Beauty

Silab unveils Metallomia for ferritinophagy deficiency in menopausal skin

Linnea NordvikNovember 12, 20265 min read1 views

At a glance

  • The French ingredient maker says the detoxifying active targets iron handling in menopausal skin, with reported barrier, radiance and pigment-spot benefits.
  • Silab has introduced Metallomia, a patented detoxifying active ingredient for menopausal skin that targets deficient ferritinophagy and iron release. The company reports improved skin barrier, complexion uniformity and reduced pigment spots in volunteer studies, and sources the ingredient from marshmallow roots through a traced French supply chain.
A translucent skin cross-section paired with marshmallow root and an aqueous active ingredient on a laboratory bench under soft light.

Silab has unveiled Metallomia, a detoxifying active ingredient developed for menopausal skin. The French manufacturer says the ingredient specifically targets a deficiency in ferritinophagy, the process that ensures controlled iron release to meet cellular needs. Silab positions Metallomia around what it calls metallo-aging, a form of premature skin aging linked to insufficient bioavailable iron during menopause.

According to Silab, a novel modeling study of menopausal skin showed a deficiency in ferritinophagy. This deficiency reduces bioavailable iron and contributes to premature skin aging, the company says. UV exposure can intensify the process: Silab explains that UV favors degradation of iron/ferritin complexes, leading to massive and uncontrolled iron release and significant oxidative stress.

Mechanism and reported effects

Metallomia is designed to relaunch ferritinophagy in menopausal skin. Silab says this facilitates the provision of iron and restarts key epidermal functions. The ingredient is also described as reducing iron/ferritin complexes, which the company says limits oxidative stress after UV exposure. Through this targeted mechanism, Silab claims metallo-aging is significantly reduced.

In company-reported volunteer results, Caucasian participants showed revitalized skin by 14 days, with a reinforced skin barrier and a more unified, radiant complexion. In Asian volunteers, pigment spots were significantly reduced after 28 days, according to Silab. When Caucasian volunteers applied the ingredient before UV exposure, the company reports it prevented lipid peroxidation, and the appearance of redness was limited within hours after exposure. The supplied material does not include full study protocols or sample sizes, so these results are company-reported.

Marshmallow root sourcing and processing

For Metallomia's development, Silab examined the molecular composition of marshmallow roots, which are particularly rich in mucilages. The company established a traced supply chain with French partners. Silab says the supply has been validated against criteria in the European Pharmacopoeia and authenticated through DNA barcoding. To access the root's mucilage content, the company developed a specific enzyme engineering process to extract polyuronides.

Formulation and positioning

Metallomia is a patented active ingredient recommended for all care products intended for menopausal skin at a dose of 0.5% to 2%. It is available in aqueous solution and is described as easy to formulate. Silab says the ingredient complies with biodiversity regulations and has 100% natural origin content under ISO 16128. It also complies with international cosmetics regulations in markets including Europe, the United States, China and Japan, according to the company.

The ingredient is positioned for menopausal skin care with a defined use level and a plant-derived raw material. Its claims center on a ferritinophagy-based mechanism and on limiting oxidative stress linked to UV exposure, while the reported timing and benefits should be read as Silab's findings.

Reported by Linnea Nordvik, Salon Equipment and Beauty Tools Writer.