Shiseido recently announced an important research breakthrough, discovering a component called Ectoin that promotes the synthesis of melanin in the skin and enhances skin immunity. This groundbreaking discovery lays the foundation for creating new skincare value focused on skin immune rhythm, aiming to protect customers’ healthy skin and achieve personal beauty and health goals.
Ectoin is a cyclic amino acid found in microorganisms in desert salt lakes. It is a component that maintains cellular stability and protects life even in harsh environments. It is also known for its moisturizing properties on the skin.
According to Shiseido, melanin is a hormone with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that can be synthesized in the brain and skin. The Shiseido research team found that melanin synthesis in the skin increases during the night, and Ectoin promotes the expression of the melanin synthesis enzyme gene. This means that by promoting the synthesis of melanin during the night, we can enhance the skin’s immune function against harmful factors such as ultraviolet rays and reactive oxygen species.
Shiseido’s research focuses on the “immune function of the skin” and believes that Langerhans cells, which control skin immunity, play an important role in maintaining skin homeostasis. They are committed to protecting the skin from stimulation and invasive substances to preserve healthy skin and maintain beauty even in adverse environments.
In the study, Shiseido scientists focused on the daily rhythm of the melanin synthesis enzyme gene. Melanin is synthesized from tryptophan, and its synthesis in the brain is related to sleep quality, with increased synthesis during the night. Shiseido’s research found that the enzymes involved in melanin synthesis are also expressed in the skin. By studying the gene expression rhythm of enzymes involved in melanin synthesis, they discovered that the ASMT gene, responsible for the final synthesis of melanin, is expressed at its highest during the night. Ultimately, they found that tetrahydropyrimidine enhances the expression of the melanin synthesis enzyme gene in skin cells.
By promoting the synthesis of melanin during the night, Shiseido aims to enhance the skin’s immune function against harmful factors such as oxidation and inflammation. This research breakthrough opens up new skincare value for Shiseido and provides essential support for the development of personal beauty and health companies.
