What is the relationship between neurocosmetics and the skin-brain connection?

The recent focus on health and mindfulness has increased the need for mental anchoring, where individuals seek stability. Neurocosmetics can address both physical and emotional aspects of skincare, fulfilling this need.

Growing consumer awareness of the mind-body connection and the link between physical and emotional well-being is driving an increasing interest in neurocosmetics, making it a rapidly expanding area within the beauty industry​​.

Neurocosmetics: an emerging science in skincare

Neurocosmetics is an innovative field merging neuroscience and skincare, focusing on the intricate communication between the skin and the nervous system. This approach recognizes the skin as a dynamic neuroimmunoendocrine organ that interacts with the brain and responds to emotional stimuli.

The goal of neurocosmetics is to offer holistic benefits by targeting neural receptors and mediators in the skin to improve aesthetics, sensory experiences, and emotional states. This is based on the skin-brain axis, a bidirectional network facilitating constant information exchange between these systems. This interplay highlights that the skin sends sensation and emotion signals to the brain, which then interprets and responds. Conversely, the brain’s state, shaped by emotions and stress, directly impacts skin health and appearance.

What are neurocosmetics and how do they affect the skin?

Neurocosmetics are cosmetic products that act on the cutaneous nervous system or affect cutaneous mediators, incorporating biochemical actions. Applied topically, they safely engage the peripheral cutaneous nervous system or indirectly act on local mediators and neurotransmitters in the skin.

Beyond improving physical attributes, neurocosmetics aim to positively influence mental state or emotions through topical application. A balanced emotional state from cosmetic use can improve skin health and quality, helping combat visible signs of aging. Thus, neurocosmetics goes beyond traditional skincare, exploring the link between mental well-being and skin, recognizing the impact of emotions and stress on skin health and appearance. By acknowledging this connection, neurocosmetics seeks to address root causes of skin concerns linked to emotional and neurological factors, not just superficial symptoms.

The science behind neurocosmetics: the skin-brain axis and its impact on skincare

The science of neurocosmetics is rooted in the shared embryonic origin of the brain and skin from the ectoderm. The skin is a key sensory organ, sending sensations and emotions to the brain for interpretation and response. This communication involves the neuro-immuno-cutaneous system (NICS), integrating the skin, nervous system, and immune system.

A crucial outcome of this communication is the direct impact of mental state on skin health and appearance. The skin reflects our inner state through physiological responses. Stress, defined as the body’s response to disrupt homeostasis, involves stress mediators like CRH, ACTH, and cortisol in the skin. These mediators influence skin conditions and accelerate aging via pathways involving the HPA axis, pro-inflammatory hormones, and cytokines. Understanding these pathways is key to how neurocosmetic interventions can reduce stress’s negative effects on skin (Ascsillán et al., 2024)

What is the relationship between the skin and brain?

The skin and brain have continuous, bidirectional communication, ​​highlighting this as a key component of the mind-body connection. The skin has many nerve endings and sensory receptors detecting touch, temperature, pressure, and pain.

Moreover, the skin can produce and release its own neurotransmitters and neurohormones like serotonin and dopamine. While these neuromediators have local functions, their roles in the skin differ from the central nervous system. For instance, the skin’s neurosensory system transmits comfort and discomfort signals to the brain, affecting overall well-being.

Neurodermatology specifically studies how the brain and nervous system affect skin health, including imbalances in the skin’s nervous system and overactive sensory receptors contributing to sensitivities and disorders.

Neurocosmetics ingredients: how they influence skin health and appearance

Neurocosmetic efficacy relies on neuroactive compounds that act as intermediaries in the skin-nervous system relationship. So, neurocosmetic formulations are designed with ingredients interacting with the skin’s neurosensory system for a multi-dimensional approach to skin health, with the key goal to target inflammatory responses in the skin for a soothed, balanced, and resilient complexion.

Key ingredients and their functions

Neurocosmetic ingredients often influence related pathways by interacting with specific receptors on skin cells.

Botanical extracts are common in neurocosmetics for their bioactive compounds. Provital’s Agascalm™, from Agastache mexicana, is an example designed to protect skin by modulating stress response. It inhibits chemokine release and reduces LKB protein degradation, calming stressed skin.

Senseryn™ further shows Provital’s focus on neurosensory aspects, soothing sensitive skin by modulating overactive nerve receptors and alleviating discomfort. Provital’s R&D explores other natural ingredients interacting positively with the skin’s nervous system.

The role of neurocosmetic products in skin regeneration and anti-aging

Neuroactive compounds can influence the skin’s natural regeneration, vital for a youthful appearance. By supporting the skin’s repair and renewal, neurocosmetics aim for a revitalized complexion. Thus, neurocosmetics are widely used in anti-aging products, targeting skin-nervous system interactions to maintain balance and fight aging signs. “Neuro-relaxing” anti-aging ingredients from plant extracts also leverage the link between relaxation and reduced aging signs.

Neurocosmetics trend: shaping the future of skincare

The global neurocosmetics market is growing significantly, valued at US$ 1.8 billion in 2023 and projected to reach US$ 4.1 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of 7.9%, according Credence Research. This growth is driven by consumer preference for safe, health-beneficial products.

Women consumers are particularly driving market progress by incorporating neurocosmetics into their routines for appearance and well-being. Benefits like enhanced skin health, emotional well-being, sensory experiences, and anti-aging are expected to boost the market.

Brand endorsements and social media also influence consumer behavior. Innovation, partnerships, and collaborations offer future opportunities.

The trend towards personalized skincare using AI and big data is extending to neurocosmetics. Integrating microbiomic science to target skin flora and influence mood via the gut-skin-brain axis is another exciting area. Potential also exists for integrating neuroactive ingredients into makeup.

Finally, emphasis on sustainability and ethical sourcing of natural ingredients is growing as the medical field is exploring neuroactive properties for severe skin conditions. The main challenge in this market is creating ideal multitasking products for each consumer’s unique profile. Despite this, the trend is a significant opportunity for cosmetic companies to innovate and find new benefits and claims, shaping skincare’s future.

How Provital is harnessing the neurocosmetics industry for innovative skincare solutions

Provital is focused on developing innovative, scientifically backed ingredients that harness the skin-brain connection.

Wonderage™ represents the perfect example of an increased capacity for science-backed claims, as part of its efficacy testing, we conducted a neurostudy study on a panel of women with mature skin.

While the women were responding to questionnaires (which are called neuro-surveys) on their appearance and how they felt as they watched a video, their facial expressions (facial coding) were analyzed using Artificial Intelligence technology. Then, the differential results of the conscious mind responses could be compared to those of the subconscious mind with scientific rigor, translating emotions into results.

Subconsciously, 58% of the volunteers stated that they felt amazing, were happy and had a greater quality of life, 29 percentage points above what their conscious mind stated. The same was true for satisfaction and enthusiasm, with the subconscious level exceeding the conscious mind’s evaluation by 34 and 30 percentage points, at 63% and 67%, respectively.

By providing validated, effective, and innovative raw materials, we aim to shape the future of neuro skincare, enabling brands to create products addressing both physical health and emotional well-being.

For further information or insights on neurocosmetics, please do not hesitate to contact our team of experts, who are available to provide guidance and support in selecting the most suitable solutions for your requirements.