As the line between beauty and well-being has become blurred due to the spread of the holistic beauty perspective, 'femcare' has become a term for all aspects of hygiene, health, and beauty, ranging from Y-zone cleansing to moisturizing, microbial balance, skin barrier strengthening, lymph circulation, and cycle syncing skincare. In addition, female consumers' desire for positive self-awareness and mental satisfaction and an atmosphere of more active and free discussion about women's health are developing femcare in a more holistic, healthy and sustainable direction.
What should be considered for developing femcare products?
Femcare products, centered around sanitary products and feminine cleansers, have developed into a variety of products to more satisfactorily manage the body part called the Y zone or intimate zone, are expanding their scope to relieve various discomforts during menstruation and skin care using the menstrual cycle.
Genital skin is more delicate than facial skin, and is exposed to higher temperatures and moisture due to its semi-enclosed environment, and is prone to irritation from friction with underwear or tight bottoms. Many products focusing on microbiome ingredients are being released to strengthen the barrier of sensitive skin by maintaining the microbial balance in the Y zone. Due to increased awareness of Menopose skin care, research and development for the care of the Y zone, which becomes more sensitive and fragile after menopause, is also becoming more active.
In addition, products tailored to hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle, moist and dense foam suited to the pH of delicate areas, relieving irritation after hair removal and shaving, and maintaining a healthy vagina with natural lactic acid bacteria are attracting attention. ACTIVON introduces raw materials that can be applied to femcare products for various purposes.
ACTIVON’s ingredients for intimate zone products
#Antibacterial and preservative effects against vaginitis-causing bacteria and various microorganisms
Most femcare products are mildly acidic products. Activonol Green-Hinocare and Activonol Green-ACTree, which have excellent antibacterial activity in various pH ranges (pH 4 ~ 12), are 100% natural (NOI = 1.0) and are non-irritating. In particular, hinokitiol contained in Activonol Green-Hinocare has high antifungal efficacy against fungi, effectively inhibits the growth of Candida albicans, which causes vaginitis, and is water soluble, making it suitable for femcare products.
Activonol Green-Hinocare
- INCI Name | Hinokitiol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Butylene Glycol
- Recommended dosage | 1.0 - 2.0%
- Effect & Benefits - 100% natural origin (NOI = 1.0), Skin irritation test completed, Upcycled raw material,
- Water soluble, COSMOS version available (Raspberry Ketone), Natrue/Vegan/Halal (pending)
Activonol Green-ACTree
- INCI Name | Honokiol, Magnolol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Butylene glycol
- Recommended dosage | 1.5 – 2.0 %
- Effect & Benefits - 100% natural origin (COSMOS, ECOCERT), Antibacterial effect against various microorganisms
(Athlete's foot-causing bacteria, dandruff-causing bacteria, acne-causing bacteria, vaginitis-causing bacteria, etc.), Wide compatibility (O/W, W/S, Oil, Wash-off type), Skin irritation test completed (5%)
# Improves balance and skin barrier in sensitive areas
Activonol-LevaNA and Activega-Cbiome are microbiome friendly ingredients that help improve skin microbiome balance. Levan, a fructose polymer, is a well-known prebiotic in foods along with inulin, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae extract can be used as a postbiotic and prebiotic.
Activonol-LevaNA(BG)
- INCI Name | Fructan, Water, Butylene Glycol
- Recommended dosage | 3.0 - 10.0%
- Effect & Benefits - Strengthening skin barrier, Improved skin moisture retention, Improved feeling of use,
- Manufactured through eco-friendly fermentation process, COSMOS/Vegan
Activega-Cbiome
- INCI Name | Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Butylene Glycol, Water
- Recommended dosage | 2.0 - 5.0%
- Effect & Benefits - Improved skin microbiome balance, Water soluble,
- Upcycled raw materials through eco-friendly fermentation process, COSMOS/Vegan
#Exosomes derived from plant lactic acid bacteria for microbiome balance
Lactobacillus-derived exosomes are extracellular vesicles secreted by lactic acid bacteria and can be used as postbiotics. Lactobacillus-derived exosomes not only contain various active ingredients, but are also small in size, making them easier to absorb into the skin than regular extracts. Through ACTIVON's ActivEXO-MF platform technology, superior efficacy can be expected by selectively extracting only function-specific exosomes.
Acxosome-LactoP
- Origin | Lactobacillus Paracasei (GRAS, food grade)
- INCI | Lactobacillus Extracellular Vesicles
- Effect & Benefits - Whitening, Wrinkle improvement, Wound healing, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant
- COSMOS/Vegan/Natrue, Patented
Acxosome-LactoR
- Origin | Lactobacillus Reuteri (GRAS, food grade, KCTC15432BP)
- INCI | Lactobacillus Extracellular Vesicles
- Effect & Benefits - Wound healing, Cell proliferation, Anti-inflammatory, COSMOS/Vegan/Natrue, Patented