Showa Denko trims the fat and boosts skin elasticity

Published: 3-Jul-2015


New from Showa Denko is HCAP, a raw material that permeates the skin and cell membrane for slimming and anti-ageing effects. Hydroxycitric acid (HCA) is an organic acid from the skin of the Garcinia cambogia fruit that is attracting attention as a slimming supplement due to its ability to block fat synthesis. As HCA is water-soluble and does not readily permeate the skin, it is difficult to use HCA in cosmetics. Showa Denko, however, has developed a lipophilic derivative of HCA, increasing transdermal permeability.

Absorbed saccharides turn into citric acid in adipocytes. Citric acid is eventually converted into fatty acid by the action of an enzyme called ATP citrate lyase, resulting in the accumulation of fat. HCAP, after permeation through the skin, is digested into HCA by the action of an enzyme inside cells, inhibiting the activity of ATP citrate lyase.

In addition, when HCAP inhibits fat metabolism in fibroblasts, citric acid becomes available for use by energy-producing organelles inside cells, activating cells and thereby increasing the production of elastin.

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