Sebum balance and hyaluronic acid: the science behind TetraGold®
Oily skin and dehydrated skin often go together. Many consumers with shiny, oily skin still experience tightness and a lack of hydration. Products that only dry out the skin make the problem worse. The better approach is to rebalance sebum and support hydration at the same time.
The role of sebum
Sebum is produced by the sebaceous glands and helps protect the skin and keep it supple. When more sebum is produced than needed, the skin becomes oily, pores look larger and blemishes and dysbiosis become more likely.
The role of hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid binds water in the skin and contributes to its elasticity and plump appearance. The skin produces it continuously, but the enzyme hyaluronidase breaks it down again. With age, the level of hyaluronic acid in the skin decreases, which leads to fine lines and loss of elasticity.
How TetraGold® acts on both
- Sebum: in vivo, 20 volunteers applied a 5% TetraGold® solution twice a day. Skin sebum decreased by 16% after 14 days and by 21% after 28 days.
- Hyaluronic acid production: in human fibroblasts, TetraGold® at 2% increased hyaluronic acid production by 17%.
- Hyaluronic acid protection: at 2.5%, TetraGold® preserved 57% of hyaluronic acid from degradation by hyaluronidase.
- Antioxidant activity: at 5%, TetraGold® reduced free radicals by 50% (DPPH) and 58% (TEAC).
Product ideas
TetraGold® fits purifying creams for oily or combination skin, plumping serums with sodium hyaluronate, and all-in-one products for consumers who want a matte yet hydrated skin. It is water soluble and is added below 40°C at 2 to 5%.
Read more in our blog Boosting hyaluronic acid production.
Want to evaluate TetraGold® in your own formulation? Visit the TetraGold® ingredient page, request a sample kit or contact our technical team.
