From start to finish, anti-aging has always been a long-term pursuit of beauty enthusiasts. Therefore, anti-aging is a functional skincare product that requires technology support the most among all skincare categories. It takes long-term research to yield results. As a brand specializing in studying the aging of Chinese skin, UNISKIN has spared no effort in guarding Chinese skin with ingenuity.
Recently, the third UNISKIN Chinese Anti-Aging Pioneer Conference in 2024 came to a close in Shanghai. One of the important components of this conference was the “Skin Aging Academic Symposium” jointly organized by the Chinese Association of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery and UNISKIN. At the conference, UNISKIN collaborated with authoritative professors and experts in anti-aging research, focusing on inflammatory aging to find the most suitable scientific skincare solutions for Chinese anti-aging.
It can be said that this symposium is not just a simple academic exchange but also an important guidance for Chinese cosmetics in anti-aging research, providing a clear and profound direction for Chinese anti-aging research and practice. This also signifies that UNISKIN, which has been continuously exploring Chinese anti-aging research, has achieved another major success.
Focusing on Inflammatory Aging, UNISKIN Achieves a Leap in Quality
Anti-aging is not something that comes easily, nor is there a shortcut to success. Established six years ago, by delving into research on Chinese skin types and meeting consumers’ specific skincare needs to the fullest extent, UNISKIN has evolved from a young brand to a prominent force in the anti-aging arena in China. Similarly, by hosting three consecutive anti-aging conferences, UNISKIN highlights its continuous breakthroughs and advancements in the path of anti-aging for the Chinese population.
“In recent years, the industry has placed increasing emphasis on scientific research. However, I believe that science needs to be based on an ecosystem or a community for communication and sustainability. Therefore, UNISKIN hopes to provide a platform for such communication through its own efforts,” said Dr. Du Lebo, the founder of the UNISKIN brand, mentioning the background of organizing the anti-aging conference to the attendees. According to him, the first anti-aging conference introduced the “Human Skin Aging Evaluation Standards” for the first time, the second conference presented the three major aging characteristics and solutions for Chinese skin—”type, color, sensitivity,” and this conference is focusing on research in inflammatory aging.
“This is a technical route that aligns well with the UNISKIN brand philosophy because research on inflammatory aging concerns the body’s health status and its relationship with the environment we live in. As a brand specializing in researching the aging of Chinese skin, our philosophy is that healthy skin comes from a healthy lifestyle and state of being, so this research complements our brand philosophy,” Dr. Du Lebo told CHAILEEDO.
So, how important is research on inflammatory aging to combating aging?
During the conference, Professor Wang Zhao, a member of the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association and the Chinese Society of Gerontology’s Aging and Anti-Aging Scientific Committee, from Tsinghua University, systematically and comprehensively explained the importance of research on inflammatory aging in anti-aging. He stated that as individuals age, inflammatory markers and pro-inflammatory factors continue to increase persistently and systemically. Studies indicate that many age-related diseases have mechanisms that are triggered by chronic inflammation. This chronic inflammation is considered a significant risk factor for the incidence and mortality rates of the elderly.
Professor Wang Zhao pointed out that inflammatory aging is caused by both internal and external factors. Internal factors include cell aging (such as DNA damage induction), changes in the immune system (such as immune dysfunction), epigenetic changes (such as chromatin structure changes), and oxidative stress, while external factors include environmental stimuli, unhealthy lifestyles, psychological stress, among others. Therefore, targeting the clearance of aging cells can promote healthy aging.
Aging is a natural process, and with the passage of time, life tends to decline, seemingly an unchangeable natural law. However, fundamentally understanding the causes of aging can undoubtedly lead to better preventive and anti-aging measures. At the conference, Professor Lyu Yuxuan from the Southern University of Science and Technology also expressed similar viewpoints to Professor Wang Zhao.
“Inflammatory aging is a systemic, chronic, sterile, low-grade inflammatory state that may lead to tissue dysfunction, disease pathology, and adverse disease outcomes. Chronic inflammation related to aging is jointly caused by genetic, epigenetic, and metabolic dysfunctions in different cell types and organs,” he stated at the conference.
According to Professor Lyu Yuxuan, regarding inflammatory aging in the skin, the aging process can cause changes in T-cell balance. This imbalance is partly believed to be due to an increase in regulatory T cells, which weakens the efficiency of CD8+ and natural killer cells. “Current research has found that besides curcumin and green tea extracts reducing inflammatory aging, the drug rapamycin has shown promise in anti-aging interventions,” he further added.
From Researching Ingredients to Setting Standards, UNISKIN Continuously Explores the Anti-Aging Boundaries for Chinese People
In research, one must take one step at a time. However, transitioning from scientific theory to practical implementation also requires enterprises or brands to have innovative qualities to pioneer. In fact, as a brand specializing in researching anti-aging for Chinese people, UNISKIN has always adhered to using research results as the theoretical and scientific foundation to accelerate the commercial application of products and provide scientific solutions for anti-aging for the Chinese population. At this academic conference, UNISKIN also shared the application results of rapeseed extract in skin inflammatory aging.
“UV radiation is the primary killer of skin aging.” Dr. Hu Fan, the head of research and development at UNISKIN, stated at the conference that compared to other areas of the skin, the periorbital region (especially the upper eyelids) is continuously exposed to UV radiation with less protection. Therefore, 87% of women believe that the eyes are the first area to show signs of aging. Additionally, due to the relatively high curvature of the eyes in Chinese individuals, when the upper eyelid droops, as the inclination of the eyes gradually decreases, the aging of the eyes becomes more apparent. Based on this insight, UNISKIN innovatively developed the use of rapeseed extract.
It is understood that this ingredient is derived from the American paulownia tree, also known as the rapeseed tree, and is also known as the tree of life. Its bark is used as a medicine to resist various diseases, and rapeseed extract comes from the bark of the rapeseed tree. According to Dr. Hu Fan, rapeseed has significant skin anti-aging effects, such as protecting the basement membrane, promoting the expression of DEJ-related proteins, and more comprehensive anti-inflammatory and immune-regulating effects. UNISKIN has found that the research ingredient rapeseed plays an important role in protecting the skin from inflammatory aging.
Dr. Hu Fan further stated that photoaging is an inflammatory reaction caused by ROS, ECM degradation, etc., leading to a combination of cell aging and immune aging. “Rapeseed protects skin basal cells from oxidative damage, inhibits the CCL pathway to reduce inflammatory cell skin infiltration and restrict the expansion of Foxp3+ Treg cells through multiple pathways, thereby reducing UV-induced skin inflammation and immune suppression, protecting the skin from the effects of inflammatory aging, improving wrinkles and sagging.”
It is evident that it is relying on such solid foundational research and relentless innovative efforts that UNISKIN has been able to develop excellent products such as Smiling Eye Cream, Peptide Skin Renewal Light Cream, a series that not only aligns with the characteristics of Chinese skin but also effectively addresses skin issues.
It is worth mentioning that following the release of the “Human Skin Aging Evaluation Standards” in 2022, UNISKIN also unveiled the group standard for “Non-invasive Periorbital Anti-Aging Norms” as the hosting unit at this conference. During the event, Professor Zhao Qiming, the director of the Department of Plastic Surgery and Cosmetology at Zhejiang Hospital of Zhejiang University, and the chairman of the Anti-Aging Branch of the Chinese Society of Plastic Surgery and Cosmetology, interpreted the group standard for “Non-invasive Periorbital Anti-Aging Norms.” According to him, this standard includes categories such as periorbital aging phenotype, periorbital aging levels, the application of cosmetic efficacy ingredients in periorbital anti-aging, the application of acousto-optic-electricity in periorbital anti-aging, and the application of national health in periorbital anti-aging.
Professor Zhao Qiming pointed out that research shows that Chinese consumers’ demand for eye creams is continuously increasing, reflecting the demand for cosmetics in non-invasive periorbital anti-aging. Cosmetics, through innovative ingredients and technologies, enhance the health and youthfulness of the skin around the eyes. In his view, “A healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and moderate exercise, alleviating psychological stress, can improve the elasticity and texture of the skin, thereby slowing down the skin aging process, including the periorbital area.”
Three Major Upgrades, UNISKIN Launches the Second Generation Peptide Skin Renewal Light Cream
In addition to hosting group standards, UNISKIN also unveiled its new product, the second generation Peptide Skin Renewal Light Cream, at the conference. As a flagship product of the UNISKIN brand, the first generation Peptide Skin Renewal Light Cream has achieved outstanding results, ranking first on the new cream list and in the top 10 of anti-wrinkle cream reviews. Compared to the first generation Peptide Skin Renewal Light Cream, the new second generation Peptide Skin Renewal Light Cream has three major upgrades.
Firstly, there is an upgrade to superconducting tripeptide PRO¹. According to the brand, compared to the first generation tripeptide, the tripeptide has been upgraded to Hexapeptide Pro (Acetyl Hexapeptide-8), collagen peptide (Hexapeptide-11), and elastin peptide (Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9). According to efficacy data from third-party organizations, the second generation collagen peptide (Hexapeptide-11) when combined with the previous Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, increases Type I collagen production by +19.65%, and the second generation elastin peptide (Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9) when combined with the previous Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, increases elastin production capacity by +19.96%.
Secondly, beyond just peptide innovation, there is also an innovative addition of recombinant skin protein components. It is known that besides the well-known collagen and elastin proteins in the skin, there is also a fibronectin protein closely related to wrinkles, and the second generation Peptide Skin Renewal Light Cream has added fibronectin protein. The UNISKIN research team discovered that when small molecule Type III collagen and elastin are combined in a special ratio, the ability to promote collagen production significantly increases. Therefore, by incorporating collagen, elastin, and fibronectin, these three key proteins into the second generation Peptide Skin Renewal Light Cream, it can achieve skin firming and tightening.
Furthermore, the second generation Peptide Skin Renewal Light Cream also introduces new anti-glycation peptides. These peptides can replace collagen and react with free sugars, thereby preventing glycation reactions at the source. They can also compete with collagen for free sugars in the initial glycation process, preventing the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Additionally, the second generation Peptide Skin Renewal Light Cream has been optimized in terms of skin feel. The lightweight version has a milky texture that controls oil and brightens the skin, with a matte soft focus effect; the moisturizing version has a creamy texture that is hydrating without being greasy, leaving a silky moisturized feel. Moreover, all creams use replaceable cores.
It is evident that from academic research to product development, each step taken by UNISKIN leaves a mark. In the face of the increasingly competitive anti-aging market, Du Le believes that UNISKIN continues to impress consumers because of its focus on understanding Chinese skin and providing solutions. “From 2020 to now, with the efforts of the UNISKIN research team, we have published nearly 12 research papers and applied for over 20 invention patents. Conducting this research is all about providing skincare solutions to consumers. For example, staying up late, environmental pollution, and work stress can all worsen the skin, which are pain points that UNISKIN has identified from consumers.”
“Inflammatory aging research happens to provide solutions to these pain points, which align with the brand’s advocacy for healthy skin corresponding to a healthy lifestyle. As such, we have launched a lifestyle health podcast named ‘You Zai You Zai’ to convey a healthy living attitude, and this year we have delved into the Daliangshan Mountains in Xichang, China to map the skin of the Chinese people as a public welfare initiative. These efforts aim to better understand the lifestyle of the Chinese people and thus better meet their skin care needs,” Dr. Du Le told CHAILEEDO.
It can be said that research is never a rushed endeavor. Through persistent research on Chinese skin data and insights into the aging trajectory, UNISKIN is not only enhancing the quality of Chinese brands through high-quality products and research, but is also breaking away from the anti-aging track dominated by international brands, raising the ceiling for Chinese anti-aging brands.
