Active principles

 

For over 30 years, Laboratoires Expanscience has produced innovative, reliable and effective active cosmetic and nutraceutical active principles, thanks to its control of the supply chain and of pharmaceutical plant extraction. This has made Expanscience a recognized supplier to leading cosmetic brands in France and abroad.

 

The primary task of the Laboratoires Expanscience research teams is to develop relevant and original active principles, in cooperation with the company’s marketing departments.  Specializing in plant chemistry and more specifically in lipid chemistry, the Plant Extraction Laboratory of the R&D Center focuses particularly on fatty substances extracted from plants (oils, unsaponifiables and substances with lipophilic properties). The active ingredients developed are then incorporated into Expanscience product formulas or made available to the cosmetics industry.

 

A long and complex process
The development of an active principle starts with the quest for new plant raw materials. Prospectors travel the world for Laboratoires Expanscience, seeking original substances selected for their potential within the lines of development defined by the company, particularly in terms of safety and sustainable development.

 

Once delivered to the R&D Center in Epernon, these raw materials are processed to extract the most valuable parts, which are then tested at length to determine the exact nature of their biological activity.  If this activity is innovative and corresponds to market demands, the plant extract then enters into a testing phase: its innocuousness, effectiveness, freedom of use and compliance with local and international legislation are rigorously assessed.  Particular attention is paid to criteria related to sustainable development (biodiversity conservation, biopiracy prevention, etc.). Finally, the active ingredient can be produced on an industrial scale and incorporated into cosmetics formulas.

 

The pharmaceutical culture of Laboratoires Expanscience guarantees its consumers extremely strict methods in the development of active ingredients: their safety, stability, quality and effectiveness are proven by a wide range of tests.

 

The plant world, an inexhaustible source of innovation
For the past several years, Expanscience research has focused particularly on two plants with exceptional properties in terms of dermo-cosmetics: the avocado, which helps to restructure the skin, reduce its sensitivity and combat excessive sebum secretions; and the lupin, a plant with anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory benefits.

At the same time, Expanscience has also developed active principles based on soya, maca root, sunflower, sesame, wheatgerm, Amazon oils, etc., which have many dermo-cosmetic benefits: moisturizing, anti-ageing, anti-wrinkle, sebum-regulating, exfoliating, sun protection, hair care, etc.

 

Ethical procurement

Laboratoires Expanscience sets itself strict rules on procurement: the entire production environment of its raw materials is taken into account. Company suppliers and subcontractors are encouraged to respect biodiversity and local populations, and partners with certification or internal charters in respect of fair trade are given favorable consideration. For several years now Expanscience has implemented a continuous improvement approach, taking the form of regular audits in the field and an educational approach to its suppliers.

New European legislation

Since early 2007, R&D has been producing an extensive inventory of the ingredients used in Expanscience products. This inventory has been produced to meet the requirements of the new European REACh regulations, which require industrial firms to record the chemical substances they produce which are destined for contact with human beings and the environment. The purpose of the REACh regulations is to improve protection of human health and the environment in Europe.