Japanese Nutricosmetic Formula is comprised of rare, natural active ingredients that work in synergy to prevent, delay and reduce the effects of ageing on the skin. The benefits of purple rice, yuzu and lychees in promoting beautiful, healthy skin are part of Asian legend and tradition. Cell studies, in animals and humans, confirm their efficacy as well as that of kiwi and rice ceramides.

¤ Purple rice is the seed of Oryza sativa Linn, a rice originating from China where in ancient times, it was thought to perpetuate youth and extend lifespan. It contains a dark purple pigment, an anthocyanin with potent antioxidant properties.

¤ Yuzu (Citrus junos), or Japanese grapefruit, originates from the Sichuan and Yunnan provinces of China. It was imported to Japan more than 1000 years ago. Extract of yuzu seed is particularly rich in organic acids, such as citric, tartric and ascorbic acids, which play an important role in the health and beauty of the skin.

¤ Lychees come from southern China where they have been cultivated for more than 3000 years. According to legend, Yang Kuei-Fei (719-756), concubine of Xuan Zang, the sixth emperor of the Tang dynasty, not only maintained her extraordinary beauty but became even more beautiful due to her passion for lychees.

¤ Originating from central and southern regions of China, the kiwi was introduced into Japan in 1966 and has been grown there since the end of the Seventies. Research has shown that kiwi seed extract prevents the development of acne and has properties that combat wrinkles and dark rings under the eyes. Ceramides were first identified in 1884 in the human brain. Many others were subsequently observed in the skin and biological membranes. Ceramides play an important role in barrier and moisturizing functions in the skin. When levels are inadequate, lines and fine wrinkles may appear.

¤ Studies show that:

• purple rice extract:
• inhibits degradation of elastin, collagen and hyaluronic acid, thus helping to maintain skin hydration and firmness,
• over the years, disturbances in melanin production can cause ageing or ‘liver’ spots to appear. Purple rice extract boosts the inhibitory effect of vitamin C on tyrosinase and slows down the formation of melanin, thus preventing the development of liver spots and even lessening the appearance of existing ones;
• yuzu seed extract:
• reduces, in a dose-dependent manner, the formation of melanin spots,
• combats age-associated thinning of the skin by encouraging, in a dose-dependent manner, the growth of fibroblasts and collagen,
• 4 weeks’ oral supplementation with yuzu seed extract improved subjective assessment of skin texture;
• lychee seed extract:
• appears to inhibit the degradation of collagen and stimulate its production in the cells of ageing fibroblasts,
• is effective at inhibiting the degradation of elastin and hyaluronic acid,
• taking 300 mg/day of lychee seed extract over 3 weeks increased skin hydration in healthy subjects, restoring a healthy and beautiful appearance,
• when added to a cell culture, it reduced melanin production by 33%;
• kiwi seed extract:
• is rich in the essential fatty acid omega-6 (alpha-linolenic acid) which has anti-allergenic properties ; it also contains polyphenols,
• taking 50 mg/day of kiwi seed extract over 4 weeks reduced wrinkles and regulated sebum production without affecting the skin’s hydration; it also reduced dark rings under the eyes,
• in guinea pigs, oral consumption of kiwi seed extract prevented hyperpigmentation;
• rice ceramides:
• in cell culture studies, normalised melanin production, boosted hydration and stimulated growth of fibroblasts,
• a clinical study showed that daily supplementation over 6 weeks with 40 mg ceramides improved the hydration and suppleness of the skin.