Activated Silk™ 8A-α Bioactive Brightening Peptide

A bioactive
brightening
peptide for a
more radient future.

INCI: Soluble Fibroin

  • Visibly Reduces Hyperpigmentation
  • Naturally Derived
  • Sustainable01
  • Visibly Increases Skin Brighness
  • Cruelty-free

01 Activated Silk™ biotechnology contributes to 8 of 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Activated Silk™ 8A-α Bioactive Brightening Peptide

The future is bright. And less hyperpigmented.

After years of discovery and development, we’re excited to introduce Activated Silk™ 8A-α. Created from natural resources and developed using the principles of biotechnology, it’s an incredibly stable, non-irritating bioactive peptide that visibly improves hyperpigmentation and skin brightness.

  • Reduces appearance of hyperpigmentation01
  • Visibly calms and soothes skin redness01
  • Easy to formulate with
  • Increases appearance of skin brightness01
  • Gentle enough for everyday use
  • Suitable for sensitive skin and use in the sun

01 Based on a clinical study of 18 subjects using 0.5% Activated Silk™ 8A-α over a 28-day use period

Activated Silk™ 8A-α Bioactive Brightening Peptide

A good solution every step of the way

We have spent over ten years innovating Activated Silk™ biotechnology on a mission to promote the health of people and the planet. So we designed Activated Silk™ 8A-α to support a circular economy – a system where materials don't become toxic “forever” waste and nature is regenerated.

Meaningful sustainability.01 By supporting the circular economy.

  1. Farming of Renewable Resources Sericulture farms capture CO2 Pesticide-free Regenerative farming practices
  2. Upcycled Ingredients Silk cocoons sourced as a waste product of the natural animal-food industry Cruelty-free process No toxic chemicals involved
  3. Life Sciences Company Innovates Ingredients Renewable energy No harmful effluent Proprietary process using only silk protein, water and salt
  4. Brand/CMO Innovates Products Ingredients shipped to you in dry format, reducing CO2 burden by ~90% and plastic packaging by ~50%02
  5. Consumer Healthier-looking skin. Not really part of circularity, but a pretty great part of the circle.
  6. Formula is Rinsed Away Skincare formulas are eventually rinsed down drains.
  7. Ingredients Harmlessly Biodegrade, Returning to Carbon Cycle They return to the carbon cycle, instead of persisting in the environment.

01 Activated Silk™ biotechnology contributes to 8 of 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
02 Compared to standard 55-gallon drum liquid ingredient

Activated Silk™ 8A-α Bioactive Brightening Peptide

Introducing the bioactive peptide that convinces skin to leave visible hyperpigmentation behind.

Activated Silk™ 8A-α supports natural late-stage differentiation to visibly improve hyperpigmentation in the epidermis. It’s not about inhibiting the skin’s systems, or using harsh ingredients to break skin’s natural bonds. It’s about encouraging the body to quicken its own natural process of replacing old or damaged skin cells to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation. It’s like natural exfoliation, from the inside out.

Activated Silk™ 8A-α is a more natural solution for visible hyperpigmentation reduction.

It supports a natural increase in late-stage cell differentiation, a natural process that moves old and damaged cells up and out through the cornified layer, making way for new healthy cells. Exfoliation from the inside out.

What is differentiation?

Differentiation is the life cycle of epidermis skin cells called corneocytes.

Activated Silk™ 8A-α supports the final stages of differentiation.

The outermost layer of the epidermis, where natural late-stage differentiation occurs, also happens to be where the damaged and hyperpigmented cells are found. By supporting the area where these old, overly melanin-rich spots live, the body is more rapidly able to push them up and out through the cornified layer, replacing them with new, healthy cells.

When late-stage differentiation speeds up, the body gives a signal: involucrin.

The body produces involucrin, a naturally occurring protein, during late-stage differentiation. An increase in involucrin production signals an increase in late-stage differentiation.

Activated Silk™ 8A-α Bioactive Brightening Peptide

What the freckle is hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation occurs when melanocytes become overactive and produce excessive melanin. This can happen due to triggers like sun exposure, skin injury, or hormonal changes. The excess melanin is unevenly distributed, leading to dark patches or spots on the outer layer of the epidermis.

Before, application, and after use of 8A-α

Before use of 8A-α

Activated Silk™ 8A-α Bioactive Brightening Peptide

Stop visible hyperpigmentation at the source.

After the trigger event is over, the melanocyte returns to normal activity and stops producing excess melanin. When Activated Silk™ 8A-α is applied to the skin, it surrounds the cells in the outermost layer of the epidermis, where the melanin-rich cells are located.

DOSAGE: 1X treatment of 0.5% Activated Silk™ 8A-α LENGTH OF STUDY: 24h

Before, application, and after use of 8A-α

Before use of 8A-α
Application of 8A-α

Activated Silk™ 8A-α Bioactive Brightening Peptide

Exfoliate skin from the inside out.

Activated Silk™ 8A-α supports natural late-stage differentiation. Hyperpigmented skin is pushed out and naturally replaced with new, healthy-looking skin. As this portion of the differentiation process speeds up, the body supports the natural production of involucrin, a valuable foundation protein.

DOSAGE: 1X treatment of 0.5% Activated Silk™ 8A-α LENGTH OF STUDY: 24h

Before, application, and after use of 8A-α

Before use of 8A-α
Application of 8A-α
After use of 8A-α

Activated Silk™ 8A-α Bioactive Brightening Peptide

A powerful, proven peptide for visibly brighter skin

Activated Silk™ 8A-α supports the final stages of natural differentiation. The body signals when late-stage differentiation is being sped up by producing more involucrin.

DOSAGE: 1X treatment of 0.5% Activated Silk™ 8A-α LENGTH OF STUDY: 24h

Validation of Mechanism of Action Involucrin Cell Nuclei

MODEL:
Immortalized human epidermal keratinocytes (KerCT)

TEST METHOD:
Immunofluorescence-based measurement of involucrin-positive cells

Conclusions

Compared to a no-treatment control, treatment with 8A-α shows a ~4X fold change in involucrin – a naturally-occurring protein associated with increased rate of late-stage differentiation.

Activated Silk™ 8A-α Bioactive Brightening Peptide

More brightness. Less visible hyperpigmentation. Radical radiance.

We conducted a head-to-head clinical study versus a control against major skin appearance indications. Subjects were instructed to apply Activated Silk™ 8A-α to one side of their face twice daily and no topicals to the other side (control). Participants were not allowed to use other skincare products with active ingredients or undergo any facial skin treatments during the 28-day study period, which was preceded by a 7-day washout period.

DOSAGE: 1X treatment of 0.5% Activated Silk™ 8A-α LENGTH OF STUDY: 24h

Activated Silk™ 8A-α vs. Control Expert Graded

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS:
18

TYPE OF SUBJECTS:
Females, ages 36-66, qualified as having dark spots associated with hyperpigmentation by principal investigators

Conclusions

100% of participants demonstrated improvement in appearance of hyperpigmentation.01

01 Based on RGB color analysis, change assessed across 3 areas of the face – the forehead, cheek and chin; 15 participants demonstrated improvement in at least one of these 3 areas treated with 8A-α

Activated Silk™ 8A-α Bioactive Brightening Peptide

More brightness. Less visible hyperpigmentation. Radical radiance.

We conducted a head-to-head clinical study versus a control against major skin appearance indications. Subjects were instructed to apply Activated Silk™ 8A-α to one side of their face twice daily and no topicals to the other side (control). Participants were not allowed to use other skincare products with active ingredients or undergo any facial skin treatments during the 28-day study period, which was preceded by a 7-day washout period.

Activated Silk™ 8A-α vs. Control Images taken with Visia Scan

RGB Color Analysis: Ratio of red vs. green light reflected from skin

The presence of hyperpigmentation and skin redness visually quantified on a scale of 1 (black) to 28 (white)

Conclusions

Activated Silk™ 8A-α reduces the visible appearance of hyperpigmentation.01

01 Based on RGB color analysis, change assessed across 3 areas of the face – the forehead, cheek and chin; 15 participants demonstrated improvement in at least one of these 3 areas treated with 8A-α

Activated Silk™ 8A-α Bioactive Brightening Peptide

More brightness. Less visible hyperpigmentation. Radical radiance.

100% of participants demonstrated improvement in appearance of hyperpigmentation01 and increased brightness.

Visible Improvement in Skin

Visia Scan Images
RGB Color Analysis

01 Based on RGB color analysis, change assessed across 3 areas of the face – the forehead, cheek and chin; 15 participants demonstrated improvement in at least one of these 3 areas treated with 8A-α

Activated Silk™ 8A-α Bioactive Brightening Peptide

More brightness. Less visible hyperpigmentation. Radical radiance.

100% of participants demonstrated improvement in appearance of hyperpigmentation01 and increased brightness.

Visible Improvement in Skin

Conclusions

Noticeable improvement across multiple locations on face.

01 Based on RGB color analysis, change assessed across 3 areas of the face – the forehead, cheek and chin; 15 participants demonstrated improvement in at least one of these 3 areas treated with 8A-α

Activated Silk™ 8A-α Bioactive Brightening Peptide

More brightness. Less visible hyperpigmentation. Radical radiance.

100% of participants demonstrated improvement in appearance of hyperpigmentation01 and increased brightness.

Visible Improvement in Skin

Conclusions

Noticeable improvement across multiple locations on face.

01 Based on RGB color analysis, change assessed across 3 areas of the face – the forehead, cheek and chin; 15 participants demonstrated improvement in at least one of these 3 areas treated with 8A-α

Activated Silk™ 8A-α Bioactive Brightening Peptide

Scientifically developed for safety01

Activated Silk™ 8A-α is the gentle, natural way to visibly enhance the evenness and radiance of skin. Gentle enough for daily use, safe for sensitive skin and for use in formulations beyond night creams.02

No Harsh Side Effects

  • 100% Agree the product caused no noticeable skin flaking or peeling02
  • 100% of participants said they saw a calming effect on the redness of their skin02
  • 94% Agree skin is not irritated by daily use of the product02

01 Based on completion of HRIPT, heavy metal testing, ASTM D5338 biodegradability and aquatic toxicity testing
02 Based on a clinical study of 18 subjects using 0.5% Activated Silk 8A-α over a 28-day use period

Activated Silk™ 8A-α Bioactive Brightening Peptide

A bioactive team player

Activated Silk™ 8A-α bioactive peptide solution could supercharge your existing formulas.

8A-α

Used alone, Activated Silk™ 8A-α will support natural late-stage differentiation. This helps to establish a cycle of visibly restored and rejuvenated skin, whilst reducing the visible appearance of hyperpigmentation, blemishes and redness. This will promote brighter, more radiant, younger-looking skin.

8A-α + Exfoliants

Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) is an effective treatment for the removal of unwanted skin features. Combining AHA with the use of Activated Silk™ 8A-α can help support skin rejuvenation, resulting in healthier-looking skin.

8A-α + Vitamin C

As vitamin C works to inhibit melanin-producing enzymes, Activated Silk™ 8A-α can reduce the visible appearance of hyperpigmented blemishes, resulting in a multifunctional formula.

Activated Silk™ 8A-α Bioactive Brightening Peptide

Brighter skin. And a brighter future.

Not only does Activated Silk™ 8A-α bioactive peptide make skin appear brighter and less hyperpigmented, it also makes the planet healthier. Unlike the fossil fuel-derived petrochemicals often used in skincare products, Activated Silk™ 8A-α bioactive peptide is a more sustainable ingredient to create more sustainable products and help you hit your sustainability and natural ingredient marks.

Sustainability Claims

  • Naturally Derived
  • Biodegradable
  • Cruelty-Free (Leaping Bunny Certified)
  • Not formulated with Petrochemicals
  • Nontoxic01
  • Non-GMO
  • Made From a Renewable Resource
  • Supportive of a Circular Economy
  • Made With Renewable Energy
  • Reduces Packaging / Shipping Footprint
  • Upcycled

01 Based on completion of HRIPT, heavy metal testing, ASTM D5338 biodegradability and aquatic toxicity testing

Activated Silk™ 8A-α Bioactive Brightening Peptide

Shipping with a softer footprint

Activated Silk™ 8A-α bioactive peptide solution is shipped in lyophilized tablet form. You then combine the tablets with RODI water to make a 10% (w/v) solution.

When compared to standard liquid, waxy or petrolatum ingredients, Activated Silk™ 8A‑α:

  • Reduces the shipping burden by 90.5%01
  • Reduces plastic packaging by 56%01
  • Is renewably sourced, Upcycled and biodegradable making it supportive of a circular economy
  • Is compact for easy storage Compact

01 Compared to standard 55-gallon drum liquid ingredient

Activated Silk™ 8A-α Bioactive Brightening Peptide

Let’s formulate a healthier
future together.

Data Substantiations (available upon request)

  • Expert Grading
  • 28-Day Clinical Study