PhytoFuse Renew®
Formerly known as PhytoPlex Renew
Preserved with Leucidal Liquid SF
Plant is famous for surviving long periods of desiccation only to spring back to “life” in the presence of moisture by means of its highly adapted Moisture Retention Complex. This system, based on the complex interplay of monoterpenes, flavonoids and polysaccharides, is optimized to bind and retain water. Advances in plant tissue culture allow us to sustainably isolate the Moisture Retention Complex under controlled growth conditions as PhytoFuse. Topical application provides intense long-term moisturization and a prolonged sensation of skin smoothing, while initial research evaluating skin density points to a potential role in improved skin tone. Incorporation of PhytoFuse into skin or hair applications improves tactile properties while delivering an intense Moisture Retention Complex perfected over thousands of years by adaptation to desert life.
Selaginella Lepidophylla, also called Resurrection Plant or Rose of Jericho, is a botanical native to the Chihuahua Desert in Mexico. The desert provides a unique set of challenges to plant life such as extremely low humidity levels and elevated temperatures year round. The Rose of Jericho is mostly noted for its ability to withstand almost total desiccation for long periods of time and then fully recovering when exposed to elevated moisture levels, hence the name “Resurrection Plant”. This plant’s secondary metabolites consist of a complex of enzymes and stress response elements that work synergistically to prevent significant damage during desiccation and promote repair during rehydration.
During desiccation, the Rose of Jericho is exposed to two different types of stress, mechanical and oxidative stress. Mechanical stress is the tension within the plasma membrane and cellular wall that occurs due to the loss of turgor pressure. The strategy employed by this plant to prevent possible rupture of the plasma membrane due to this type of stress is the folding of the cell wall. The folding forces the plant to curl and wilt making it appear lifeless. Upon exposure to high moisture levels, the plant bursts open recovering the appearance of life.
The second type of stress, oxidative stress, is responsible for triggering the production of the moisture-retentive system of the Rose of Jericho which is comprised of polysaccharides, enzymes, stress response proteins and polyphenols. Interestingly, the activity and stability of all these compounds is completely dependent on each other and thus they work synergistically to protect and repair. Polysaccharides are long chain carbohydrates capable of stabilizing biomolecules and assemblages such as cell wall membranes. They also have the ability to sequester water to keep the plant hydrated during drought preventing complete desiccation. During re-hydration, polysaccharides mobilize water through the system and increase cellular metabolism to accelerate the repair process.
In the case of the enzymes, their main role in the system is to boost carbohydrate metabolism to repair the damage caused during desiccation. This clearly indicates that the activity of the polysaccharides is dependent on the activity of the enzymes. However, the integrity of the enzymes is generally compromised during desiccation. This is caused by protein aggregation, a biological phenomenon in which miss-folded proteins accumulate and clump together reducing the protein activity.
PhytoFuse was designed to provide the protective, moisture-retentive, and reparative benefits of the secondary metabolites produced by the Rose of Jericho during stress. We isolated the intact system of iridoids from this resurrection plant that helps achieve potent anti-aging, film-forming, water-holding and soothing effects. Additionally, the complex carbohydrate system present in PhytoFuse also provides excellent emollient benefits which make it an ideal plant-derived alternative to silicon elastomer solutions to enhancing the aesthetics of the skin and finished products.
PhytoFuse allows formulator’s to achieve multiple potent benefits for skin and hair utilizing a plant derived material. PhytoFuse is ideal for use in a wide range of applications such as creams, lotions, gels and even color cosmetics to rejuvenate and repair damaged skin while providing softening and emollient benefits for a luxuriant appearance.
Benefits of PhytoFuse:
Enhanced Aesthetics
Intense Moisturization
Improved Barrier Function
Antioxidant
