Skincare Encapsulation: Why Our Dark Spot Serum Is Smarter, Not Harsher

Skincare innovates fast, but one recent technology has revolutionised how we develop ‘smart’ products like our new Advanced Dark Spot Corrector Serum: Encapsulation.

What Is Skincare Encapsulation and Why Does It Matter?

At its core, ingredient encapsulation protects active ingredients within a cushiony outer layer (or microcapsule). This process stabilises sensitive ingredients, and gives skincare formulators more control over how and when an ingredient interacts with the skin. (1)

Kojic Acid Stays Pure, Potent and Protected

Kojic acid, despite its effectiveness against dark spots, is also highly unstable and can easily degrade. Stability encapsulation is used to encase kojic acid in liposomes to block any light, air and heat from affecting it. This protective layer only dissolves once it reaches the skin, so the kojic acid is always delivered in its purest form. (3)

What Are Liposomes?

Liposomes are tiny pouch-shaped vesicles, used to encapsulate both hydrophilic (water-loving) and lipophilic (oil-loving) ingredients. (4)
Tip: A product’s [‘Best before’ / ‘Use by’] date tells you if it’s still safe to use, not whether it’s still effective. This date isn’t a guarantee that the actives in your product are still potent.

Powerful Glycolic Acid is Delivered with Precision

Glycolic acid reacts well with most skin types and treats many conditions. But, like all exfoliating actives, using too many at once can disrupt your skin barrier and cause irritation.
In Advanced Dark Spot Corrector Serum, a layer of cyclodextrin is used to control the release of glycolic acid (5%). Rather than a high-impact hit all at once, this type of encapsulation ensures a steady, long-lasting release, targeting conditions such as rough skin texture, dullness and visible sun damage, without feeling too harsh. (5)
Important Insight: Adding more treatments or serums to your routine isn’t always better. With skincare, using strong products without following professional advice can backfire—causing irritation, inflammation and more dark spots.

What is Cyclodextrin?

Cyclodextrins are made up of groups of sugar molecules shaped like tiny doughnuts. Their unique structure allows them to “trap” active molecules like glycolic acid inside. (6)

In a nutshell

Encapsulation gives scientists, and skincare users, more control over how their products are formulated: how well they perform, how simple they are to use at home, how they feel on the skin, and how long they last on your bathroom shelf. The main benefits of encapsulation are

– Stability: Actives like kojic acid stays potent for longer.
– Efficacy: Controlled release of glycolic acid improves performance and skin tolerance.
– Longevity: Better shelf life leads to less waste and more potent products.
– Compatibility: Multiple actives can co-exist in one dark spot serum without interacting negatively.
– Comfort: Reduced harshness means a better user experience, and longer-term results.

Whether it’s through liposomes, cyclodextrins, or other advanced methods, encapsulation is a scientific leap that means the ingredients in your dark spot serum can target your condition with precision – and deliver long-term results.
Discover our new Advanced Dark Spot Corrector Serum here.
Find out which formulas are suitable for your skin by visiting our website.

References
1. Khezri K, Saeedi M, Morteza-Semnani K, Akbari J, Hedayatizadeh-Omran A. A promising and effective platform for delivering hydrophilic depigmenting agents in the treatment of cutaneous hyperpigmentation: kojic acid nanostructured lipid carrier. Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology. 2021 Jan 1;49(1):38–47.
2. Mukherjee S, Date A, Patravale V, Korting HC, Roeder A, Weindl G. Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety. Clinical Interventions in Aging. 2006 Dec;1(4):327–48.
3. Khezri K, Saeedi M, Morteza-Semnani K, Akbari J, Rostamkalaei SS. An emerging technology in lipid research for targeting hydrophilic drugs to the skin in the treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders: kojic acid-solid lipid nanoparticles. Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology. 2020 Jan 1;48(1):841–53.
4. Gonzalez Gomez A, Syed S, Marshall K, Hosseinidoust Z. Liposomal Nanovesicles for Efficient Encapsulation of Staphylococcal Antibiotics. ACS Omega. 2019 Jun 21;4(6):10866–76.
5. Esteso MA, Romero CM. Cyclodextrins: Properties and Applications. International Journal of Molecular Sciences [Internet]. 2024 Apr 21;25(8):4547–7. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11050477/
6. Musuc AM. Cyclodextrins: Advances in Chemistry, Toxicology, and Multifaceted Applications. Molecules. 2024 Nov 12;29(22):5319–9.