Seppic launches CONTACTICEL™ at the in-Cosmetics Asia trade fair (November 8-10, 2016), a skin-purifying active ingredient from CELEBRITY™, a macro-algae cell culture technology developed by BiotechMarine.

To protect the skin from the ravages of pollution, Seppic is innovating with CONTACTICEL™, a skin-purifying active ingredient. 92% of the world’s population lives in an environment that is too polluted,^[1] which causes numerous adverse impacts on the skin, such as early aging, cutaneous malfunctions or over-production of sebum.

CONTACTICEL™ is an extract from a little known red algae, Acrochaetium moniliforme which lives in contact with other algae. In association with other micro-organisms, it helps to protect its host against outside aggressions^[2].

Drawing inspiration from the properties of this algae, Seppic’s new active ingredient offers the skin protection against pollution: in two months, it effectively reduces the sebum of skin exposed to a polluted atmosphere with a visible and lasting result. CONTACTICEL™ is an exceptional skin-purifying agent that works against several pollutants (ozone, microparticles, heavy metals) through its combined properties.^[2]

After EPHEMER™, CONTACTICEL™ is the second active ingredient that Seppic has developed with the innovative technology CELEBRITY™, which makes it possible here to produce large quantities of biomass from an algae that could not be cultivated or harvested in its natural setting.

Erwan Le Gélébart, R&D project manager for BiotechMarine, confirms: “This innovative technology enables us once again to enhance a rare marine species and draw inspiration to create an original active ingredient that promotes healthy skin. It’s a great example of bio-inspiration!”