What Is Methylsilanol Mannuronate?
Methylsilanol mannuronate is an organic silanol or silicone-based ingredient. It is mainly used in cosmetics and skincare products primarily as an anti-aging ingredient.
Methylsilanol mannuronate is an organic derivative of silicon, which is the 14th element on the periodic table and the second most abundant element in the earth’s crust, after oxygen. Often, the terms “silicon” and “silicone” are mistakenly used interchangeably, when they are actually quite different. While silicon is a natural element, silicone refers to synthetic polymers of repeating units of siloxane or elemental silicon and oxygen.
Silicon is important to nail, hair, bone, and skin health in humans. It is needed for synthesis of collagen and elastin, which are both proteins that help maintain the skin’s youthful appearance.
Understanding the importance of silicon in skin health, the manufacturer Biosil Technologies, Inc. created methylsilanol mannuronate under the trade name ALGISIUM C. Methylsilanol mannuronate can be classified as a silanol, which means it is comprised of a silicone with an -OH group attached. It is then reacted with mannuronic acid, an extract from the brown algae laminaria.
Methylsilanol Mannuronate
the good:May help to support skin health and reduce the visble signs of aging.
the not so good:There isn’t a wealth of information and research into this ingredient and its use in skincare and cosmetics.
Who is it for?All skin types except those that have an identified allergy to it.
Synergetic ingredients:Works well with most ingredients
Keep an eye on:Keep an eye out for further research.
What Are The Benefits of Methylsilanol Marruronate?
In cosmetics and skincare products, methylsilanol mannuronate is primarily used as an anti-aging ingredient because it may have the ability to protect the skin from free radicals, protect collagen and elastin against glycation, stimulate collagen production, reduce inflammation, and promote lipolysis.
Free radicals
Methylsilanol mannuronate functions as an anti-aging ingredient by protecting the skin against free radicals. Free radicals are the unstable molecules that contribute to the formation of premature wrinkles and fine lines on the skin. Methylsilanol mannuronate protects against free radical damage by increasing the resilience and resistance of the cell’s membrane.
AGEs
Another way that methylsilanol mannuronate functions as an anti-aging ingredient is by protecting the structural proteins collagen and elastin from glycation.
Glycation occurs when sugars enter the circulation and attach themselves to the amino groups of tissue proteins, such as collagen, rearranging their structure into something called advanced glycation end products (AGEs).
As a result, AGEs cause once healthy collagen and elastin fibers to lose their elasticity, thereby becoming rigid, more brittle, and prone to breakage. Since methylsilanol mannuronate may protect against glycation, it may help to preserve collagen and elastin fibers.
Collagen
Methylsilanol mannuronate also may have the ability to promote skin regeneration through collagen production. Research indicates that methylsilanol mannuronate increases fibroblast proliferation. Fibroblasts are cells in the connective tissue that produce collagen. By increasing fibroblast proliferation, methylsilanol mannuronate may boost collagen production. The result may make the skin appear more firm, smooth, and youthful.
Lipolysis
Another function of methylsilanol mannuronate in skin care products is to promote lipolysis, which is the breakdown of fats and other lipids by hydrolysis to release fatty acids.
Methylsilanol mannuronate may induce the release of excess fatty acids contained in fat cells, resulting in a mild slimming effect.
Is Methylsilanol Mannuronate Vegan?
Methylsilanol mannuronate is made from both synthetic and plant-based ingredients. This means that it is usually considered to be a vegan ingredient. However, it is always best to check with the brand to ensure that they use plant-based sources and that they are cruelty-free.
Is Methylsilanol Mannuronate Safe?
Methylsilanol mannuronate is considered to be a safe ingredient. However, there is limited information regarding the ingredient generally. Keep an eye out for more research.
