Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Water, commonly known as kiwi water, is derived from the aqueous part of the kiwi fruit (Actinidia chinensis). It contains vitamins, particularly vitamin C, antioxidants, and minerals, which provide conditioning, moisturizing, and protective benefits to the skin. This natural ingredient is widely used in cosmetic formulations for its toning and refreshing properties, making it ideal for products designed to improve skin health and radiance.
Chemical Composition and Structure
Kiwi water contains vitamin C, flavonoids, polyphenols, and minerals such as potassium, which help improve skin elasticity and protect against oxidative damage. These compounds nourish and hydrate the skin, leaving it looking healthy and radiant.
Physical Properties
Kiwi water appears as a clear or slightly cloudy liquid, with a color ranging from light yellow to pale green. It is easily water-soluble and is used in a variety of cosmetic products, such as toners, serums, moisturizers, and facial lotions, thanks to its refreshing and hydrating properties.
Production Process
Kiwi water is obtained through the distillation or extraction of the aqueous component of kiwi fruit. During this process, essential nutrients and antioxidants from the fruit are preserved, ensuring a natural and effective product for use in cosmetic formulations.
Harvesting the Fruit: Kiwis 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 fruit water is of high quality.
Extraction: The cleaned fruits undergo an extraction process where they are immersed in hot or cold water for a specified period. During this process, the bioactive compounds, vitamins, and minerals are transferred from the inside of the fruits to the water.
Filtration: Once the extraction process is complete, the mixture is filtered to remove solids and residues, resulting in a clear water rich in nutrients.
Quality Control and Packaging: Finally, Actinidia chinensis fruit water undergoes quality control checks to verify its purity, efficacy, and compliance with standards. After analysis, it is packaged in bottles or appropriate containers for distribution and use in cosmetic and food products.
Applications
Moisturizing Products: Kiwi water is ideal for hydrating dry and dehydrated skin, improving softness and texture.
Toners and Refreshing Sprays: Thanks to its toning and refreshing properties, it is often used in facial toners and sprays to revitalize tired skin.
Skin Conditioning: Kiwi water is used in skin-conditioning products, helping improve skin elasticity and protecting it from environmental damage.
INCI Functions:
Fragrance. It plays a very important role in the formulation of cosmetic products as it provides the possibility of enhancing, masking or adding fragrance to the final product, increasing its marketability. It is able to create a perceptible pleasant odour, masking a bad smell. The consumer always expects to find a pleasant or distinctive scent in a cosmetic product.
Health and Safety Considerations
Safety in Use
Kiwi water is considered safe for use in cosmetics. No significant side effects have been reported, but as with any botanical ingredient, a patch test is recommended before use, especially on sensitive skin.
Allergic Reactions
Allergic reactions to kiwi water are rare, but individuals with kiwi fruit allergies should exercise caution and perform a patch test before use.
Toxicity and Carcinogenicity
It is considered safe and beneficial for the skin, thanks to its moisturizing and refreshing properties.
Environmental Considerations
Kiwi water is sourced from a renewable and sustainable resource. The extraction process is eco-friendly and efficiently uses the fruit, contributing to waste reduction.
Regulatory Status
Kiwi water is approved for use in cosmetic products 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
