Muttenz, April 15, 2021 – Welcome relief for compromised skin. Clariant Active Ingredients and Beraca launch Ethience Protect, a new barrier function balancer for modern skin care, with proven efficacy on key consumer concerns and eco-conscious production. The innovative Brazil nut extract rebuilds and strengthens skin’s natural protective shield, leading to better hydrated, less sensitive, healthier looking skin.

The skin is the body’s first line of defense. It protects against the entry of harmful components and also avoids excessive water loss. However environmental impacts, friction, stress, fatigue, and aging can impair and unbalance the barrier function, typically causing dry, patchy, irritated and, itchy skin.
 

In vitro studies confirm that Ethience Protect acts on the three essential levels responsible for ensuring a strong and resilient barrier function, relieving compromised skin:

Ethience Protect derives its performance benefits from upgraded plant-based polyphenols known for their anti-inflammatory properties and beneficial effects on barrier function[1].

Working in partnership with Beraca and its sourcing communities in the Amazon, Clariant Active Ingredients obtains the polyphenols from a co-product of Brazil nut oil production. The process is fully traceable and transparent. Ethience Protect touches the circular economy concept as the entire fruit is used. Even the residue from the final extraction is used by local communities as a natural fertilizer.

To assess its efficacy in real life, Ethience Protect was put to the test in two daily “high friction” situations known to cause and exacerbate compromised skin conditions – shaving and prolonged face mask wearing. The results highlight its potential for advancing skin barrier protection products, and moisturizing and repair-focused skin care formats.

Clinical studies focused on addressing key signs of a disturbed skin barrier defined by men and women in a recent survey[2], to ensure the active addresses issues of most concern to consumers. Dehydrated skin and irritation, including redness, came high on their lists.

For the group of female mask wearers, experiencing dryness and visible pores, Ethience Protect rehydrated the skin by 28.5% after only 7 days and by almost 52% after 35 days, counteracting the barrier damage caused by mask friction. It also proved its value in providing visible relief. Spots related to mask wearing disappeared and the skin tone was more even.

For the men in the shaving study, the team focused on dehydration and redness. The lack of hydration, closely associated with barrier damage caused by shaving, improved. After one week, Ethience Protect boosted skin moisture by 19%, and after 35 days by 28%. Redness caused by shaving was reduced by 8% thanks to Ethience Protect. Volunteers perceived a stronger improvement in terms of skin brightness and damage reduction. They also perceived a reduction in their skin reactivity after 7 days, and even more after 35 days.