Description

Prunus Mume Extract is derived from the Prunus mume fruit, commonly known as Japanese plum or ume. It is used in various cosmetic and skincare products for its beneficial properties.

Chemical Composition and Structure:

Key Components: Contains a range of bioactive compounds including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and organic acids. These components contribute to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating properties.
Structure: Composed of various secondary metabolites that enhance its therapeutic and cosmetic benefits, helping to improve skin health and appearance.

Physical Properties:

Appearance: Typically a light brown or reddish-brown substance, available in liquid or powder form depending on the extraction method and concentration.
Odor: Generally subtle, often described as slightly nutty or herbal.
Solubility: Soluble in oils and alcohols; water solubility may vary based on processing methods.

Production Process:

Harvesting: The Prunus mume fruits are harvested, usually when fully ripe to ensure high concentrations of bioactive compounds.
Extraction: Methods such as solvent extraction, cold pressing, or supercritical fluid extraction are used to obtain the extract while preserving active compounds.
Purification: The extract is purified to remove unwanted materials and enhance the concentration of beneficial compounds.
Formulation: The purified extract is incorporated into various cosmetic and therapeutic products.

Applications:

Cosmetics: Used in skincare products like creams, lotions, and serums for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating properties. It helps improve skin texture and hydration.
Pharmaceuticals: May be included in formulations for its potential therapeutic benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Personal Care: Used in products designed to soothe and condition the skin.

Environmental and Safety Considerations:

Environmental Impact: Sustainable harvesting and processing practices are important to minimize environmental impact and ensure the conservation of Prunus mume species.
Safety: Generally regarded as safe for topical application. However, like all extracts, it should be used in accordance with established guidelines to avoid potential allergic reactions or skin irritations. People with allergies or very sensitive skin should be careful.

INCI Functions:


Antioxidant agent. Ingredient that counteracts oxidative stress and prevents cell damage. Free radicals, pathological inflammatory processes, reactive nitrogen species and reactive oxygen species are responsible for the ageing process and many diseases caused by oxidation.

Cosmetic astringent. This ingredient exerts a direct effect on the skin by tightening dilated pores by contracting stratum corneum cells and removing superfluous oil.

Humectant. Hygroscopic compound used to minimise water loss in the skin and to prevent it from drying out by facilitating faster and greater absorption of water into the stratum corneum of the epidermis. The epidermis is the most superficial of the three layers that make up human skin (epidermis, dermis and hypodermis) and is the layer that maintains hydration in all three layers. In turn, the epidermis is composed of five layers: horny, the most superficial, granular, spinous, shiny, and basal. Humectants have the ability to retain the water they attract from the air in the stratum corneum and have the function of moisturising the skin. They are best used before emollients, which are oil-based.

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

Skin protectant. It creates a protective barrier on the skin to defend it from harmful substances, irritants, allergens, pathogens that can cause various inflammatory conditions. These products can also improve the natural skin barrier and in most cases more than one is needed to achieve an effective result.
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