SUN CARE
Sun care: the power of Vigna radiata
Ambra Mozzali, Valeria Quaranta, Jacopo Amari – Innovacos ABSTRACT
This article presents Plant C-Stem™ Vigna Radiata, a water-soluble active ingredient obtained through an innovative cold-process vacuolar extraction from plant stem cells. This method enables the isolation of bioactive components without the use of solvents or enzymes, preserving their full biological potential. In vitro studies have demonstrated that the
vacuolar extract of Vigna radiata effectively reduces ROS production and oxidative stress in human keratinocytes exposed to blue light and infrared radiation, while in vivo tests confirmed its soothing effect on UV-induced erythema and its role as an SPF booster. Thanks to its broad-spectrum protective
activity, Plant C-Stem™ Vigna Radiata is a key natural ingredient for sun care formulations and anti-ageing treatments, as it contrasts photoageing, helping to preserve skin health and protect it from the damages of sun exposure
Sun exposure is an integral part of daily life. Throughout history, the sun has played a crucial role in shaping human civilizations and influencing various aspects of life. In ancient cultures, sunlight was often associated with divine forces and revered as a symbol of life and vitality. Its warmth and light were essential for agriculture, for crop growth and seasonal cycles. Additionally, sunlight naturally regulates daily routines and work schedules, acting as a fundamental timekeeping mechanism. Reflected and filtered by the atmosphere,
only part of sunlight reaches the Earth’s surface. This radiation can induce harmful effects on human skin, including sunburn, oxidative stress, immunosuppression, photoageing, and carcinogenesis. It is generally believed that ultraviolet (UV) radiation is primarily responsible for these adverse effects, so researchers have traditionally focused on studying products capable of countering UV rays, often ignoring other wavelengths.1 The UV spectrum is divided into UVA (λ =
320−400nm), UVB (λ = 280−320nm), and UVC (λ = 100nm 280nm). UVC are completely absorbed
by the ozone layer, so they do not reach the Earth’s surface.2
UVB rays are responsible for erythema and sunburn, while UVA rays
www.personalcaremagazine.com
penetrate deep into the dermis, causing oxidative stress, inflammation, and premature skin ageing. The UV dose is influenced by the source of irradiation, season, latitude, time of day, atmospheric pollutants, and the thickness of the ozone layer.3 Even during winter or cloudy months, UV
rays can penetrate through clouds and cause skin damage. Therefore, applying products that reduce sun damage should be a consistent practice regardless of weather conditions. However, recent studies have shown that
infrared radiation may also have a profound role in inflammation and photoageing. Infrared radiation is further subdivided into IRA (760– 1440nm), IRB (1440–3000nm), IRC (3000nm– 1mm). Most of the IR radiation lies within the IRA band, which deeply penetrates the human skin, while IRB and IRC only affect the upper skin layers. In comparison, IRA penetrates better than UV into the skin, with approximately 50% reaching the dermis. Taken together, IRA disturbs the collagen equilibrium of the skin in two ways: by increasing the amount/activity of MMP-1, which results in an increased collagen degradation, and by decreasing de novo synthesis of collagen,4
which
cause the degradation of dermal connective tissue, resulting in wrinkle formation.
Finally, blue light (450−495nm), has lower
energy compared to UV radiation and can penetrate more deeply into the dermis, up to a depth of 1mm. It exerts its direct effects on the skin by interacting with chromophores, which causes a transition from an inactive state to an active one.
Reactive oxygen species The activation of these molecules leads to an overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the release of reactive nitrogen species, such as nitric oxide (NO). In addition to directly affecting the skin, blue light, including that from electronic devices, can also have indirect effects on the body by altering the normal circadian rhythm and, therefore, negatively affecting skin repair processes during the night.5 ROS are highly reactive chemical species
containing oxygen and mitochondria are the major sources of ROS at the cellular level. ROS mainly include superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radical. They are normally formed by oxygen metabolism and play an important role in cell signalling and homeostasis. However, environmental stresses (such as UV rays, IR, and heat) can cause oxidative stress, which is an increase in ROS levels causing cellular damage.
June 2025 PERSONAL CARE
75
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92
