The Application of Protease in Cosmetics Development

Associated with the abilities to provide and enhancing the powerful-stain-removal performance for a long time, enzymes have been used in detergents for more than 20 years. In recent years, considering the technical point of view, market prospects, and consumer awareness of effective raw materials, manufacturers begin to pay more attention to the use of biological enzymes in cosmetics. According to some speculations, the positive responses in the market showed that the enzymes meet the needs of the aging population, who are pursuing younger appearance by using functional cosmetics with enzymes. It can be seen that the cosmetics industry is booming. What plays a major role in it? The answer is absolutely proteases.

Papain

It has been an immediate necessity to find a green and safe alternative for skin whitening, as heavy metals such as mercury, lead, and arsenic have been exposed to be added in skin whitening products. Papain, extracted from the papaya pulp by modern biotechnology, is an important natural enzyme preparation. Studies showed that the Papain is safe enough to be applied to skin-whitening products. A certain amount of papain is added into commonly used soaps, facial cleansers, as well as day creams, night creams, etc., which proofs its wide application. Papain can directly hydrolyze the dark-brown casein in the skin into light-colored or colorless tyrosine, blocking the catalysis of tyrosine and reducing the formation of melanin, thereby achieving the effect of skin whitening. On the other hand, it can tender skin by enhancing cell development. Papain will decompose the skin aging stratum corneum once being applied to them, after which an amino acid derivative film will be formed on the surface of the skin to keep the skin moisturized and smooth.

SOD

Sod, as a compound enzyme, is a water-soluble substance that is adsorbed on the skin. It can not only release and provide the nutrients needed by the skin metabolism, but also effectively and permanently remove harmful substances produced during metabolism. In addition, it will effectively repair cells destroyed by the superoxide free radicals and play a significant role in the protection of skin mucosa, cells and even cell membranes. Therefore, the skin is moisturized and wrinkles are reduced. When the SODs are mixed with the matrix, the anti-aging active components of the SOD are adsorbed on the surface layer of the body skin and forms a natural fatty film, recognized as a protective layer to prevent the evaporation of moisture in the skin on the one hand and provides emulsified fat and moisture to the surface of the skin on the other hand.

Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 is one of the essential physiologically-active substances indispensable to human health. It can improve human immunity, enhance antioxidant capacity, and delay aging. It is reported that the annual demand for coenzyme Q10 raw materials in the world market in 2005 has reached about 400T.

As for the applications in cosmetics, its main function is to effectively resist wrinkles with a concentration from 0.01% to 1.0% in cosmetics. In addition, it has a protective effect against the photic injury of corneal epithelial cells caused by ultraviolet rays. It promotes the respiratory chain transmission and ATP production of facial and hand epithelial cells, which promotes skin metabolism. Through the inhibition of skin lipid peroxidation and elimination of stress caused by aging, light, diseases or lack of nutrition, coenzyme Q10 can better nourish and activate the skin.

In general, proteases in the cosmetics industry is irreplaceable. Low cost and big market contain huge business opportunities.

Writing enthusiast and working for Creative Enzymes, supplying enzymes and services such as a hrefs="https://www.creative-enzymes.com/resource/Enzyme-Assays_27.html"enzymes assays.