Reduce dark circles and under-eye bag formation with the help of the latest Premium Root Power skincare active from Clariant Natural Ingredients. Launched today, Rootness Awake is an enriched extract of inflammation-fighting compounds obtained from sustainably-grown Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato) roots. It offers science-backed efficacy in reducing discoloration and ensuring firmness, promoting a revitalized more youthful eye contour.

The eye contour area is one of the first places where signs of fatigue and aging appear. The skin here is exceptionally thin which means the bluish-red hue of the vascular network is easy to see. Low contents of collagen and elastic fibers also make the area more sensitive to shadowing due to skin laxity and sagging. Inflammation in cells caused by pollution and UV radiation, stress, chronic lack of sleep, and an unhealthy lifestyle is known to exacerbate disruption to this area and the visible effects.

“Dark circles and puffiness accentuate a tired appearance and are common beauty concerns regardless of gender and age,” comments Julie Droux, Senior Technical Marketing Specialist, Clariant Natural Ingredients. “Plant Milking Technology has enabled us to use an eco-friendly process to discover active molecules with potent properties in sweet potato roots, and to create an enriched extract with high efficacy in tackling many of the biological pathways responsible for alteration of the eye contour. Rootness Awake gives formulators new, unique opportunities to develop effective targeted care and eye contour products that contribute to progressing sustainability in skincare.”

Rootness Awake counters the fragility of the eye contour by focusing on key aspects: decreasing the release of inflammatory mediators, helping reduce the microvascular network, and ensuring skin thickness, integrity and firmness are strengthened. All of these combine to reduce under-eye pigmentation and edema (fluid build-up). It achieves this as a result of the high concentration of active compounds Dicaffeoylquinate esters (DCQE).

The extract’s activity is demonstrated in in vitro, ex vivo and also clinical evaluations. In tests over 28 days on women aged 18-35 years showing constant signs of fatigue, Rootness Awake is shown to improve and smooth out dark circles, reduce puffiness, and strengthen eye contour stiffness. The overall result is a lightened, more “awake” eye contour.

Through Rootness Awake, formulators and brands have the assurance of an active based on valuable plant compounds that could not be economically extracted from traditionally cultivated plants. Plant Milking Technology respects biodiversity and the environment by focusing on soilless aeroponic cultivation, which is non-destructive to plants and which has multiple benefits compared to conventional methods in relation to land use, water use, and maximizing harvests. Plant cultivation and production of the active take place at the same location, enabling 100% traceability from seed to active ingredient.