Whitening Peptide

Designed and synthesized an active ingredient that inhibits melanin production for whitening cosmetic products. This is a complex whitening ingredient with a naturally derived substance that inhibits tyrosinase enzyme activities and dipeptide with MC1R antagonist in one molecule.

- Increased whitening efficacy compared to existing ingredient (arbutin) through complex mechanisms
- A technology that overcomes the issues of stability and cost through the development of derivative materials using the dipeptide

Anti-aging Ingredients

Designed and synthesized an active anti-aging ingredient that increases collagen synthesis and inhibits collagenase and elastase activities.

- A complex ingredient that combines naturally derived substances and peptides to enhance wrinkle reduction efficacy

Pseudo-ceramide

Developed a pseudo-ceramide compound and topical dermatologic composition based on that compound

- Moisturize skin and recover barriers on skin
- Protects hair and strengthens its internal tissue bonds

Anti-acne Ingredients

Analyzed the complex causes of acne and developed active ingredients to prevent acne

- Developed an ingredient with antibacterial properties against P. acnes, which is the main cause of acne
- Developed ingredients with anti-inflammatory properties

Developed superior ingredients for sealing off dentin tubules

Developed superior ingredients for sealing off dentin tubules

- Dentin tubule sealing system using natural polymer with a high level of tissue affinity
- Micro gel seals tubules to re-mineralize them

Research in Hair Structure

Developed personalized hair care solutions based on research on the structure/characteristics of hair, which varies by person, race, and damage conditions

Clean Scalp Care Technology

Scalp hydration care, hair loss care, and sebum care

Ampoule Care Technology

Hair treatment for damaged hair by delivering ampoule ingredients and products deep into the hair, which is the core concept of Kerasys

Trouble care exfoliation technology

Plant-derived proteolytic enzymes
- Skin problems are caused by abnormal hyperkeratinization of the epithelium of the skin's hair follicles, which leads to dead skin cells accumulating in the pores, preventing the release of sebum and causing bacteria to multiply.
- Unexfoliated skin looks dull and has an uneven skin texture.
- Conventional exfoliation techniques, especially physical removal, cause side effects such as redness and pain.
- To solve these problems, we developed a new technology to obtain keratinase, an enzyme that breaks down dead skin cells, through microbial fermentation by applying genetic recombination technology to various plants such as Chameleon plant, which does not cause irritation and provides an excellent keratin treatment effect. Dermatologic benefits of proteolytic enzymes

- Keratinase, a common exfoliant, is less active and stable due to temperature, pH, and other environmental factors, but a special fermentation process is used to improve these attributes.
- Relieves skin irritation by inhibiting the PAR-2 receptor, a GPCR (G-protein coupled receptor) that causes it.
- Creates a synergy between keratinase, a naturally derived exfoliating enzyme, and other ingredients for effective treatment of skin problems without irritating the skin.
- These ingredients are used for A-Solution Acne Clear Line and Labccin Facial Cleansing products.

Proprietary technology for fermenting strains derived from Jeju firs

- Jeju Island is home to a wide variety of living organisms proven to be excellent biological resources
- While studying the microorganisms inhabiting various organisms on Jeju Island, we discovered a microorganism that is beneficial to our skin
- It is a type of yeast strain known as black yeast. We named it AK1954 and proceeded to study its benefits to skin and product development

Benefits of AK1954
- We began research on the fermentation conditions to maximize the benefits.
- The ferment obtained through this process is used for anti-aging, whitening, moisturization, soothing, balancing the microbiome, and calming the skin.
- Promotes the production of collagen, the protein that makes up the dermis of the skin, and inhibits an enzyme called MMP-1 that breaks down collagen.
- Inhibits elastase, an enzyme that breaks down elastin, another important dermal protein besides collagen, for anti-aging benefits.
- Confirmed whitening activities by inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme that produces melanin, which is responsible for darkening the complexion and causing melasma.
- A variety of microorganisms live on human skin. This is called the skin microbiome, and the balance of the microbiome is important for skin health.
- Confirmed the benefit of inhibiting the production of harmful bacteria that negatively affect the skin and promoting the production of beneficial bacteria.
- Confirmed the benefit of soothing skin and relieving irritation by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, which are known to be involved in skin irritation.
- Applied to various basic products including AGE20's Biome Lift Line and A-Solution Acne Clear Line.

New Cleansing Formulation Technology

New cleansing formulation with dual continuous phase

- Provide skin-friendly and deep cleansing using the dual continuous phase technology in which water and oil are layered on top of each other.
- With the development of diversified makeup products, including oil- and water-based makeup products, there is a growing importance of cleansing and removing makeup.
- Existing makeup cleansing products are composed of ingredients that are soluble in oil mixed with water in small particles, or ingredients soluble in water mixed with oil. As a result, it has a limitation as a makeup cleansing product.
- Using the structural characteristics of surfactants, we developed a formulation in which the oil phase and the water phase are arranged in a dual continuous phase, and came up with something that is excellent for removing both oil- and water-based makeup and easy to rinse off.
- Compared to conventional cleansing oils that are popular as makeup removers, this new formulation removes makeup, but it has a lower oil content and a high content of water-soluble moisturizers to reduce irritation.
- It is easy to use since you do not need to wash your face multiple times. It is safer on your skin, thanks to the PEG surfactant-free formulation.

Transdermal Delivery System Technology

- Through the fermentation of vegetable oils, bio-surfactants are composed of only those substances with interfacial activity that can be mixed by reducing the surface tension of oil and water among various metabolites.
- By utilizing the self-assembly property of bio-surfactants, we have developed a technology that delivers active ingredients deep into the skin by making the capsules smaller than the pores.
- The commonly used method for this is high-pressure emulsification, which consumes a lot of energy. However, the bio-surfactant's self-assembly capsule is eco-friendly since it requires only a small amount of energy.

Efficacy of skin delivery
- Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, is a whitening ingredient that inhibits the migration of melanosomes that produce melanin.
- When bio-surfactant's self-assembly capsule is used, the skin penetration of niacinamide was found to increase by more than 18 times (in vitro, Franz cell diffusion assay).
- This can provide better whitening efficacy than when using a high concentration of niacinamide, even with low content, and reduces skin irritation that may be caused by impurities contained in niacinamide.
- It is used for AGE20's Biome Lift Line and other products.

All the technologies for your oral health

There are so many things to consider for your oral health. There are the teeth, which have the hardest structure in the human body, the gums, which are soft and surround the teeth, the periodontium, which anchors the teeth, the tongue, which hosts many microorganisms, and the oral mucosa.

Aekyung's dental care products are developed to keep every part of your oral cavity healthy.

- Remineralization technology to prevent tooth decay, fluoride stabilization technology, and technology to inhibit caries-causing bacteria
- Teeth whitening technology and stabilization technology to recover the original color of your teeth, technology for removing dental plaque and inhibiting its adhesion
- Metal ion sealing technology to prevent tartar and stabilization technology to increase its efficacy
- Dentin tubule sealing technology to prevent tooth decay and relieve symptoms, dentin remineralization research, and inhibition of oral harmful bacteria
- Antibacterial material development technology to prevent gum disease, material stabilization technology, and efficacy enhancement technology by applying various materials
- Oral bacteria inhibition technology to prevent bad breath, technology for removing the cause of bad breath, and active ingredient release control technology to maintain efficacy
- Research for milder foaming system to maintain healthy oral mucosa, and irritation relief technology
- Microbiome research to control oral microorganisms for oral health

Aekyung's research for oral health continues today to fulfill its motto of "preserving 20 teeth until reaching 80 years of age."

Skincaring Makeup

Skincare ingredients are encapsulated within the foundation formula to deliver beneficial ingredients to skin. In the Essence Cover Fact formula, you can feel the burst of moisture essence in liquid form within the solid form of foundation which maximizes hydration.

- It stabilizes water-soluble skincare ingredients within oil-dispersing foundation formula through polymeric gel network structure emulsification.
- When applied to skin, it rapidly releases emulsified particles to instantly deliver moisture and skincare ingredients to the skin.

Technology for Stabilizing High Content Powder Liquid Formula

This technology uses ceramide, a lipid component of the skin barrier, to coat the powder to prevent it from taking away moisture from the skin. The skin-friendly, ceramide-coated powder feels natural on your skin and makes sure your makeup lasts throughout the day.

- Coating the powder with ceramide makes the powder water- and oil-repellent
- Ceramide-coated powder feels natural on your skin, making makeup resistant to sweat and oil, and lasts longer.

Technology for Long-lasting, Well-Applied Makeup

* Concerns about makeup longevity
- When a film forming agent is prescribed in base makeup for longevity, there may be problems with spreadability and crumbling.

* Film forming base technology
- Aekyung's unique Fixable (Fix+Flexible) Film System was developed to provide flexibility and excellent fixation.
- We developed a base makeup technology with excellent applicability by applying a slim stabilization system and optimal powder.

Developed Anti-aging Peptide

Anti-aging ingredients for all ages

"Aging care" is the biggest and most common concern of global consumers. Recently, anti-aging has emerged as a popular keyword not only for people in their 40–50s but also for the 20–30s segment.

Material technology: Naturally derived substance-peptide composite technology

While researching various anti-aging ingredients, we became interested in peptides, which are biocompatible and highly functional. Using the composite material technology that combines peptides and natural-derived antioxidants, we developed an ingredient that can reduce wrinkles and provide whitening effects with increased efficacy and biocompatibility.

Wrinkle-reducing peptide
Wrinkle-reducing peptide AK-AW PEP 2 has the ability to increase collagen synthesis, inhibit collagenase and elastase activities, and has been confirmed to have excellent efficacy in improving wrinkles through human application tests. Aekyung has developed cosmetics with wrinkle-reducing peptides as the main ingredient and completed the review of its efficacy by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety

Whitening peptide
The peptabright (AKW-CMLGN) has the efficacy of inhibiting tyrosinase activity and melanin production, and has been confirmed to have a toning effect by improving skin color through human application tests. Aekyung has obtained the NET (New Excellent Technology) certification from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy for the "technology for peptide derivative of naturally derived substances for whitening cosmetics."

Pseudo-Ceramide AK-3

The role of ceramides in maintaining healthy skin barriers
Located in the outermost layer of the skin that is in constant contact with the outside world, stratum corneum is responsible for keeping the skin moisturized and protecting it from various external stimuli. The stratum corneum is composed of keratinocytes and intercellular lipids. Ceramides, which account for more than 40% of intercellular lipids, play an important role in creating skin barriers by maintaining the lamella structure. When ceramides in the stratum corneum become deficient due to external stimuli or aging, the skin barrier becomes fragile.

Ceramide AK-3, a pseudo-ceramide with increased efficacy and benefits
Despite ceramide's role in the skin barrier, its high cost and low solubility in a formula have limited its widespread application in the cosmetics industry. We developed Ceramide AK-3, which is easy to apply to cosmetic formulas by improving its cost efficiency and physical properties while maintaining the basic structure and benefits, and secured patents in four countries including the U.S., China, and Japan. The efficacy and safety of Ceramide AK-3 have been confirmed through various in vitro and human application tests, and it has been used for our various products.

Animal Testing Alternatives

Most countries have banned animal testing for cosmetics development, led by Europe, which has phased out animal testing in cosmetics since 2004. There is a growing demand for new testing methods to replace animal tests required in the cosmetics development stages. Aekyung has completely eliminated animal testing and introduced alternative testing methods for R&D.

Cosmetic tests using artificial skin models

Artificial skin models, which are similar to real human skin, can be applied to various areas such as skin irritation, moisturization, and skin barriers, and are a great alternative to animal testing that is required between cell tests and human application tests. Aekyung is conducting extensive research on artificial skin models to assess the efficacy and safety of ingredients and finished products without sacrificing animals.

All Natural, Betulin-based Formulation Technology

The need for effective skincare to soothe problematic and sensitive skin
Consumers' desire to keep their skin's natural health using cosmetic products and protect it from outside environments with skin barriers continues to grow. The number of consumers with sensitive skin is increasing, and concerns on environment and the demand for natural and organic products are driving the need for derma products made from safe ingredients and functional solutions that meet expectations for hydrating, rejuvenating, and soothing skin.

All natural emulsifier-free formulation technology using "Betulin"
To discover new natural and organic ingredients for problematic/sensitive skin, we focused on the ingredient "Betulin" extracted from birch bark and sap. "Betulin" is an ingredient with medically proven healing and skin barrier benefits, but it is not well known in Korea. We have developed a natural emulsification technology that stabilizes a large amount of oil without adding surfactants, which are essential ingredients for cosmetic formulas and cause skin irritation, by using "Betulin." We managed to exclude synthetic ingredients and completed the formulation with all natural ingredients, and obtained the Natural Cosmetics Certification from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and proved its efficacy through the German derma test, the British hyperallergenic test, and numerous human application tests. Our products are made from all natural ingredients based "Betulin," and we have completed the efficacy review process by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety as a "cosmetic product that helps with itching by restoring the function of the skin barrier."

Building trust with consumers and growing in the derma cosmetics market with skin barrier products
We are committed to building trust with consumers while driving growth in the derma cosmetics market with focus on beneficial and safe ingredients for consumers who value quality ingredients and look for solutions to soothe their skin and restore its self-sustainability.