'Extract of Tephrosia Purpurea* in neurocosmetics: the benefits for the skin'

As we have known for a long time, there is a deep connection between the skin and the mind, an intimate link that has attracted the interest of the scientific community and beauty experts.

The skin, in fact, is able to respond to our mental state in surprising ways, manifesting very common symptoms such as skin rashes, eczema, or sensations of superficial tension. It is an extraordinary organ that acts as a mediator between us and the external world, a barrier that provides us with valuable information to better understand the environment around us.

Stress in the relationship between skin and brain

This dynamic relationship between mind and skin reveals the importance of the nervous system in the perception and management of sensations and emotions. It is not surprising, therefore, that many skin conditions can arise from an altered psychological state. Dermatitis and dry skin are just a few examples of how psychological or even physical stress can influence skin health.

Stress can indeed be defined as an environmental or physical pressure that elicits a response from the organism, a positive evolutionary factor that forces the body to react and adapt to the new circumstance that arises.

Biologically, during a stressful situation, the so-called "stress hormones" are released by the HPA hypothalamic pituitary which include adrenaline and cortisol.

Adrenaline serves to accelerate the heart rate while also increasing blood pressure, while cortisol creates a spike in energy that helps in the fight-or-flight response.

Stress generally dissipates in 3 steps: 

1. Alarm, that is the release of hormones
2. Resistance, when the body adapts to stress thanks to the hormones present in the body
3. Exhaustion, when resources are lacking. 

Stress in the hectic and busy daily life does not easily dissipate: social pressures, economic problems, work anxieties, worries, relationships, health, pollution, or lack of sleep are common causes of stress that can have a significant impact on people's lives and cause physical and visible symptoms through the appearance of the skin. Living in a perpetual state of stress leads to physical illnesses as well as precarious and dangerous psychological conditions. 

How to combat skin-level stress 

Stress manifests itself at the skin level through a hormonal response or directly due to external oxidative agents such as UV rays, pollution, and chemicals that the skin comes into contact with, for example, unsuitable products or overly aggressive cleansers.

"On our skin, stress manifests itself, as we have seen, in different ways:"

• eczema, acne or flaking
• flushing, rosacea, psoriasis 
• premature aging, lack of brightness and tired appearance (which includes dark circles, bags or other subtle signs).

In this context, neurocosmetics emerges, a field of skin biology that focuses on the use of bioactive ingredients designed to act at the neurological level.

The neurocosmetic products represent an innovative response to combat skin stress and the resulting signs of premature aging. Thanks to the ongoing research of highly functional ingredients, the cosmetic industry is able to improve the interactions between the skin and the nervous system, adopting a holistic approach to skincare.

Neurocosmetics act in various ways, directly influencing the skin's nerve endings or modulating the functions of cells and receptors. Neurocosmetic ingredients, such as biosimilar peptides or plant extracts, are capable of combating stress and modulating the oxidative response. 

The skin cells subjected to biological or physical stress conditions produce CRH, POMC, and ACTH, along with beta-endorphins and cortisol. Thanks to neurocosmetics, it is possible to inhibit the production of cortisol. In this regard, several studies have been conducted on a specific plant also known as Wild Indigo, the Tephrosia Purpurea*. This plant of Indian origin is often found in remote areas such as the western Himalayas and is used in Ayurvedic tradition for its benefits for body and mind. 

The semi of Tephrosia Purpurea* gives rise to the plant extract synthesized as Neurophroline™, selected by LeLang laboratories for the creation of an innovative line of neurocosmetic products designed to restore the delicate balance between skin and brain.

The extract obtained, enriched with specific sugars, including stachyose and chicory inulin, is specifically designed to reduce cortisol production and shows very rapid effectiveness on skin cells (-70% in 2 hours). 

This extract is designed to counteract the effects of daily stress by reducing cortisol production in skin cells and stimulating the release of β-endorphins (+163% within 24 hours, in vitro), thus promoting a sense of well-being overall.

Studies on Neurophroline™

Neurophroline™ has demonstrated its effectiveness both in vitro and in vivo, showing a significant reduction of skin stress and visible signs of stress after just a few weeks of use. Thanks to its anti-stress and regenerating properties, Neurophroline™ can be used in a wide range of cosmetic products for face and body, providing benefits to both the skin and the mind.

"In addition to reducing stress, a significant stimulation in the gene expression involved in the homeostasis of skin cells has been observed. A dose of Neurophroline™ at 1% promoted the expression of the main marker proteins involved in the cellular and oxidative stress response in keratinocytes and fibroblasts."

In this sense, there is a improvement of the epidermal matrix, a reduction of inflammation and redness, and the stimulation of the scavenger activity of superoxide for advanced antioxidant and pollution protection. 

The clinical evaluation of Neurophroline™ conducted on a sample of 24 female volunteers aged between 40 and 67 years, accustomed to living in polluted environments, highlighted a clear improvement in skin tone and brightness, a reduction in the tired appearance of the face, and signs of stress after one month of use. In particular, dark circles and bags under the eyes were reduced, as well as the appearance of redness. 

A new frontier for anti-aging: well-aging 

Today the concept of anti-aging is outdated and it is time to talk about well-aging. The skin is a dynamic organ, which changes and evolves over time and this is an inevitable mechanism. What the new cosmetic science tries to do, meeting modern and common needs, is to allow the skin to age healthily.

Well-aging is a global concept that includes a search for well-being, the elimination of stress and toxins from this product. Skin care is essentially this, a daily care ritual, a relaxing break dedicated to beauty that allows both body and mind to relax. 

LeLang has been a point of reference for all the women and men who seek functional, tested and natural skincare treatments that can enhance everyone's natural beauty for years. For this reason, it has created the new Essentia Spa line based on neurocosmetics and with this, it promotes an innovative concept: to offer sensory experiences that enrich people's daily lives. 

Formulated with neurocosmetic ingredients such as Tephrosia Purpurea* from Neurophroline™, Essentia Spa is at the forefront of skincare, offering products designed to achieve maximum benefit for the skin and the mind.