Tokyo, 7 October 2014 – Showa Denko K.K., a Japan-based manufacturer of raw materials and ingredients, is pleased to announce the official introduction of Ascomate-CTM for the Asia Pacific region at the upcoming in-cosmetics Asia 2014. The latest addition to the company’s range of chemical derivatives, Ascomate-C is a vitamin C derivative that is developed specifically for use in personal care products, and that exhibits superior stability in aqueous solutions. Showa Denko’s showcase is part of the Japan Country Focus at the show, which will be held in Bangkok from 4 – 6 November 2014.
According to a consumer survey conducted by Datamonitor in 2013 across 24 markets and with over 25,000 consumers, 50% of consumers in Asia see skin lightening/brightening benefits as an essential feature of skincare products. On the other hand, only less than a quarter of consumers in Western Europe and North America share the same sentiments.
“As a leading provider of specialty chemical derivatives, Showa Denko is constantly innovating to develop solutions that address current concerns. Vitamin C has proven efficacies in skin whitening but its instability makes it difficult to deliver the optimum dosage for maximum absorption. Thus, it is with this focus that we have developed Ascomate-C, a new vitamin C derivative that exhibits high stability in aqueous solutions,” shared Atsushi Shibato, Sales Manager, Personal Care Materials Group, Showa Denko K.K. “This is our first official introduction of Ascomate-C to the APAC region, and we hope that it will gather interest among manufacturers of Asian skincare products.”
Resistant to heat and oxygen, Ascomate-C is stable in formulations, and remains inactive and chemically stable under atmospheric conditions until applied on the skin. Once applied, it can be easily hydrolysed by intradermal enzymes to form ascorbic acid for effective transdermal delivery. Due to its high anti-oxidative property, Ascomate-C also shows less decolourisation when dissolved, giving rise to a clearer solution that may improve the appearance of end-product formulations. Ascomate-C has been shown to be effective for skin brightening, anti-aging, acne care, and hair care, and is applicable to a variety of cosmetics products such as moisturisers, sunscreen and shampoos.
Functions of Asocmate-C include:
- Whitening and depigmentation, by the inhibition of melanin synthesis
- Boosting of collagen synthesis and inhibition of collagen degradation
- Anti-aging, due to deceleration of cell aging
- UV protection, and protection of hair cuticles against chlorine damage, due to its radical scavenging ability
In addition to Ascomate-C, Showa Denko’s showcase highlights two other chemical derivatives – Hi-Carnitine (HLC) and Methyl Hesperidin. Carnitine is known for its cell-activating properties but on its own, it has low skin permeability due to its hydrophilic nature. HLC is a new carnitine derivative that can effectively penetrate through skin, and that releases carnitine enzymatically. This enhances the intracellular concentration of carnitine efficiently, and thus generates energy to activate skin cells. HLC is particularly suited for anti-aging formulations, and has been shown to combat common signs of aging skin, such as fine lines, dullness, dryness, and loss of elasticity.
Hesperidin, or vitamin P, is a polyphenol that is extracted from the peels of citrus fruits, and that presents anti-oxidative and anti-allergic properties, with improved blood circulation. The low water solubility of Hesperidin makes it difficult to be incorporated into cosmetic formulations. Methyl Hesperidin, on the other hand, is a hesperidin derivative with high water solubility properties. When used in combination with vitamin C, Methyl Hesperidin is able to enhance the whitening effects of skin care products, while its anti-glycation effect prevents dullness and loss of elasticity in skin. Additionally, Methyl Hesperidin promotes micro-circulation, making it suitable for use in massage creams and eye care products.
To find out more about Showa Denko’s range of products, stop by Stand B51, located within the Japanese Pavilion at in-cosmetics Asia 2014, BITEC Bangkok, from 4 to 6 November 2014.
About Showa Denko K.K.
Showa Denko K.K. (SDK, Tokyo: 4004, ISIN: JP3368000000), which was established in 1939, is one of Japan’s leading chemical companies. The Showa Denko Group had annual consolidated sales of 848 billion yen in the year ending December 2013, and consists of 159 companies with more than 10,000 employees worldwide. SDK Group’s business portfolio includes six segments; Petrochemicals, Chemicals, Electronics, Inorganics, Aluminum, and Others. Based on its inorganic, metal and organic chemical technologies, the SDK Group provides individualized products in various areas including energy/environment, electronics, and basic materials for industrial use.