Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, commonly known as kiwi fruit extract, is obtained from the mature fruits of the kiwi plant (Actinidia chinensis). This extract contains vitamin C, antioxidants, fatty acids, and polyphenols, providing numerous benefits for the skin, including hydration, cell regeneration, and protection against environmental damage. Due to its antioxidant and nutrient-rich properties, it is widely used in cosmetic products to enhance skin radiance and elasticity.
Chemical Composition and Structure
Kiwi fruit extract contains a combination of vitamins (especially vitamin C), flavonoids, polyphenols, minerals, and fatty acids. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that stimulates collagen production and helps fight signs of aging. Polyphenols and flavonoids offer protection against free radicals, contributing to preventing oxidative damage to the skin.
Physical Properties
Kiwi fruit extract is water-soluble and appears as a clear or slightly cloudy liquid, with a color ranging from light green to pale yellow. It is used in a wide range of skincare products, including serums, lotions, moisturizers, and masks, thanks to its hydrating and protective properties.
Production Process
The extract is produced through an aqueous or solvent-based extraction process from the mature fruits of Actinidia chinensis. During extraction, bioactive compounds such as vitamins and antioxidants are isolated and concentrated, preserving essential nutrients to ensure a high-quality extract suitable for use in cosmetic formulations.
Harvesting the Fruit: Actinidia chinensis fruits are harvested when ripe. It is essential to follow sustainable harvesting practices to ensure the quality of the plant material.
Cleaning: After harvesting, the fruits are cleaned to remove dirt, residues, and impurities. This step is crucial to ensure that the final extract is of high quality.
Drying: The cleaned fruits may undergo a drying process to remove moisture. This helps preserve the active properties and facilitates subsequent extraction.
Extraction: The extraction of active principles occurs using appropriate solvents, such as water, ethanol, or methanol. The dried fruits are immersed in the solvent, and the mixture is agitated or heated to promote the release of bioactive compounds.
Filtration: Once the extraction process is complete, the obtained solution is filtered to remove undissolved solids, resulting in a liquid extract containing the active principles of the fruits.
Concentration: The extract may be further concentrated by evaporating the solvent to obtain a product richer in nutrients and with greater stability.
Quality Control and Packaging: Finally, Actinidia chinensis fruit extract undergoes quality control checks to verify its purity, efficacy, and compliance with standards. After analysis, it is packaged for distribution and use in dietary supplements and cosmetic products.
Applications
Antioxidant Products: With its high content of vitamin C and polyphenols, kiwi fruit extract is ideal for protecting the skin from free radical damage and enhancing natural skin radiance.
Regenerative Skincare: The extract promotes cell regeneration, helping to improve skin texture and elasticity, making it ideal for anti-aging treatments.
Hydration and Protection: Kiwi fruit extract’s moisturizing and nourishing properties make it an effective ingredient in products for dry and dehydrated skin, improving appearance and softness.
INCI Functions:
Skin conditioning agent - Emollient. Emollients have the characteristic of enhancing the skin barrier through a source of exogenous lipids that adhere to the skin, improving barrier properties by filling gaps in intercorneocyte clusters to improve hydration while protecting against inflammation. In practice, they have the ability to create a barrier that prevents transepidermal water loss. Emollients are described as degreasing or refreshing additives that improve the lipid content of the upper layers of the skin by preventing degreasing and drying of the skin. The problem with emollients is that many have a strong lipophilic character and are identified as occlusive ingredients; they are oily and fatty materials that remain on the skin surface and reduce transepidermal water loss. In cosmetics, emollients and moisturisers are often considered synonymous with humectants and occlusives.
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.
CAS: 92456-63-8 296-241-6
Health and Safety Considerations
Safety in Use
Kiwi fruit extract is considered safe for cosmetic and skincare use. It is well tolerated by most skin types and poses no significant risks of irritation. Major regulatory authorities, such as the European Union and the FDA, approve the use of this extract in cosmetic formulations.
Allergic Reactions
Allergic reactions to kiwi fruit extract are rare, but individuals with kiwi allergies should be cautious and test the product on a small area of skin before use.
Toxicity and Carcinogenicity
It is considered safe and beneficial for the skin due to its nutrient-rich and antioxidant properties.
Environmental Considerations
Kiwi fruit extract is derived from a renewable and sustainable source. The extraction process has minimal environmental impact and efficiently utilizes the fruit, reducing waste.
Regulatory Status
Kiwi fruit extract is approved for use in cosmetics by major regulatory authorities, including the European Union and the FDA in the United States.
Studies
Kiwis contain on average:
- Vitamin C Ascorbic acid in the following measures (Cultivar Actinidia chinenssis Plach, Gaivard): mg/g 5,44 in the juice, 1,14 in the skin, 4,20 in the pulp (1).
- Vitamin E
- Potassium
It has good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties due to the presence of ascorbic acid.
Flavonoids, vitamin C and carotenoids have a preventive effect against cardiovascular diseases (2).
Kiwi has proven effective in relieving chronic constipation (3) with these benefits:
- decreased in days of laxative used
- satisfaction of bowel habit
- improvement in transit time
- improvement in rectal sensation
