Silk-iCare™, the vegan silk veil for skin perfection
Imagine a lightweight, breathable, and protective veil that forms effortlessly on your skin. Silk-iCare™, Givaudan‘s latest innovation, delivers this with a vegan silk film that enhances skin appearance while providing tangible, science-backed benefits. Let’s explore how it works.
Silk-iCare™ begins its story in the microscopic intricacies of silk proteins. By reconstructing a silk protein using biotechnological fermentation, Givaudan has engineered a vegan silk that forms a uniform, pearlescent film on the skin. This isn’t just any film—it’s exceptionally light, almost invisible, and impressively strong. It has the elasticity to move with you, while maintaining a dense, regular structure that’s gentle to the skin.
Science Behind the Veil
Silk-iCare™ is developed through protein engineering to mimic natural silk’s properties. By replicating specific amino acid sequences, Silk-iCare™ forms a homogeneous, pearlescent film on the skin that is light, breathable, and nearly invisible. This film forms in just a few minutes and leaves no residue or cracks—demonstrating both aesthetic and functional appeal. But what sets it apart are the studies that show its effect on the skin. Once applied, the protein forms a protective film that holds multiple properties in one: anti-pollution defense, skin smoothing, and pore minimization.
Clinical Studies on Silk-iCare™
► Anti-Pollution Effect
Silk-iCare™ was evaluated for its ability to protect the skin from pollution in an in vivo anti-pollution test. Participants had their forearm skin treated with 3% Silk-iCare™ in water and were subsequently exposed to PM2.5 carbon particles. Results showed that after a simple rinse with water, Silk-iCare™ removed 50% more pollution compared to a placebo. Rubbing further improved removal, achieving over 90% removal, and Silk-iCare™ ultimately eliminated 96% of the pollution particles. This makes Silk-iCare™ an effective anti-pollution shield that helps maintain skin clarity.
► Reduction in Pore Intensity
Silk-iCare™ also demonstrates a visible improvement in skin surface quality. In a randomized, double-blind study involving 36 Caucasian women aged 41 to 69 years, participants applied Silk-iCare™ at 3% concentration in a cream to their face. Within just 15 minutes of application, there was a 7-fold reduction in pore intensity compared to placebo. The physical film-forming properties of Silk-iCare™ account for this immediate visible improvement, highlighting its effectiveness as a primer or pore-refining agent.
► Skin Perfection and Breakout Reduction
Another in vivo study focused on Silk-iCare™’s impact on skin imperfections. This double-blind study involved 47 Asian women aged 18 to 40, all presenting with oily skin and a high sebum rate. Silk-iCare™ was applied twice daily for 28 days, and the results were clear: participants experienced a 2.3-fold reduction in the number of skin imperfections, including inflammatory lesions and papules, compared to placebo. This demonstrates Silk-iCare™’s effectiveness in helping maintain clearer skin over time.
► Wound Healing Properties
The wound healing abilities of Silk-iCare™ were tested using skin explants injured by a wound. After applying Silk-iCare™, an increase of 52% in the number of closed cuts was observed compared to placebo, showcasing its ability to promote rehabilitation of epidermis through its film-forming property. With the application of Silk-iCare™ on injured skin, under exposome context (UV + pollution), an increase of CK16 expression +23%* is observed in the wound area, meaning a recovery of epidermis (+45%#).
► Anti-Irritation
Silk-iCare™ was also studied for its anti-irritation properties. In this study, participants with skin irritated by sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) were treated with 3% Silk-iCare™. Results showed a significant reduction in irritation scores compared to the placebo, indicating that Silk-iCare™ can help soothe and calm irritated skin. This makes it an ideal ingredient for products aimed at sensitive or stressed skin.
► Makeup Fixation
Silk-iCare™ also proves valuable in makeup applications, particularly for enhancing makeup longevity. By forming a breathable, flexible film on the skin, Silk-iCare™ helps makeup adhere better and last longer, reducing the need for touch-ups throughout the day. This makes it an ideal ingredient for makeup primers, ensuring that foundation stays in place while keeping the skin comfortable.
A Multifunctional Active Ingredient
Incorporating Silk-iCare™ into skincare formulations means embracing a sophisticated, nature-inspired technology that strengthens the skin’s resilience against environmental stressors while enhancing its appearance. From anti-pollution serums to makeup primers, Silk-iCare™ delivers versatile, targeted solutions that meet the evolving needs of modern skincare. By integrating this innovative bio-silk, skincare products can offer both immediate visible improvements and long-term benefits, fostering healthier, more resilient skin.
Silk-iCare™ demonstrates how biotechnology can transform skincare by creating a protective, effective barrier that works with the skin’s natural functions to improve its health and appearance.
