Hair plays an important role in self-esteem and self-confidence. Increasingly, consumers are approaching hair care with a scientific and dermatological mindset, seeking solutions that address the root causes of hair and scalp conditions. Reflecting broader trends from skincare, attention has shifted to the cellular level, where longevity and vitality are central themes.
The Ingredients+Specialties division from Univar Solutions offers ingredients as well as expertise in beauty and personal care. The company’s team supports customers throughout the process, providing technical development and brand assistance to ensure a comprehensive experience. In collaboration with dsm-firmenich, the company is introducing a new technology aimed at advancing the understanding of healthy hair. This approach centers on the removal of so-called zombie cells, allowing healthy cells to thrive.
Time to talk about Hair “Longevitality”
Hair is crucial for self-esteem and self-confidence, and consumers are paying more attention to it at a deeper level than before. Reflecting skincare trends, there is a growing demand for solutions with a scientific and dermatological approach that address the root causes, helping maintain the health of the scalp and hair for longer. It’s no surprise that 58% of global consumers say hair aging is their biggest concern. In this context, longevity and vitality are keywords. Hair care products with active ingredients and technologies designed to work at a cellular level are the new go-to for meeting the needs of consumers at every stage of life – and that’s where senolytic science comes in.
The New Era of Cellular Hair Beauty
Everybody knows it’s not possible to stop time, but science has already proven that biological aging can be slowed down by acting on cellular processes. The same applies to hair health: over time, follicles lose efficiency, and inactive cells remain, damaging the healthy ones and causing inflammation that affects the volume and appearance of the hair strands. Eliminating these senescent cells is key for hair renewal. How can senolytic science help with this? Senolytic science seeks to address this by targeting these inactive cells. dsm-firmenich Beauty & Care has developed “Eterwell Hair”, an ingredient designed to support hair vitality. It is the first solution tested on hair follicles using a model specific to senescent cells. This ingredient demonstrates effectiveness even in low concentrations, providing holistic and sustainable hair care that helps slow down the premature aging of the hair.
Deep and Transformative Action from the Root
Over time, senescent cells lose their ability to divide and produce key proteins essential for healthy hair, such as melanin, keratin, and KAP. This process causes them to release SASPs (senescence-associated secretory phenotypes), which accelerate aging by triggering healthy cells to enter a state of damage. “Eterwell Hair” works directly on the follicles, selectively eliminating these harmful cells through targeted apoptosis, thereby restarting the natural hair renewal process. The result? Less inflammation, a balanced scalp, prevention of hair loss, and stimulation of hair growth.
- 53% fewer senescent cells with 0.001%* “Eterwell Hair”, according to an in vitro test model
- 5% more hair density** increases after 150 days
- Highly significant results were observed, particularly among volunteers experiencing hair loss: the lower the initial hair density, the greater the increase in hair density following the use of “Eterwell Hair”
- 70% of the volunteers improved their Anagen/Telogen AT Ratio*. AT ratio is a way of measuring the health of the hair, comparing the number of hairs in the growth phase (anagen) with those in the resting or shedding phase (telogen). The higher this ratio, the more vitality and health the hair shows.
Holistic, Sustainable Hair Care
“Eterwell Hair” is produced with consideration for both human and environmental well-being. It is made with 100% natural ingredients and Alpine blue flax sourced ethically and fairly, using a responsible production method based on regenerative agriculture and biodiversity protection. Moreover, it adheres to green chemistry principles, utilizing gentle extraction with organic ethanol and achieving a low carbon footprint – less than 3 kg CO2 eq/kg – thereby minimizing environmental impact. Given findings that 67% of global consumers are seeking environmentally friendly beauty products, “Eterwell Hair” is positioned for use in formulations aiming to balance efficacy and sustainability.
**dry extract**0.5% in leave-on formulation tested in vivo
Eric Perlorca
Global Head of Marketing – Beauty and Personal Care
Univar Solutions, Downers Grove, US,
Monika Ruiz Golcher
Formulator, Personal Care – EMEA,
Univar Solutions, Montreuil, France
www.univarsolutions.com