Talking in the course of the latest NutraIngredients and CosmeticsDesign-Europe webinar on holistic beauty-from-within tendencies, Dr. Steffen Wegener, managing director on the German purposeful and wonder vitamin model HECH, mentioned that whereas the sweetness class has traditionally been perceived as superficial, his aim was to reinterpret it via a multi-level method the place magnificence is reflective of total well being.
“For me, magnificence is the seen results of a wholesome physique, so we got down to create a product that addresses each magnificence and metabolic facets on totally different ranges,” he mentioned.
HECH’s product Emerald Elixier, which took dwelling the 2025 NutraIngredients Magnificence-from-Inside Product of the 12 months award, was formulated to spice up mobile vitality, help collagen manufacturing and shield pores and skin well being to optimize metabolism, reinforce dermal resilience and improve magnificence and longevity from inside.
It consists of NADH to drive ATP synthesis and mobile restore, saffron for UV protection and pigmentation management, chasteberry to stability hormones and calm stress-related pores and skin points and multi-density collagen peptides to fortify pores and skin construction.
“Defending the physique, the pores and skin and even DNA is simply as necessary as rebuilding what has been misplaced,” Dr. Wegener mentioned. “The extracts assist the physique deal with stress and help psychological stability—one thing our fashionable society wants greater than ever. As a result of, in the long run, magnificence is the results of many interconnected components.”
Thoughts and physique connection
Dr. Wegener additionally highlighted the the connection between metnal state and bodily look, emphasizing the importantce of “psychological stability” for magnificence from inside.
“Merchandise that solely deal with a single side will wrestle sooner or later,” he mentioned, noting that buyers now need handy options that cowl a number of day by day wants. “For instance, that’s why we’re engaged on merchandise that concentrate on each psychological stability and pores and skin well being.”
He defined that the mind-skin connection is strongly linked to hormonal stability, and that psychological imbalance typically results in elevated stress hormones—for instance cortisol or adrenaline—being launched into the physique and activating emergency metabolic pathways.
“When stress is persistent, the physique stays on this heightened state,” he mentioned.
“Important regeneration processes are suppressed, vitality metabolism is overactivated and the system isn’t working because it ought to. Over time, this reveals up within the pores and skin. For instance, pimples is usually linked to psychological imbalance alongside different physiological components. That’s why it’s so necessary for contemporary beauty-related merchandise to additionally deal with psychological stability.”
Dr. Wegener famous that the ingredient saffron is especially good in formulating for holistic magnificence and backed by a powerful physique of scientific proof exhibiting its results on “settling the thoughts and restoring stability.”
Rising substances in nutricosmetics
Except for the holistic connection between psychological and bodily well being, Dr. Wegener famous that some bioactives are exhibiting actual promise within the rising neurocosmetic house.
Spermidine, the naturally occurring polyamine present in dwelling cells and tissues, was recognized as a biogenic amine and neurotransmitter. It’s typically derived from plant-based extracts reminiscent of wheat germ extract or soybean extract.
“It prompts sure metabolic pathways associated to regeneration,” he mentioned.
One other key ingredient famous was creatine, with analysis exhibiting its sturdy potential for neuroprotective functions in addition to its well-studied use in supporting muscle operate and efficiency.
“This twin position—supporting each muscular and psychological well being—makes it notably related as we age,” Dr. Wegener mentioned.
Watch on demand: Traits in holistic beauty-from-within
This free editorial webinar explored how the BFW pattern is reshaping skincare and wellness, masking nutricosmetics, neurocosmetics, the gut-skin axis and extra.
Catch it on demand now to listen to from HECH MD Steffen Wegener in addition to Unilever’s Jason Harcup, Gallinée founder Marie Drago and Mintel analyst Shiyan Zering.
