Neurocosmetics: the science
Harnessing our skin-brain connection for a clean, fast beauty solution. Let’s face it: today’s beauty market is overwhelming.
Between Natural and Ayurvedic remedies that take weeks to work and chemical products with quick results but dirty ingredients, it feels almost impossible to find a clean, fast, and effective beauty solution. So what if cosmetic products could positively affect the health of our skin, body… and mind?
Meet neurocosmetics: clean products on the cutting edge of skin science that interact with our skin mediators to make us look and feel good – fast.
Mood Elevator
Our skin is a living, breathing organism. Its barrier is made up of lipids, protective substances, and our microbiome. With 800,000 neurons and 200 receptors per square centimeter, it’s also the recipient of sensory information that passes through our cutaneous nerve fibers to reach our brain.
Ingredients
We already know that our skin includes our skin microbiome: a diverse ecosystem of microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
The ingredients in neurocosmetics help keep our skin microbiome balanced and healthy, which helps our skin microbiome keep the rest of our body healthy too. Let's take a closer look at some of these ingredients and how they work.
Meet pre-, pro-, and post-biotics, three neurocosmetics ingredients that happen to naturally live on our skin.
Pro-biotics, pre-biotics, post-biotics.
Pro-biotics
Probiotics regulate our skin’s balance of good and bad bacteria.
Pre-biotics
Pre-biotics provide the nutrients that feed probiotics.
Post-biotics
Post-biotics are metabolic byproducts of probiotics with transverse functions like immunity.
Understanding Biochemicals: Beta Endorphins
In addition to biotics, biochemicals are a key ingredient in neurocosmetics. They might sound foreign, but our bodies are full of them. Simply put, they’re the compounds that make up living things. Like biotics, they are already a part of our natural makeup.
Biochemicals come in many forms, but the type we’re concerned with is called the beta endorphin: a class of neurotransmitter that forms the basis of brain-skin communication in our bodies. Beta endorphins are produced by the body and bind to receptors in various parts of the nervous system to block pain, relieve stress, and unlock rewarding sensations.
Understanding Neuropeptides
Neuropeptides have a slower but stronger effect compared to other neurotransmitters. They are produced by the body and bind to receptors that regulate cell renewal and inflammation, stimulating the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid. In the process, they improve the functionality of other neurotransmitters, allowing our brain to react to stimuli faster.
Biocompatibility
Our skin microbiome needs an acidic environment (defined as a pH level under 7.0) to flourish. Our products are biocompatible, which means they match our skin’s natural pH level of 5.5, enhance its biological process, and benefit its overall health.
Most regular skincare products aren’t biocompatible because they swap biochemicals for sulfates, alcohols, and parabens. These ingredients might give the illusion of quick results, but they destroy the natural bacterial protection provided by our skin to make room for acne, rosacea, eczema, and signs of aging.
By using the power of biochemicals, we combine the best of both worlds: clean ingredients that actually work, and do it fast.
