U.S. Cosmetics Corporation introduced a new whitening extract developed by Ichimaru Pharcos. The ingredient, Clairju, is an extract derived from prunes that is reported to inhibit skin darkening by decreasing the appetite of keratinocytes for the melanin-producing melanocytes. By minimizing the transfer of melanin to the keratinocytes, skin darkening is minimized.
According to the company, the ingredient can be used in conjunction with conventional skin whitening agents, and is approved for use as an additive in quasi-drug whitening products in Japan.
