Protect and glow: Lipoid Kosmetik eyes potential in APAC for carrot-based anti-blue light active

Carotolino is based on the unique and stable combination of carrot root extract, carrot seed oil and beta-carotene.

It acts as a defensive shield against blue light while reducing blue light-induced oxidative stress.

“There are two different approaches to blue light protection, one is to inhibit reactive oxygen species by one way or the other but that is a very general concept. We wanted to have something more, something that filters the blue light.” ​said Dr Peter Röthlisberger, managing director of Lipoid Kosmetik 

In order to filter blue light, the firm turned to carotenoids, which naturally filters out blue light.

“In photography, if you want to photograph the blue skies and have bright clouds, you will need an orange filter. It became pretty clear that this product was going to be an orange-coloured product to block out the blue light,” ​said Röthlisberger.

Vivid benefit

Due to this orange tone, the active was found to optimise our skin colour and made it livelier in appearance.

Röthlisberger added that the firm was aware that an orange-toned product that could affect the skin tone would raise eyebrows in the APAC market.

“In the beginning, we were actually afraid this would affect the product in Asia. During our first discussions, people were hesitant, and we were told Asians don’t like adding colour to their creams and their skin.”​

The firm conducted an experiment with nine volunteers that self-assessed their appearance after applying a product with the active.

The volunteers noticed their skin had a livelier and healthier glow on the skin without making it too orange.

Additionally, the volunteers noted they would pay more for the cream with Carotolino compared to the placebo.

“The volunteers said they would pay two euros more for Carotolino, just an added cost of two cent. It really adds value,”​ said Röthlisberger.

Additionally, the firm developed an application to demonstrate the skin vibrancy effect of the active.

“This is what convinced the people to at least try the product… and now we see quite a good demand from the Asian market,” ​said Röthlisberger.

Recently, the firm was validated with a PCHi Fountain Award for its work with Carotolino.

Röthlisberger said: “It’s fantastic to receive one of the most prestigious awards in China and Asia.”​

Moving forward, the firm plans to target the APAC market where it sees the most potential for Carotolino.

He noted that about 50% of anti-pollution ingredients are sold in East and South East Asia the firm believes this would continue driving the global market growth.

“Asia was the driver of the anti-pollution market. At first it was thought to only have an effect of people in the big cities, but more people are starting to realise they need more protection. This trend will increase because of the rising awareness on the effect of mobile devices on the skin and we see that this trend will be driven by the Asian market, like China.”​ said Röthlisberger.