Global demand for collagen supplements “is forecast to grow at a 6.4% CAGR and reach US$ 2.8 Billion in 2032,” according to market research firm Future Market Insights. To gain significant market share in the beauty from within category, industry companies are therefore committed to R&D efforts to spur innovation and produce effective products that meet the evolving demands of consumers.
One brand that is working to differentiate their beauty-from-within products from other currently available options is nutritional brand Designs for Health, which has recently launched its Whole Beauty Collagen supplement. Whole Beauty Collagen features a combination of biotin-, and silica-based, blended with hydrolyzed collagen peptides for a different approach to nutricosmetic support.
To learn more about Designs for Health’s Whole Beauty Collagen supplement, including how the ingredient formulation differs from other products currently available in the beauty from within space, we spoke to Cristiana Paul, MS, Product Development and Research Consultant and Ginger Downey, MS, CNS: Sr. Brand Manager, Designs for Beauty & Pharmacy, Designs for Health for their insights.
CDU: Can you explain the background behind the Lustriva blend used in the Whole Beauty Collagen product?
Christiana Paul (CP): The Lustriva blend was not developed by DFH, but by a reputable ingredient supplier called Nutrition21. DFH has sourced this ingredient for use in its formulary products among many that offer various forms of silicon and biotin based on the manufacturer’s research and independent research on the bioavailability of these nutritional factors.
CDU: How does the Lustriva blend used in Whole Beauty Collagen differ from other biotin and silica-based ingredients used in other Beauty from Within supplements?
CP: Lustriva is a complex that combines Bonded Arginine Silicate with Magnesium Biotinate. The main difference between Lustriva and other biotin and silica-based ingredients is the form of silicon and biotin, which confer increased bioavailability of these two essential elements that are critical for skin, hair and nails health.
In general, the silicon molecule presents a challenge because it has the propensity to polymerize (many silicon molecules are bound in a chain), which makes it hard to absorb because the human digestive process cannot break it down. The Lustriva blend keeps silicon molecules separated in complexes that can be broken down right and facilitate absorption in the gut.
The unique Lustriva complex also increases biotin solubility 40 times greater than that of D-biotin, commonly found in beauty products. Lustriva has been clinically shown to enhance existing hair growth and density, improve skin elasticity, reduce facial wrinkles, and fine lines, and improve overall appearance.
Lustriva was also granted self-affirmed GRAS status, based on submitting a comprehensive dossier of information regarding proposed uses, estimated consumer intakes, chemistry, specifications, and a comprehensive review of its safety information. DFH verifies the content of the ingredients used based on the strict Good Manufacturing Practices standard.
CDU: How are the hydrolyzed collagen peptides used in Whole Beauty Collagen different than other collagen ingredients currently used by manufacturers and suppliers in the Beauty from Within space?
CP: The collagen peptides incorporated in Whole Beauty Collagen poses the important property of not exceeding a particular threshold for molecular weight (less than 5 kilodaltons). The lower the molecular weight the more efficient its digestion into individual amino acids and di- and tripeptides.
These small peptides are unique when compared to peptides derived from many other common proteins because they cannot be further broken down by human enzymes and are absorbed intact in blood circulation. This allows them to provide signaling that stimulates specialized cells to proliferate and enhance the synthesis of collagen, elastin, and other connective tissue components in the body, including the skin.
The individual collagen amino acids absorbed have unique roles as building blocks for body collagen turnover, providing a much higher proportion of glycine and proline than any other dietary protein.
Collagen offerings are indeed numerous from various countries and animal sources. DFH suppliers are chosen based on quality standards. The collagen supplier for Whole Beauty Collagen does not claim to have a unique hydrolyzation method compared to others. However, it’s important to note that the source is beef collagen.
Studies have shown that di- and tripeptides resulting from various animal sources differ in some respects. Those derived from pork and beef are not the same as those from chicken and fish, even though there are similarities in some of the benefits observed in studies. The beef and pork derived peptides are most like those produced in the human body from our own collagen breakdown, probably because they are also mammals.
These mammal-derived peptides may be preferable because the signaling they provide upon absorption may be more like endogenous signaling from human collagen peptides. This results in a genuine amplification of collagen regeneration.
CDU: What are Designs for Health’s plans for further innovation and development in the beauty from within space?
Ginger Downey (GD): This is excellent timing for your question about our plan for innovation and development in the beauty from within space. Designs for Health is excited to announce that in the second half of 2024 we plan to launch Designs for Beauty – a line of products focused on personalized nutritional interventions designed to support the skin and leveraging the scientific infrastructure of the Designs for Health brand.
The Designs for Beauty brand will expand our practitioner reach by providing nutritional supplements and topical skincare products to the medical aesthetics market through this new brand focused on Inside-Out/Outside-In synergies that lead to improved therapeutic outcomes.
The initial launch will include ten targeted nutraceutical products and our newly reformulated DermAvail skincare lotion, meticulously re-formulated with a potent blend of peptides, nutrients, and botanical ingredients to promote youthful, radiant skin, while supporting anti-aging at the cellular level.
