1 Oral beauty ingredients of the year
1.1 ROBERTET：KERANAT
Function: prevent hair loss
Keranat® from the French Robert Group is a plant-derived raw material for preventing hair loss. Its active ingredient is millet from millet, and it uses patented microencapsulation technology to enhance bioavailability. It can directly act on the dermal papilla cells of the hair follicle and play a role in fixing hair, growing hair, and enhancing hair quality.
Keranat® can effectively promote the release of growth factor IGF-1 and significantly promote the proliferation of hair follicle cells. It grows new hair and thickens the collagen sheath around the follicle bulb, creating a stronger hair anchoring system that helps fight hair loss. In two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies, the use of Keranat® Millet Oil Extract for 6 weeks resulted in a 50% reduction in hair loss. 91% of the subjects reported that it was effective in reducing hair loss, and 75% of the subjects reported that the hair was shinier, smoother, and softer, the scalp dryness was significantly reduced, and their overall health was better.
1.2 SEPPIC：Ceramosides™
Function: delay skin aging
CERAMOSIDES™ is a wheat-derived natural phytoceramide rich in omega-3, 6, and 9 fatty acids. At very low concentrations, it strengthens the dermis structure (protecting skin elasticity and firmness), tightens pores and visibly refines skin texture, and protects skin from premature aging caused by environmental stress. It strengthens the skin’s barrier function and fights transepidermal water loss. Its effects include shrinking pores, delaying aging, improving skin elasticity, improving skin firmness, anti-oxidation, hydration, and more. CERAMOSIDES™ can be used in a variety of nutritional formulations, including tablets, capsules, bars, and beverages.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial showed that CERAMOSIDES™ showed significant effects in only 15 days at low doses (30 mg/day for powder or 70 mg/day for oil). After 2 months, the skin’s moisture content increased by 21%. Wrinkles were reduced by 18%.
1.3 SYNBALANCE ：SynBalance® Pro Beauty Shield
Function: Relieve dermatitis
SynBalance® Pro BeautyShield is a probiotic product for skin health. Its core strains are Lactobacillus Plantarum PBS067, Lactobacillus reuteri PBS072, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus LRH020. Imbalances in the gut microbiota can affect the skin by inducing systemic inflammation, triggering skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD) and acne, which severely impact the quality of daily life. This correlation was first described in 1930 as a theory of the interrelationship between emotional state, gut microbiota, and systemic skin inflammation, the gut-skin-brain axis.
Probiotics can indirectly help improve the recovery of the gut microbiota, produce short-chain fatty acids (antibacterial compounds), improve skin immune defenses, and affect skin health by affecting the brain-gut axis. Experiments show that SynBalance® ProBeautyShield improves skin barrier, reduces TEWL value, increases skin moisturization, and relieves roughness, dryness, and scaling. After 28 days of use, the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha, thymic interstitial lymphopoietin (TSLP), and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) were decreased, and AD markers were decreased.
Probiotics can indirectly help improve the recovery of the gut microbiota, produce short-chain fatty acids (antibacterial compounds), improve skin immune defenses, and affect skin health by affecting the brain-gut axis. Experiments show that SynBalance® ProBeautyShield improves skin barrier, reduces TEWL value, increases skin moisturization, and relieves roughness, dryness, and scaling. After 28 days of use, the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha, thymic interstitial lymphopoietin (TSLP), and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) were decreased, and AD markers were decreased.
2 Cognitive raw material of the year
2.1 Kyowa Hakko Europe：Cognizin® Citicoline
Cognizin® is a patented form of Citicoline that increases the synthesis of acetylcholine and phosphatidylcholine, two important neuroprotective compounds that help regulate memory, cognitive function, and brain health. Additionally, supplementation with Cognizin Citicoline may enhance focus by increasing the available energy produced by the brain.
2.2 Pharmactive Biotech Products：Affron®
Affron® is a standardized saffron extract that has been used in three clinical studies in humans to date, demonstrating positive effects on mood, stress/anxiety, sleep, brain cognition, and vitality. In a double-blind, parallel, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, affron® improved mood and sleep quality in healthy adults over 4 weeks.
2.3 SYNBALANCE：SynBalance® KeepCalm
SynBalance® KeepCalm is a probiotic product targeting the brain-gut axis. Its core strains are Lactobacillus reuteri PBS072 and Bifidobacterium breve BB077. It works by boosting the production of the neurotransmitters GABA and serotonin, which help regulate stress, improve anxiety, enhance concentration and short-term memory, and improve sleep quality.
3 Healthy aging ingredients of the year
3.1 Cambridge Nutraceuticals：Lacto Lycopene
Function:Cardiovascular, prostate health
LactoLycopene is an ingredient that combines lycopene with whey protein. It is more bioavailable, making it easier for the body to absorb. Not only can lactolycopene be used in fertility supplements to improve sperm quality in men, but it can also help with cardiovascular and prostate health.
3.2 GE Nutrients (Gencor)：Levagen®+ (PEA)
Function: Joint health
Levagen®+ is a clinically studied form of palmitic acid ethanolamide (PEA) that supports joint health and improves inflammatory responses. PEA is a fatty substance that can be produced by the human body and is also found in animal offal, egg yolks, olive oil, safflower and soybean lecithin, peanuts and other foods. It was first demonstrated in the 1950s as a therapeutic substance with anti-inflammatory properties. PEA supports joint function, reduces joint pain, and can also aid relaxation and improve sleep quality. According to a study published by Nutrients, Levagen®+ aids in muscle recovery, may help reduce inflammation, reduce pain and discomfort, and support joints.
3.3 Pharmactive Biotech Products ：ABG10+®
Function: Cardiovascular health
ABG10+ is a black garlic extract, extracted using fermentation, with three to six times the polyphenol concentration of fresh garlic, and is colorless and odorless, suitable for various applications. ABG10+ helps balance lipids and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, which is often caused by oxidative stress. In an ABG10+ animal study, the ABG10+ group exhibited lower triglyceride levels as well as insulin and leptin serum concentrations. It lowered low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) levels by 22%, which lowered the risk of atherosclerotic plaque formation. Black garlic extract supplementation also increased beneficial high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) by 46% and attenuated vasoconstriction through its ability to reduce inflammation.
4 Prebiotic Raw Material of the Year
4.1 Love Pray Nutrition: Livaux®
Livaux® is made from 100% non-GMO New Zealand Zespri® SunGold kiwifruit without the use of chemical solvents. In a clinical study of 28 patients, Livaux® was safe and well-tolerated when consumed daily for 28 days and increased levels of Faecalibacterium pratense in the gut. It helps to improve laxatives, maintain digestive health, boost immunity, improve IBS syndrome, IBD symptoms.
4.2 Clasado Biosciences: Bimuno
Bimuno® is a galactooligosaccharide prebiotic that travels through the digestive tract directly to the colon. In the colon, it increases the production and activity of beneficial gut bacteria. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study led by the School of Food Biosciences, University of Reading, UK, confirmed that Bimuno® positively affects the gut flora by increasing the number of bifidobacteria while reducing harmful bacteria. To reduce inflammation, improve immunity, and improve metabolic syndrome, support cognitive function.
4.3 Tate and Lyle: PROMITOR® dietary fiber
PROMITOR® Soluble Fiber is a corn-based soluble fiber. Its digestive tolerance is more than twice that of inulin. The high fiber content allows PROMITOR ® soluble fiber to meet nutritional goals at lower levels, ensure consumer acceptance and comfort, and help improve food viscosity and taste. Tests have shown that even at low pH, PROMITOR ® soluble fibers are highly stable and do not break down into sugars during storage like other soluble fibers.
5 Sports Nutrition Ingredients of the Year
5.1 Health Currancy: CurraNZ® New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract
The polyphenols in blackcurrants have natural anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and blood flow promoting properties. Research published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition confirms that the polyphenol anthocyanins in blackcurrants can significantly improve exercise performance (0.45%). This is higher than the caffeine used by the average athlete (0.41%) and peaks in the bloodstream within 2 hours of consumption, activating the body’s cellular defense system to help athletes better prepare and adapt for peak performance and recovery. Trials have shown that CurraNZ® promotes a 45% increase in blood flow during exercise, an 11% increase in running distance, a 12% reduction in fatigue, a 49% reduction in post-exercise soreness, less muscle damage, and three times faster recovery.
5.2 Pharmako Biotechnologies：HydroCurc
HydroCurc® is a highly bioavailable, cold water dispersible (CWD) turmeric extract. Most curcumin is fat-soluble and has limited solubility in the aqueous gastrointestinal environment, resulting in low absorption rates. While HydroCurc® is a new type of curcumin, the curcumin particles in HydroCurc are freely dispersible in aqueous environments (eg stomach). With over 80% curcumin content, HydroCurc provides a high level of the active ingredient in a water-dispersible formula for higher absorption. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, HydroCurc resulted in a faster return to exercise training, or at a higher threshold. This may be due to the anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin, which reduce muscle pain and regulate energy metabolism.
5.3 Stratum Nutrition：NEM
NEM is a natural eggshell membrane ingredient that contains calcium carbonate, protein, glucosamine, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, and more. In one study, the product reduced joint pain and stiffness in patients with grade 2 and 3 osteoarthritis (OA). And NEM relieves joint pain very quickly, taking only 7 to 10 days.
6 Weight Management Ingredients of the Year
6.1 AB-BIOTICS：LipiGO
LipiGO is a postbiotic polysaccharide mixture derived from the cell wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, containing β-glucan, chitin-chitosan, and other components. It reduces the number of calories absorbed from food, helps to improve body weight and waist circumference in obese people without ill effects, and does not easily regain the weight.
6.2 Primex Iceland：LipoSan Ultra
LipoSanUltra® is a natural dietary fiber formula for effective weight control. Its main ingredient is chitosan, which has been modified and optimized to enhance solubility in gastric acid and fat. In addition, it contains succinic acid. Lipan Ultra® binds to fat in the stomach and separates it from digested food. This creates a gel-like lotion around the fat, preventing it from being absorbed by the body. A clinical study evaluating LipoSan Ultra® showed significant weight loss in people taking LipoSan Ultra® regularly. LipoSan reduces body fat with few lifestyle changes.
6.3 OmniActive Health Technologies：Capsimax
Capsimax is a capsicum extract rich in capsaicinoids without causing a burning sensation in the mouth and stomach. Capsimax utilizes OmniBead Beadlet technology to encapsulate the beneficial heat of concentrated, highly active natural capsaicin in a controlled release coating. It effectively encapsulates the beneficial properties of capsaicin without the burning sensation of chili peppers and is suitable for food such as capsules, tablets, and solid beverages.
