This month, L’Oréal Groupe announced the launch of a new molecule designed to address localised pigmentation issues, which lead to age spots and post-acne marks.

Called Melasyl, the revolutionary molecule was first unveiled at the World Congress of Dermatology in 2023, then recently featured at the American Academy of Dermatology’s annual meeting. According to L’Oréal Groupe, the discovery of Melasyl represents a significant advancement in the field of skincare.

“With half of all people reporting skin pigmentation issues and a third of these experiencing lower quality of life as a result, the impact of visible spots or post-acne marks is clearly more than skin deep,” said Anne Colonna, Global Head of Advanced Research at L’Oréal Groupe. “Melasyl is a first-of-its-kind ingredient that helps to address localized skin pigmentation issues, with proven efficacy and wide accessibility that will enable more people to regain their self-confidence.”

What is Melasyl?

The development of Melasyl comes after 18 years of rigorous testing involving 121 research studies. This multi-patented ingredient works inclusively across all skin tones to improve the appearance of pigmented marks on the skin, providing a more even and natural skin tone. The innovation is now available in La Roche-Posay’s Mela B3 range, with plans for future product launches from L’Oréal Paris and Vichy.

The science behind Melasyl lies in its ability to improve melanin production, which is essential for the vast spectrum of human skin tones. Factors such as sun exposure can disrupt normal melanin production, leading to pigmentation issues. L’Oréal’s formulations containing Melasyl have been clinically proven to improve the appearance of dark spots, including stubborn ones, with demonstrated efficacy and safety for all skin tones.

Speaking to Cosmetic Business, Peggy Sextius, Chef de Laboratoire at L’Oréal, explained that Melasyl has a different mechanism of action from other cosmetic ingredients that act on pigmentation. “Most current solutions try to reduce the activity of the enzyme that triggers the production of melanin pigments, tyrosinase, while Melasyl connects with some melanin precursors and catches them like Pac-Man. It intercepts them before they mark the skin, thus preventing excessive accumulation of melanin in the skin.”

Main image: La Roche-Posay