PMSoothe® Kava-Oil

PMSoothe® Kava-Oil Action target for anti-irritation

PMSoothe® Kava-Oil blocks the production of burning, pain and itching through two targets simultaneously, mainly acting on the skin sensory nervous system. It can inhibit both neural excitation (inhibiting TRPV1 protein expression) and neurotransmitter transmission (inhibiting AP signaling), thus achieving instant nerve relief.

Compared to traditional TRPV1 target, inhibition of action potentials (APs) blocks multiple stimulus signals more comprehensively. There are multiple receptor subtypes such as TRPV1-TRPV6 distributing in human skin, which perceive different stimuli respectively. Traditional TRPV1 inhibitors have the limitation of having a single target of action. However, regardless of which TRPV receptors is activated, the stimulus signals generated ultimately need to be transmitted to the brain in the form of AP. Therefore, inhibition of the AP can maximize the blockage of the transmission of various stimulus signals and provide a broader anti-irritation effect.

Kava has been eaten for 3,000 years in the South Pacific islands, where it is considered “sacred” by the indigenous people and used in religious and cultural ceremonies. Kava is used to make “Kava Wine”, which is considered the national drink and is consumed when entertaining VIP guests, holding important festivals or discussing important matters. Kava is considered a natural answer to stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia and more.

Plamed has conducted efficacy demonstration and mechanism of action research on Kava to soothe sensitive skin, and in 2021 verified that Kava can block neurotransmitter transmission.

• Anti-irritation: Inhibit the express of TRPV1

Based on keratinocytes: PMSoothe® Kava-Oil inhibited capsaicin receptor (TRPV1) by 42.06% at concentrations of 0.5%.

• Anti-irritation: Zebrafish total moving distance

Zebrafish accelerate their swimming to escape an acetic acid stimulus, and this test evaluates the degree of stimulation based on the total movement distance per unit time. Test results show that PMSoothe® Kava-Oil exhibits a nerve-soothing efficacy of up to 96% at a 0.1% concentration.

• Skin repair-keratinocyte-cell migration rate

Compared to the NC group, PMSoothe® Kava-Oil at a concentration of 0.125% demonstrated a 55% increase in keratinocyte migration rate, proving its repair efficacy.

• Safety-Human skin patch test
  Human skin patch test of PMSoothe® Kava-Oil at a 10% concentration was conducted in accordance with the Cosmetic Safety Technical Specifications (2015 Edition). Results showed no adverse skin reactions in any of the 30 subjects 48 hours after sample application.
• Safety-Cosmetics Eye irritation Test – HET-CAM Test
  Based on the “Chicken Embryo Chorion-Allantois Membrane Test for Cosmetic Eye Irritation/Corrosion,” 1% PMSoothe® Kava-Oil has no irritation.
• Other efficacy tests
  Please check at https://plamed.cn/product/anti-irritating-cosmetics-ingredient-pmsoothe-kava97/

Q: Can PMSoothe® Kava-Oil be dissolved in alcohols?

A：Yes, PMSoothe® Kava-Oil can be successfully dissolved in polyols (such as glycerin, propanediol, and butanediol) for adding into the formulation directly.

Q：How is the 10% concentration in PMSoothe® Kava-Oil defined in terms of raw materials?

A: The 10% concentration does not refer to the raw botanical powder input. Instead, it represents the actual weight percentage of the pure Kava extract—obtained through supercritical fluid extraction and Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (GTCC) extraction—within the final product.

Q: Can PMSoothe® Kava-Oil undergo high-temperature heating during manufacturing?

A: Yes, it exhibits excellent thermal stability and can withstand short-term hot processing:

Short-term Processing: Active ingredient levels remain perfectly stable at 85°C for up to 10 minutes.

Long-term Heat Stability: Testing shows no significant changes in component content or appearance after 3 months at 45°C.

Q: Will PMSoothe® Kava-Oil freeze or solidify at low temperatures (5°C)?

A: No. The carrier solvent for PMSoothe® Kava-Oil is GTCC, which has a freezing point of approximately -15°C. Our low-temperature stability tests confirm no solidification or separation after more than 6 months at 4°C.

Q: How does PMSoothe® Kava-Oil perform in foundations? What is the recommended dosage?

A: It delivers exceptional anti-irritation and skin-barrier repair benefits in makeup bases:

System Match: Since foundations are predominantly Water-in-Oil (W/O) systems, this oil-soluble Kava-Oil is highly recommended.

Dosage Principle: The usage depends on the irritation levels of the formulation’s ingredients rather than the product type itself. If the formulation contains no strong irritants, a dosage of 0.1% – 0.5% is sufficient to provide robust anti-irritation and repair effects.

Q: What is the compatibility of PMSoothe® Kava-Oil with different cosmetic oils?

A: We have conducted comprehensive oil compatibility testing. Please note the following guidelines:

Synthetic Esters & Natural Plant Oils: Displays excellent compatibility at the recommended formulation usage (up to 10%).

Silicone Oils: Poor compatibility. It is not recommended for pure silicone oil systems, as it carries a risk of hazing or precipitation.

Synthetic/Plant Alkanes: Reducing usage dosage. In systems containing Hydrogenated Polyisobutene or Squalane, we recommend keeping the dosage ≤3% and avoiding low-temperature storage to prevent potential hazing risks.

Q: Our formulation appeared precipitation after 1 month at room temperature with 0.2% Kava-Oil. The formulation also contains Tea Tree, Angelica, and Licorice oils. Could Kava-Oil be the cause?

A: Based on our technical compatibility data, it is highly unlikely that PMSoothe® Kava-Oil is the cause:

Precipitation Morphology: True Kava extract precipitates present as characteristic smooth, glossy particles, not as white gels or flakes.

Dosage Threshold: At a low concentration of 0.2%, Kava-Oil remains highly stable. It can remain perfectly stable at up to 10% in standard vegetable and synthetic oils.

Troubleshooting: The issue may stem from incompatibility between other botanical oils or emulsifiers. We highly recommend running a blank control test (omitting Kava-Oil) to accurately isolate the cause.

Q: The raw material has a distinct odor. Is this from the Kava itself or the solvent? How can we reduce it?

A: The odor is entirely a natural characteristic of the Kava active components, not the solvent. We suggest the following approaches to manage the odor:

Matrix Encapsulation: In finished formulations, components like emulsifiers and thickeners present in the formulation physically encapsulate and “mask” a portion of the Kava odor. We recommend making a complete formula sample to evaluate the final scent.

Dosage Control: Keeping Kava-Oil’s dosage ≤0.5% will significantly dilute and lighten the natural odor.

Process Update: Our R&D team is currently exploring advanced processing techniques (such as concentration and vacuum stripping) to further optimize the raw material’s odor without compromising active components.