Butylene Glycol, Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract

Butylene Glycol, Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract is an original specialty cosmetic ingredient produced by biofermentation from the cells of a strain of red marine algae Ahnfeltia concinna. In addition to a number of important proteoglycans, polypeptides and peptides, the strain also yields hexosamine (glycosamino) containing polysaccharides (glycans) and stereo isomers of D-galactopyranose and its sulpfate.

The molecular weight (280,000 Daltons) of these hexosamine-containing glycans strongly contributes to Butylene Glycol, Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract's enhanced lubricity, humectancy and moisturizing potential it confers on finished products into which it is formulated. Contained within this fraction is a high content of 4-hydroxyproline, an unusual amino acid rarely found in proteins other than collagen. The rich hydroxyproline content (8%) of Butylene Glycol, Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract's peptides is thought to trigger a signal to the epidermal and dermal cells that a substantial breakdown of collagen has occurred.

Also found in Butylene Glycol, Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract's low molecular weight polypeptide fraction are high concentrations of L-serine, an amino acid active in structuring the skin's natural moisturizing factor, and L-proline, a component also specific to collagen and an important element of its synthesis.

Thus Butylene Glycol, Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract improves skin by