Silab has introduced Metallomia, a detoxifying active ingredient developed for menopausal skin. The French ingredient manufacturer says the product targets a deficiency in ferritinophagy, a process that controls iron release so cells receive the metal they need.
According to Silab, a modeling study of menopausal skin showed that ferritinophagy is deficient during menopause. That deficiency reduces bioavailable iron and, the company says, contributes to premature skin aging. Silab describes this as metallo-aging and says the process is amplified by UV radiation, which promotes degradation of iron/ferritin complexes and can release iron in a massive, uncontrolled way, causing oxidative stress.
Metallomia is designed to relaunch ferritinophagy in menopausal skin. Silab says the ingredient facilitates iron delivery and reactivates key epidermal functions. It also aims to limit oxidative stress under UV exposure by reducing iron/ferritin complexes.
Reported skin benefits
Silab reports that the targeted mechanism significantly reduces metallo-aging. In Caucasian volunteers, it says skin was revitalized after 14 days, with the skin barrier reinforced and the complexion more unified and radiant. In Asian volunteers, pigment spots were significantly reduced after 28 days, according to the company. When Caucasian volunteers applied the ingredient before UV exposure, Silab says it prevented lipid peroxidation and limited the appearance of redness within hours after exposure.
These are company-reported results. The announcement does not provide full study designs, sample sizes or statistical details, so the findings should be read as Silab’s claims for its ingredient rather than independently confirmed clinical outcomes.
Marshmallow root sourcing and processing
For Metallomia, Silab turned to the molecular composition of marshmallow roots, which are particularly rich in mucilages. The company has set up a traced supply chain with French partners. It says the supply has been validated against criteria in the European Pharmacopoeia and authenticated through DNA barcoding. To access the root’s mucilage content, Silab developed a specific enzyme engineering process to extract polyuronides.
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 supplied as an aqueous solution, which Silab says makes it easy to formulate. The ingredient complies with biodiversity regulations and has a natural origin content of 100% under ISO 16128, according to the company. Silab also says it complies with international cosmetics regulations in markets including Europe, the United States, China and Japan.