Fenchem moves in on beauty from within

According to German market analyst Analyse and Realise, the global market for cosmeceuticals is currently valued at around US $60bn, with a growth rate of 8 to 12 per cent.

The term cosmeceutical refers to both topical and products with active properties.

Oral products are also known by a number of other names, such as 'skinceuticals' and 'nutricosmetics'.

Fenchem's product line up includes HyaMax sodium hyaluronate, marketing as playing a role in tissue hydration, and therefore helping to smooth and soften skin and reduce wrinkles.

It also has a series of antioxidants " designed to hinder free radicals' potential to damage long-term cell and tissue integrity ".

These are Nutra-Red lycopene, LuMarin lutein, Grapurit grape seed extract and Liveflax flax lignan.

A spokesperson for the company claimed that Fenchem is the first Chinese player to offer ingredients aimed at beauty from within, and it has signalled their intention to develop more ingredients for the market.

The move may be interpreted as a further sign of this product category's potential, since Chinese firms are noted for following western product and ingredient trends.

Fenchem has previously introduced an oral hyaluronic acid for joint health supplements - another category popular in the West, especially since the withdrawal of Vioxx.

It has also achieved novel foods clearance of the sale of its Choleval plant sterols in Europe, aimed at addressing high cholesterol levels.

Speaking at the Vitafoods International conference in Geneva last week, Joerg Gruenwald of Analyse and Realise said that the cosmeceuticals market could be spurred by the new health claims regulations for food in Europe.

Since cosmetics are not generally subject to the same stringent rules as foods and supplements, more companies may tout the beauty benefits of their products instead of talking up their health benefits.