Sustainable Olive Pomace Extracts for Skin Barrier Support

Area of Science:

• Cosmetic Science
• Natural Product Chemistry
• Sustainable Chemistry

Background:

• Olive pomace, an olive oil production byproduct, presents disposal challenges and environmental risks.
• It is rich in polyphenols, offering potential for cosmetic applications, particularly in skin barrier support.
• Developing eco-friendly extraction methods for valuable compounds from agricultural waste is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a natural, antioxidant-rich extract from olive pomace using sustainable solvents (water and 1,3-propanediol).
• To evaluate the extract's efficacy for skin barrier support in cosmetic formulations.
• To ensure the safety and sustainability of the extract for cosmetic use.

Main Methods:

• Phenolic composition analysis using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-QqTOF-MS).
• In vitro assessment of antioxidant activities including DPPH radical scavenging, ABTS radical scavenging, and beta-carotene/linoleic acid system oxidation inhibition.
• Evaluation of antiglycation activity and incorporation into cosmetic emulsions to assess antioxidant capacity compared to tocopherol acetate.

Main Results:

• Extracts showed significant reducing capacity and flavonoid content.
• High antioxidant activity was demonstrated, surpassing tocopherol acetate in several assays.
• Key compounds hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein were quantified, and 33 compounds were identified in the most potent extract.
• The extract exhibited antiglycation properties and effectively replaced tocopherol acetate in cosmetic emulsions due to its antioxidant capacity.

Conclusions:

• Sustainable extraction methods using non-toxic solvents yield a safe and effective natural cosmetic ingredient from olive pomace.
• The developed extract supports skin barrier health through its potent antioxidant and antiglycation properties.
• This approach valorizes agricultural byproducts, promoting a circular economy in the cosmetic industry.