BCR GentleGuard IQ

Bio-Hacked BCR™ fermentation combines probiotics with akebia stem, blue algae, and wine extract prebiotic superfoods. Our proprietary fermentation technology yields a POSTBIOTIC broth brimming with micronutrients designed to support the skin's microbiome. The use of friendly probiotics — Lactobacillus plantarum and Saccharomyces boulardi — to ferment superfoods is a clean and sustainable methodology for obtaining unique ingredients for use in personal care.

The Prebiotics:

• The chemical composition of blue algae contains lipids (linolenic and linoleic acid), proteins, and pigments. Additionally, algae biosynthesize a variety of polysaccharides exhibiting distinctive structural and functional properties. Many of these materials have been proven to possess skin- protective effects, including preventing the degradation of the essential components of the skin barrier and extracellular matrix. This preserves the barrier function, structure, and mechanical properties of the skin. In vitro studies of blue algae extract using PCR show a downregulation of gene expression of filaggrin, loricrin, calmodulin and upregulation of gene expression of calgranulin A & B. This activity plays a role in regulating cell migration, proliferation and differentiation, which results in repairing the skin barrier. Additional downregulation of the gene expression of MMPI & 2 results in protection of the extracellular matrix.
• The akebia fruit is also known as the chocolate vine, due to the fragrance the flowers emit. Studies have reported that akebia fruit is rich in bioactive components that play a part in anti- melanogenesis, anti-oxidation and free radical scavenging. Studies done on akebia fruit using human dermal fibroblasts demonstrated antioxidant and anti-glycation activity, which protects the skin against oxidative stress and inhibits cellular senescence. The study also found that akebia inhibits the glycation reaction between bovine serum albumin (BSA) and glucose.
• Wine polyphenols exhibit strong antioxidant properties in comparison to low molecular weight phenolic compounds. Antioxidant properties of wine polyphenols can result from their free radical scavenging activity, but their ability to chelate transition metal ions, especially Fe(ll) and Cu(ll), are especially important in the fight against pollution.
• Skin is the largest organ of the human body, and any factor affecting skin health will impact the body as a whole. More than 80% of consumers worldwide think skin absorbs pollution from air. Major air pollutants having detrimental effects on the skin include solar ultraviolet radiation, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, ozone and cigarette smoke. There are several different approaches to prevent the negative impact of environmental aggressors on the skin. Pollution damages or weakens the skin's natural barrier resulting in higher and deeper penetration of pollutants, which, in turn, affects the morphology and integrity of skin structure. The damaged barrier also leads to higher trans-epidermal water loss, resulting in poor skin hydration affecting the rigidity and firmness of skin. GentleGuard IQ addresses this problem by strengthening the skin's natural barrier and improving its hydration. Air pollutants damage the skin by inducing oxidative stress through free radicals and metal ions. GentleGuard IQ fights against pollution by chelating these metal ions and preventing oxidative damage and lipid peroxidation.

Suggested use level is 1-5% in skin care, body care, sun care, hair care and color cosmetics Easily formulated into the aqueous phase of emulsions or aqueous systems Transparent and odorless for ease of formulation