actif Cosmetics

What is "INOSITOL" and what does it do?

Role: HUMECTANT

Family: Active Carob tree

Comedogenic index: 0

It is a key component of lecithin, an essential fatty acid for the skin. Inositol shares moisturizing properties with glycerin and helps maintain skin firmness.

Plant origin and synthesis
Inositol is generally extracted from plants such as corn and beet, or carob extract, but can also be synthesized in the laboratory.

Biological functions
Forerunner in Biological Processes
In the body, inositol plays a precursor role in several biological processes, notably in the formation of living skin cells, the keratinocytes.

Water balance and fatty acid stability
On the skin and in the body, inositol helps balance water and salt concentrations and reinforces the stability of fatty acids.

On a molecular level, inositol is close to glucose in its low molecular weight, and is involved in numerous biological processes. One of the most remarkable is its ability to stimulate the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin tanning.

Indeed, when inositol comes into contact with a melanocyte (the type of skin cell that produces melanin), it stimulates melanin production by promoting the synthesis of DAG (diacylglycerol), a key secondary messenger in the melanogenesis process. This stimulates the skin's natural tanning process, resulting in more intense, longer-lasting color.

Inositol is therefore a beneficial ingredient in products designed to promote and prolong tanning. In addition to this property, inositol can also offer other benefits for the skin, such as promoting hydration and improving skin barrier function, thanks to its humectant properties.

Find out more about "Inci" cosmetic ingredients