Inulin ingredient PolyFructol Plus: sweet humectant

Inulin is a natural substance produced by many vegetables and fruits. Chicory root is especially rich in inulin. Chicory is one of the most common wild herbs in Central Europe, with blue flowers.

 
Chicory is an important medicinal plant, the leaves are used for salads, and the roots are used as substitutes for coffee. Its root component, inulin, is a fructose polymer, often used as a dietary fiber with low calories and indigestion.

 
Due to its beneficial effect on the stomach, inulin is often used as a prebiotic, as a substitute for fat and sugar, and for the development of functional foods.

 
Skin moisture balance

 
The formation of the permeability barrier begins in the epidermis, where new keratinocytes are continuously produced. During migration to the outer epidermis, they are transformed into dead keratinocytes.

 
Keratinocytes are embedded in the lipid matrix to form the stratum corneum, which is a tight waterproof layer. Frequent skin cleansing with products containing surfactants can interfere with moisture balance. Surfactants can dissolve the skin's lipid matrix and eventually clear the skin's lipids and humectants.

 
Skin microbiome

 
Billions of microorganisms settle in various parts of human skin and constitute the skin microbiome. Work with the host's immune system to defend against pathogens and maintain skin health.

 
The latest research reveals the complexity of the field, because the number and types of microorganisms vary greatly between different subjects and between different parts of the skin.

 
Generally, it is believed that the wider the variety of microorganisms in a particular skin area, the better the health of the skin.

 
Under normal circumstances, microbial membranes can protect the skin from other harmful bacteria or pathogens. Because it is the first barrier, it is not only affected by factors such as ultraviolet rays, pollution and household chemicals, but also by cosmetics or care methods.

 
Skin moisturizers and prebiotics

 
Inulin is a humectant: it can absorb water from the environment into the skin and help retain moisture. In addition, it forms a smooth film on the skin, making the skin soft and smooth.

 
Inulin has prebiotic properties and can nourish healthy bacterial flora, so it can help maintain a healthy skin appearance by balancing the skin's microbiome.

 
Because of this feature, inulin strengthens the skin's natural protective barrier and maintains it in good condition. Overall, a balanced skin flora will improve water retention and make the skin fuller and healthier.

 
Mibelle Group Biochemistry describes how to use the partial hydrolysate of chicory root inulin (fructose oligosaccharide) for moisturizing and repairing the skin. The rigorous daily washing procedures put stress on the skin. In order to obtain the best skin bioavailability, the following experiment used a cream mixed with inulin and lecithin liposomes, called PolyFructol Plus.


Research on compressed skin

 
PolyFructol Plus was tested in a clinical study of female volunteers aged 18 to 60 years with normal to dry skin. The study included a cleaning period, recovery period and no treatment period to verify its lasting effect.

 
During the first 7 days, volunteers must wash their arms 3 times a day with shower gel to over-cleanse the skin.

 
After each wash and short drying, they applied a cream containing 1% PolyFructol Plus to one forearm and another placebo cream without active ingredients to the other forearm. Afterwards, a 7-day recovery period, using the test product twice in the morning and evening.

 
The researchers measured the following skin parameters: hydration (Corneometer CM825), transepidermal water loss (Tewameter TM300), elasticity (Cutometer MPA580), and roughness (Antera 3D). Measurements were made on the third, seventh, eighth, ninth, and fourteenth days of product application, and one or two days after the last application of the product.

 
The results show that all measured parameters have the same trend. In the initial stage, the skin area deteriorated with the placebo-treated skin area.

 
In contrast, in the skin area treated with the cream containing PolyFructol Plus, the skin condition improved slightly. During the recovery phase, the skin condition of both hands has improved, but the improvement of the skin treated with PolyFructol Plus cream is more obvious, especially in terms of moisturization and elasticity.

 
Hydration after single use

 
In addition, the researchers tested 20 female volunteers 26-49 years old with shower products containing this fructooligosaccharide liposome (with different concentrations). They washed the designated area on the inner side of the forearm with an aqueous solution containing 20%, 5%, and 0.1% without this oligofructose liposome (placebo).

 
After 20 minutes, rinse the test area with tap water. 30 minutes and 60 minutes after application of the test product, skin hydration was measured.

 
All tested shower products improved skin hydration compared to areas that were only rinsed with water (untreated). The experiment proves that only adding 0.1% of this fructooligosaccharide liposome can make the skin much more hydrated. Containing 5% of this active ingredient can further improve skin hydration.

 
To sum up

 
The active substance containing fructooligosaccharides is combined with lecithin liposomes, and even after a single use of the rinse product, it shows strong hydration.

 
Inulin is a raw material for fructooligosaccharides and has a long history in the food industry, not only as a functional fiber, but also as a humectant, a bitter taste masker and a fat substitute. Topical external application can form a moisturizing film with skin conditioning effect.

 
Interestingly, in damaged skin, such as after excessive cleansing, PolyFructol Plus ingredients also show a protective effect. This may be due to the prebiotic properties of inulin.

 
This fructooligosaccharide molecule is an ideal food source for skin microbiota, helping them to re-grow after cleaning. The skin microbiome plays a vital role in maintaining the health of the skin barrier.