Vytrus Biotech, the company specialized in active ingredients derived from plant stem cells for the cosmetic industry, has recently launched its latest biotech active PHOTOBIOME - the microbiota photoprotector - and has been shortlisted at the Innovation Awards of in-cosmetics Global 2023 and the BSB Innovation awards.

Vytrus has created a prebiotic active ingredient that fights microbial-induced photoageing by modulating the relation between skin microbiota and solar radiation. 

This novelty has been chosen amongst the few nominees of the Innovation awards at in-cosmetics Global 2023, the world leading event for personal care ingredients. The innovation will be showcased by Vytrus technical team at its stand M60 from 28 to 30 March in the show celebrated in Barcelona (Spain). Also, Photobiome has been nominated for the BSB Innovation Awards 2023 whose resolution will take place on March 28^th in the city of Barcelona as well.

Photobiome opens the door to a new category of Microbial Antioxidants by helping our skin microbiota photoprotect itself by protecting and nourishing bacteria, modulating the release of its own natural photo-defense molecules that improves the signs of the photoageing process on the skin.

The Photobiome Factor: a new key player in the skin photoageing

The biotechnology company introduces a new cosmetic concept, the Photobiome Factor: the specific microbial community that has a special relation with solar radiation and its metabolic behaviour, impacting on our skin. These microorganisms can interact with sun radiation and produce specific metabolites.

Among these metabolites, microbial melanin and urolithins stand out. Both compounds photo-protect the skin microbiota and are part of the skin’s natural photo-defense system. If the conditions are not favorable - like with an excessive sun exposure - the population of these protecting microbes is dramatically reduced, the production of urolithins and melanin is decreased, and the cutaneous synthesis of harmful metabolites gets higher, worsening the skin photo-induced damage and photo-ageing.

The new active Photobiome modulates bacteria metabolism and stimulates them to produce photo-defense molecules that are beneficial for the skin cells. The active counteract and protect the microbiota and the skin cells from the photo-oxidative stress of the harmful sun radiation.

The new Sun-Microbiota-Skin axis

Vytrus has been researching in the microbiota field for 10 years, starting from the discovery of respectfully ‘hacking’ bacterial communication through ‘Quorum Sensing’ molecules produced by Noni cell cultures. This led to the first launch of products with the ability to inhibit bacterial virulence: Quora Noni™ to treat acne-prone skin and Deobiome Noni™ to regulate body odor as a biological deodorant. Then, Vytrus discovered the relevance of the Microbiota-Skin-Brain axis, demonstrating with Kannabia Sense™ the ability of microorganisms to influence the regulation of skin hormones, such as oxytocin, and their impact on emotional well-being. In recent years, Vytrus has focused on the influence of the microbiota on the ageing process, and as a result of this development Quora Noni™ biomics has shown that the skin can be rejuvenated by rejuvenating the skin microbiota by balancing the "Senile Biome Markers".

Now Vytrus unveils with Photobiome its latest scientific advances in the microbiota field and describes a new biological approach: the Sun-Microbiota-Skin axis, elucidating the important role of the microbiota in relation to the effects of solar radiation on the skin, either in favor or to the detriment of the skin tissue. The active combats the skin photo-ageing from excessive sun exposure by photoprotecting the skin microbiota.

The story of an innovation inspired by nature

Photobiome is a 100% natural active ingredient from stem cells of pomegranate (Punica granatum) and cotton from desertic and semi-arid regions of the Near and the Middle East (Gossypium herbaceum). Through a new technological platform of Phyto-Cell Fusions, Vytrus combines a Phyto-Lipidic Fraction (PLF) of P. granatumwith a Plasma Rich in Cell Factors (PRCF) of G. herbaceum. This way, Vytrus obtains a synergistic effect of prevention from photo-ageing by photoprotecting the skin microbiota.

Crossing frontiers in sun care and well-ageing through biotechnology 

Photobiome involves a new paradigm in the suncare and well-ageing markets and a step forward and a scientific discovery in the microbiota field. This new category of biotechnology-based active ingredients offers cosmetic formulations new pathways to protect and repair skin photodamage with a sustainable solution based on plant biotechnology:

• Preventive & treating antioxidant formulations
• Tackling photoageing - products to take care of wrinkles (crow’s feet area, bar code, eye contour)
• Preventive & reparative suncare formulations
• Treatments to improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation

Vytrus Biotech is a company specialized in the development, production and commercialization of high added value active ingredients based on plant stem cell culture technology for cosmetic and dermocosmetic industry. Positioning as a pioneer in the use of this technology for business purposes gives Vytrus Biotech a solid foundation on which to build a sustainable competitive advantage. Through this technology, it is possible to obtain natural, patentable, and efficient products. Vytrus has a team of more than 30 employees in its headquarters in Terrassa (Barcelona, Spain) and is present in Europe, USA, LATAM and Asia, among others, through its international network of distributors.

The biotech company has been awarded with ‘Gold Best Ingredient Award’ at in-cosmetics Latin America and Asia 2022 for its active Elaya Renova™, ‘Best Ingredient Award’ worldwide at in-cosmetics Global 2020 for two of its latest ingredients (Kannabia Sense™ and Deobiome Noni™), ‘Gold Best Ingredient Award’ at in-cosmetics Global 2019 for its active Olea Vitae™, amongst other cosmetic awards worldwide.