CARLEY MIKI¹*, STEPHANIE DEWITTE-ORR², MARIANNA FOLDVARI³, MICHAEL MOORE⁴
*Corresponding author
1. Mirexus Inc., Guelph, Canada
2. Department of Health Sciences and Biology, Wilfred Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada
3. School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
4. Department of Chemistry, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada

Abstract

Phytoglycogen is a safe and natural cosmetic ingredient, chemically identical to the glycogen found in the human body as a source of stored energy. The role of glycogen in the body is well characterized and regarded as an essential part of normal cellular function and health, but its role in skin health is currently less well understood. Recent clinical trials and complementary in vitro studies demonstrate that phytoglycogen isolated from non-GMO sweet corn can improve cellular health and the overall appearance of the skin, from the surface to the cellular level. This paper will discuss the impact phytoglycogen has on the skin and its potential as a new, anti-aging skin care ingredient.

INTRODUCTION

Glycogen, a branched glucose polysaccharide, is one of the body’s primary sources of stored energy. It is naturally found in the tissues of most living organisms and continuously undergoes a cycle of degradation and synthesis as required (Figure 1) through a regulated process involving several enzymes and hormones (1, 2).

Although most of the body’s glycogen is stored in the liver and muscles, a small amount has been found in the epidermis. The same enzymes that synthesize and break down glycogen internally are also found in the skin, although their activity and regulation differs (3, 4). In a study where the concentration of the end products of glycogen metabolism were determined in the skin, it was found that the majority of glucose is degraded to lactic acid (~ 75%) through glycolysis (1, 5, 6). 

The glycogen concentration in the epidermis has been measured to be 0.465 µg/mg of epidermis and remains largely the same over time. However, the concentration increases when the epidermis is stressed, such as when sunburned or stripped, and has also been found in higher quantities in psoriasis lesions. These findings ...