This Rare Australian Native Tobacco plant is changing how our skin ages

The process of skin ageing is complex and multifaceted, involving a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. While there is no single solution to reverse skin ageing, we may have found a natural alternative to slow down the ageing process around the delicate eye area.

Australian Native Nicotiana extract; trademarked as Epitensive™ is a new and exciting extract which contains plant-Epidermal Growth Factor (plant-EGF), a protein able to activate the ERK and AKT pathways. These paths are involved in protein synthesis and cellular regeneration peptide to provide mature skin with the right extracellular matrix content and regenerative capacity lost with age. Often peptides are manufactured using bacterial synthesis but this one is different. It is produced using the plant model, N. Benthamiana.

At just 1.5% this ingredient has been producing incredible results in consumer panel testing. Up to 39% and 32% reduction of wrinkle volume and depth after 28 days and up to 10 years of skin physiological rejuvenation after 28 days. Action on skin: Increased hyaluronic acid production, Increased collagen production and boosted elastin levels. This active was tested by the manufacturer on 20 caucasion women aged around 55 years who applied the formula twice a day for 28 days. 

With these results the team at Gracious Minds looked into this skincare extract and formulated an eye serum with 1.5% Nicotiana peptide extract called Shades of Red. Founder of Gracious Minds Kathryn explains: 

"We began the process of working with the peptide Nicotiana back in 2022 and have been so excited to launch our new eye serum as its results amongst our own team have been incredible. We chose to formulate it as an eye serum rather than an eye cream as eye serums are able to penetrate the delicate skin under the eye better than a  cream and eye serums in general are fast-absorbing liquids that contain a higher concentration of active ingredients, such as this super peptide." 

The Australian Nicotinana plant grows across Western Australia, The Northern Territory and into Queensland and its lack of immune system makes this a perfect plant model for peptide synthesis.