Merck partners with Agrimer on marine-derived dermocosmetic active ingredient
The on-going working relationship has already produce the first marine active ingredient from a new genetically decoded species of algae through the use of biotechnology.
Called RonaCare RenouMer the line has been specifically designed to maintain the skin’s firmness and support collagen development, making it an ideal ingredient for firming and anti-aging products.
Developed from red algae
The ingredient has been developed off the back of cytoplasm from the red algae Polysiphonia elongate, which was discovered by a team of researchers off the French Atlantic coast of Brittany.
Because the algae is completely exposed to the sun when it is in the water, it has evolved with some interesting survival strategies that stem from the cytoplasmic components of its cytoplasm.
The properties of these components have been proven to be beneficial to human cells in both in vitro and in vivo testing, helping to support collagen formation, ultimately helping to make the skin both thicker and smother, while serving to retain skin moisture and improving elasticity.
Tapping into marine naturals and anti-ageing
The development of the ingredient taps into consumers’ dual concerns over improving skin firmness and reducing the appearance of wrinkles, while also tapping into big interest in nature-derived ingredients.
Further to this, the development of the ingredient also taps into a keen interest in marine-derived ingredients, with biotech algae-derived ingredients in particular proving to be highly popular because they can also tap into the need to make sustainable formulations.
“This active ingredient made from the cytoplasm of algae with its natural mechanism of action ideally complements our dermocosmetics portfolio,” said Karl-Christian Gallert, head of the Cosmetics business at Merck.
