Ergothioneine Benefits for Skincare

8月 11, 2021Cosmetic ingredients

Ergothioneine (EGT), as a kind of rare amino acid, can be initially found in mushrooms and cyanobacteria. Also, it’s widely distributed in mammalian cells and tissues. Due to its strong anti-oxidation properties and natural safety, ergothioneine can be applied to cosmetics, food, health care products, and other fields. Ergothioneine’s benefits for skincare is significantly reflected in anti-oxidation, sun protection and anti-inflammation.

Ergothioneine benefits

1. Ergothioneine Benefits

Ergothioneine Anti-oxidation

Ergothioneine can be transported to mitochondria through the transporter OCTN1 on skin cells, thereby to exert its antioxidant function. Ergothioneine in mitochondria can directly scavenge active oxygen free radicals produced by respiration and absorb ultraviolet rays, thereby exerting antioxidant and skin protective effects. In addition, ergothioneine can inhibit DNA damage and effectively protect against UV damage.

Ergothioneine also has the ability to scavenge free radicals, reduce lipid peroxidation, and promote the body’s own antioxidant enzymes.

Ergothioneine’s ability to scavenging DPPH free radical is 14 times that of glutathione, and 30 times that of coenzyme Q10 at the same concentration.

Ergothioneine’s ability to scavenging DPPH free radical

The study shows ergothioneine’s anti-aging property. 2.0% ergothioneine can reduce fine lines, wrinkles as well as crow’s feet.

Ergothioneine Sun Protection

Ultraviolet rays in sunlight UVA can penetrate into the dermis of human skin, affect the growth of epidermal cells, make surface cells die, and cause premature skin aging. Ultraviolet UVB is more likely to cause skin cancer. Ergothioneine can minimize the formation of reactive oxygen species and protect cells from radiation damage. Many researches has proved that ergothioneine has the protective benefits against UV-induced skin injuries.

UV radiation can cause a large number of epidermal cell apoptosis. 2% ergothioneine can reduce cell apoptosis, increase the proportion of living cells by 39%, and reduce the proportion of late apoptotic cells by 76%.

Thus, ergothioneine can be applied into the sunscreen and products for skin repair after UV damage.

Ergothioneine Anti-Inflammation

Inflammation is a kind of response when the skin is infected. Excessive ultraviolet radiation and excessive pressure are all causes of skin inflammation. Studies have shown that ergothioneine can play an anti-inflammatory role in skin cells. At the same time, combined with vitamin C will obtain a more significant effect. The combination of idebenone and ergothioneine can reduce skin inflammation and skin damage caused by ultraviolet rays.

2. Other Ergothioneine Benefits for Skin

Ergothioneine can regulate the redox reaction in the cell, and participate in the regulation of the energy in the cell. It is a physiological protective agent of the cell, and its biological and pharmacological properties are safe and stable. Therefore, adding ergothioneine to the cosmetic formula can not only maintain the stability of other ingredients, but also promote the absorption of active ingredients by skin. It indicates that ergothioneine has a good synergistic effect; and it effectively enhances the efficacy of other ingredients, and achieves skincare effect 1+1>2. When ergothioneine is used in an antioxidant product, not only can it exert a strong antioxidant effect, but it can also work in conjunction with other antioxidants to strengthen its vitality. For instance, when combined with Vitamin C, ergothioneine is found to be far more effective for skincare.

3. Ergothioneine Application in Cosmetic Formulas

Because of its potent and particular anti-oxidation property, ergothioneine is mostly added into cosmetics for the treatment of wrinkle, fine lines, crows feet and other problems related to skin aging.

Due to its good chemical stability and good water solubility, ergothioneine is has a very broad application prospect in the cosmetics industry. Ergothioneine owns several benefits for skincare, mainly including anti-oxidation, removing wrinkles, and preventing skin-inflammation.