different botanical extracts all targeting different areas of skin care for the cosmetics and personal care market.

The range was unveiled at in-cosmetics Global in London, back in April, but the company is also targeting the North America market, having recently demonstrated at the NYSCC Suppliers Day, held in New York City at the beginning of this month.

The range includes RCL40 red clover extract, HMRlignan derived from Norwegian Spruce, Bilberry, Kyuri (a type of cucumber), Gingko, and latterly MedCan, which is derived from Cannabis and is about to undergo the clinical trials.

Getting Linnea on the cosmetics map

“In the US we are very strong in the nutraceuticals side of the business, but now we have just got in to the cosmetics side of the business, which is why we have recently partnered with Actives International to promote the brand in this market,” said Tom McMahon, sales manager for Linnea’s North America operations.

“We have a unique technology that combines the noisome delivery system to ensure our botanical extracts that form the NyoSkin range reach the epidermis of the skin’s extracellular matrix. And it’s a flexible system so we can combine this with our botanicals already in our range to provide a wide range of choice.”

McMahon went on to explain that the botanical range took about a year to develop in conjunction with the niosome delivery system and after significant clinical trials that showed strong results it was finally ready for the market at the beginning of this year.

Clinical trials back up efficacy claims

“The clinical trials showed some very interesting results. With red clover we found that the ingredient can actually help to slow down the aging process of the skin, particularly for wrinkles and age spots, while it’s also good for skin conditions such as rocacea and related rashes,” said McMahon.

“Results from the trials on the other ingredients in the range show that Bilberry was very effective in the treatment of dark circles under the eyes, while the Gingko extract proved to have very strong moisturization properties.”

McMahon went on to explain that previously these botanical extracts had been difficult to combine in cosmetic and personal care formulation, but thanks to the incorporation of the new delivery system, the company is now able to extend the offering to the skin care category.

“This is a pretty unique portfolio of botanical extracts and we are seeing people getting pretty excited about it, particularly as it is all natural and the clinical trials are there to back up our efficacy claims,” McMahon said.