Silab has introduced Metallomia, a detoxifying active ingredient developed specifically for menopausal skin. The French manufacturer says the ingredient is built around ferritinophagy, the process that ensures controlled iron release to meet cellular needs.
According to Silab, a modeling study on menopausal skin revealed a deficiency in ferritinophagy. That deficiency reduces bioavailable iron and contributes to premature skin aging, a phenomenon the company calls metallo-aging. UV exposure can make the problem worse, Silab says, because UV favors the degradation of iron/ferritin complexes. This leads to a massive, uncontrolled release of iron and significant oxidative stress.
A targeted mechanism
Metallomia is positioned to relaunch ferritinophagy in menopausal skin. In Silab’s account, this helps facilitate iron delivery and reactivates the main epidermal functions. By reducing iron/ferritin complexes, the active also aims to limit oxidative stress when skin is exposed to UV. Silab says this targeted mechanism significantly reduces metallo-aging.
The company reports several clinical observations. After 14 days, Caucasian volunteers showed revitalized skin, a reinforced skin barrier and a more unified, radiant complexion. In Asian volunteers, pigment spots were significantly reduced after 28 days. When Caucasian volunteers applied the ingredient before UV exposure, Silab says it prevented lipid peroxidation and limited the appearance of redness within hours after exposure.
Taken together, Silab’s positioning links menopausal skin aging to iron handling and UV-driven oxidative stress. Metallomia is presented as a targeted response to ferritinophagy deficiency rather than a general anti-aging active, with use in menopausal skin care and before UV exposure. The company-reported outcomes cover barrier function, complexion, pigmentation and redness after defined treatment or exposure periods.
Marshmallow root sourcing
Silab developed Metallomia by studying the molecular composition of marshmallow roots, which are particularly rich in mucilages. The company set up a traced supply chain with French partners. It says the supply has been validated against criteria described in the European Pharmacopoeia and authenticated by DNA barcoding.
To make use of the roots’ mucilage content, Silab developed a specific enzyme engineering process to extract polyuronides. Metallomia is a patented active ingredient recommended for all care products intended for menopausal skin at a dose of 0.5% to 2%.
The ingredient is available in aqueous solution and is described as easy to formulate. Silab says it complies with biodiversity regulations and has a natural origin content of 100% according to ISO 16128. It also complies with international cosmetics regulations in Europe, the United States, China, Japan and other markets, the company says.