When it comes to anti-ageing, consumers want to see a reduction in lines, wrinkles and sagging skin,” explains Givaudan Active Beauty. Indeed, according to a recent study conducted by the manufacturer of active cosmetic ingredients, 75% of women consider these signs of ageing most responsible for looking older. [1]

To address this concern, Givaudan Active Beauty presents Sericoside, a natural active ingredient able to rejuvenate and regenerate the skin, two claims loved by 66% of consumers when asked for expected antiageing benefits of a skincare product.

Pure natural extract

Sericoside is crafted by green fractionation from Terminalia sericea roots, an African Silver tree whose name reveals the activity of the extract, as the adjective sericea, in ancient Latin, means “silky, smooth as silk”. According to Givaudan, it can offer skin a second youth by “resetting its cellular memory.

Sericoside is a pure molecule obtained from the roots of Terminalia sericea, a tree that grows in the miombo forest of Central and Southern Africa. Through cellular reprogramming, Sericoside acts on multiple aspects of skin regeneration, activating many endogenous resources like antioxidant defences to reduce undereye bag and dark circles while also firming the skin. As an anti-ageing ingredient, Sericoside acts on skin texture and density by reducing wrinkles, fatigue and roughness aspects,” explained Giada Maramaldi, Personal Care Category Manager at Givaudan Active Beauty.

Significant results even at low dosage

Clinically tested on volunteers, Sericoside demonstrates significant results when formulated at low dosage (0.5%). Several parameters, all indicators of ageing, were evaluated during the study: skin elasticity and firmness were assessed by means of a cutometer on the right cheek at the baseline, at D15 and D30. According to Givaudan, fter only one month of application, skin tonicity had improved by 19.8% and signs of fatigue decreased by 16.5%. A positive effect was also visible on dark circles with 45% of the panel showing a perceptible improvement, along with a reduction in the volume of under-eye bags.

Eye-contour cream

These results have inspired Givaudan’s Active Beauty team to develop a brand new marketing concept, Dream Contour, an eye-contour cream powered by Sericoside to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and dark circles and restore a youthful look. This 2-in-1 cream is also formulated with Escin, a natural ingredient crafted from horse chestnut, and Eliorelys, designed from cherry tree blossoms, to improve signs of ageing while instantly reducing under-eye puffiness thanks to its smoothing blur effect.