Biosaccharide Gum-1 can sound like a name taken right out of a chemistry book! However, this little fellow is a powerful multitasker and a star skincare ingredient of the Korean beauty trend. So, if you want to get one step closer to the "Fountain of Youth," keep reading to find out everything about this ingredient.

In the constant search for powerful actives to upgrade your skincare routine, you can stumble upon frequent flyers like hyaluronic acid, retinol, AHAs, and BHAs. But, the skincare trends are taking a turn to innovative ingredients.

There is a common belief that one product can't do it all. But what if a skincare ingredient can exceed expectations and give you multiple benefits at once? Those are the true keepers, and Biosaccharide Gum-1 has all the props to be included in this selected group of skincare ingredients!

Let's Talk About Biosaccharide Gum-1 

Biosaccharide Gum-1, better known as Fucogel®, is a sugar (polysaccharide) with a big molecule (high molecular weight) obtained by fermentation. It is used in the form of a solution at 1% (Fucogel® 1.5P, Fucocert®) or in the form of a powder (Fucogel® Powder).

Fucogel® is renowned for being a multitasker in the cosmetic industry. It is fairly easy to formulate, suitable for all types of formulas and applications, and successfully targeting hair and skin needs. Fucogel® is also distinguished for being a soothing, moisturizing, anti-aging, restructuring, and touching agent. This excellent performance profile is summarized with the acronym SMART. So, with Fucogel®, you get five benefits in one!

To sum up, Fucogel® has a dual effect on the skin:

• It forms a coating on the skin surface to maintain moisture effectively.

• It can alleviate irritations, promote longevity factor activity and keratinocyte proliferation.

Indeed, Fucogel® owes its biological activity to its affinity for fucose receptors in the skin. However, it also displays a unique ability to modulate neuronal sensitivity!

Fucogel® Soothing Effect

When chemical substances damage our skin, the pain or tingling sensation you get afterward has a whole neurological process behind it. In the end, the irritation and local inflammation translate into pain sensation.

It all starts when an irritant like lactic acid, for example, comes in contact with the skin. This activates special cellular receptors called ASIC that cause the release of a molecule known as Substance P.

This substance P, in turn, stimulates nerve fibers and gives you the sensation of physical pain and discomfort. Who knew that pain, which seems so immediate and quick, could be this complicated and entail so many steps?

However, to relieve sensitive skin and cope with irritation, it is possible to limit the hyper-reactivity of sensory (pain) nerve fibers. And that's when Fucogel® makes its triumphant entrance! A study found that Fucogel® can significantly inhibit the activation of the ASIC pathway, shown by a 25% decrease in the lactic acid-induced release of Substance P. Hence, by limiting neuronal hyper-reactivity, Fucogel® can relieve pain and stinging sensations¹. This important property is also called neuro-soothing activity due to its mechanism. 

Another study found a decrease in tingling sensations, aka irritation, by nearly 24% in patients after one application of Fucogel® at 3% compared to patients who didn't use the product. So, Fucogel® is shaping itself as a key ingredient in neurocosmetics for sensitive and reactive skin!

Fucogel® Additional Properties

Fucogel® shows a progressive and prolonged moisturizing effect. It has a powerful water-binding ability, even in low-humidity environments, forming a ventilated sugar coating on the skin's surface to prevent water loss through evaporation.

The hyaluronic acid moisturizing effect is immediate but not long-lasting. However, Fucogel®, with a slow and long-standing moisturizing effect, provides a hydration power punch for the skin. This is because skin enzymes easily degrade it into smaller sugar molecules to capture and bind to water naturally. 

Thus, the Fucogel® effect can easily complement hyaluronic acid. They both are a perfect duo and the key to hydrated and plumped skin! Additionally, Fucogel® has recognized anti-aging properties ². It is a compound that can directly affect skin cells, promoting proliferation and stimulating Sirtuins-1, better known as "youth proteins."

Indeed, Sirtuins-1 are markers of cell longevity and control important processes, including DNA repair, resistance to free-radical stress, and cell death. So, even though aging and external aggressions significantly affect Sirtuins-1 synthesis, Fucogel® can induce its expression, promoting cell longevity and fighting early aging signs.

On the other hand, for sensitive skin, Fucogel® is extremely helpful because it activates cell renewal, restoring the quality of the skin barrier. This allows for limiting any sensation of tightness, irritation, and discomfort. Hence, Fucogel® can become a potential skincare ingredient for treating sensitive and fragile skin.

Fucogel®'s Silky Touch!

Last but not least, incorporating Fucogel® into a skincare product can pleasantly increase the soft touch of a formula. It can offer gliding to a product, making it easy to spread and giving you the softness that may bring about comfort and pleasure. A real treat for the senses!

Additionally, Fucogel® "enriches" the touch of aqueous formulas (e.g., lotion) and can give you a non-sticky and shiny effect. Also, it can produce a palpable silkiness pleasant for every user.

So, in the end, Fucogel® is an active ingredient perfectly suitable for different types of cosmetic formulations combining pleasure with effectiveness. Also, it improves the softness of the skin without increasing the viscosity, giving the product an enjoyable feeling.

Fucogel® Smoothing Effect On Hair 

This product is not only effective for the skin but also the hair! Fucogel® has been shown to diminish surface irregularities and smooth hair fibers, both in leave-on and rinse-off conditions. Additionally, the neuro-soothing activity of Fucogel® explained above, comes in handy for sensitive or dry scalp irritated by dandruff or chemicals used in hair dye.

So, if you are a skincare addict and want to keep up with all the latest Korean beauty trends, start by thinking outside the box. Some skincare ingredients can be true hidden gems with multiple benefits for your skin, and  Biosaccharide Gum-1 is a great example of this!