Amorepacific (CEO & Chairman Suh Kyung-bae) and Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine’s Department of Dermatology (Professor Choi Eung-ho) revealed the causal relationship between stress and changes in skin condition, and published the result of a joint study on the effective substance that can improve the deterioration of the skin barrier function due to stress. It was presented orally for the first time in the cosmetic industry at the 2019 International Societies for Investigative Dermatology Symposium, and the result of the follow-up research has been published in the Scientific Reports in June, which is an international scientific journal published by the scientific journal Nature (title of the thesis: A novel mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, 7,3',4'-trihydroxyisoflavone improves skin barrier function impaired by endogenous or exogenous glucocorticoids).

A joint research team of Amorepacific and Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine's Department of Dermatology conducted a long-term study to reveal the effect of stress on the skin. As a result, the mechanism of the adverse effects of stress on the skin was discovered which was then published in an internationally renowned scientific journal. In particular, an excessive release of stress hormone called 'cortisol' from the adrenal cortex was noted as a major cause of 'skin barrier dysfunction', which undermines skin's protective function against external harmful factors. In addition, when under stress, the skin increases the enzyme (11β-HSD1) that converts the cortisone hormone into the active cortisol hormone, which in turn further increases the level of cortisol in skin thereby damaging the skin including skin barrier.

In order to solve the adverse effect of such stress stimulus on the skin, Amorepacific R&D Center has focused on the effectiveness of hydroxydaidzein (7,3',4'-trihydroxyisoflavone), which is released infinitesimally when beans, Amorepacific’s heritage material, are fermented under a specific condition. Through 10 years of research, the team published that hydroxydaidzein controls the cortisol-receptor response to restore the skin barrier function to a normal level even in stressful situations and maintain a healthy skin condition by inducing pH normalization.

Park Young-ho, the Head of Amorepacific’s Basic Research & Innovation Division says, “After a long-term study to find a biomaterial that can restrain skin damage caused by stress, we were able to successfully secure and mass-produce high-purity hydroxydaidzein.” He also added, “Based on the dermatological achievements and effective solutions obtained from the research, Amorepacific will continue to provide innovative solutions for the health and beauty of our customers.”

The Amorepacific R&D Center has been making continuous efforts for the development of skin science and product R&D and it plans to apply the effective result and solutions secured from the research to Amorepacific’s products that are to be launched.