What’s the relationship between our biological clocks and skin condition?

Japanese ingredient researcher and developer, Ichimaru Pharcos, first started looking at the clock gene 15 years ago, research professor Arunasiri Iddamalgoda, explained. The company wanted to identify how the skin barrier function is controlled by skin clock.

Clock gene​

In 2017, researchers Jeffrey Hall, Michael Rosbash and Michael Young were awarded the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine, bringing conversations around circadian rhythms to the forefront of global science, medicine and now, cosmetics. 

While originally the focus was spent on skin diseases and pharmaceuticals, discoveries now reveal that this understanding has cores applications for the cosmetics industry. After conducting research, Ichimaru Pharcos investigated the impact that the clock gene can have on the skin barrier. Through understanding the cosmetics function of the clock gene, new formulations and innovations can be created.

Chrono Chardy, Ichimaru Pharcos' active cosmetics ingredient, is one such product. Ichimaru Pharcos undertook "original research and storytelling"​, Arunasiri Iddamalgoda added. Chrono Chardy was voted the best ingredient at both the 2017 and 2018 China’s Personal Care and Homecare Ingredients (PCHi) events. 

What influences our biological clock?​

A number of factors influence how our skin biological clock performs. Stress and hectic lifestyles, ageing, light pollution and working patterns all affect our skin.  

The rapid evolution and uptake of technology throughout the day and into the night can also influence our body clocks. Arunasiri Iddamalgoda highlights that as the world becomes more mobile, we remain in daytime mode for longer and, therefore, as an industry, we cannot underestimate the impact this can have on our skin.

Managing our skin clock​

To enhance the skin clock, the genre has to function optimally to activate. Maximum repair is needed at night. Chrono Chardy, launched in April 2018, can control the skin’s clock gene, otherwise known as the biological clock. The cosmetics active ingredient is able to increase the skin barrier function along with the skin's brightness and moisture. In addition, its anti-ageing properties lower wrinkle formation.

Chrono Chardy is produced used the chardonnay grape. Ichimaru Pharcos found that when compared to other grape variants, the chardonnay grape demonstrated positive properties for skin clock enhancement.

Every person has a 24-hour rhythm and includes our sleep cycle, which plays an important role in skin condition. A well-adjusted skin biological clock will provide moisture in the day, enabling the skin’s barrier and ability to produce collagen increase during the night.

Chrono Chardy lifts the clock gene process, known as Period promoting moisture, through the day. The BMAL1 also improves the skin barrier function at night by boosting ceramide transportation capabilities. Research results also show that the raw anti-ageing material induces COL1A1 mRNA to help create collagen production in dermal fibroblast during the night.