In the cosmetics and personal care industry, whether you’re formulating the next big shampoo as a chemist or applying the newest trending lotion as a consumer, you are wholly participating in and influencing the fashion that drives the industry. As fashion goes, innovation, latest technology, and waves of trends are ever-present and constantly changing. However, there are ingredients within this sphere that boast a specific type of timelessness, safe from the ever-changing landscape of beauty technology, existing solely as a mainstay in modern formulation. Such is the story for Centella Asiatica, known also as Indian Pennywort, Gotu Kola, or, in Korea, ByoungPool.

ByoungPool, native to Southeast countries like India and China, has shown a history of use spanning thousands of years. In China, it was even reported as one of the “miracle elixirs of life”, a status that has withstood the test of time. ByoungPool is known for its skin regenerating properties, with activities such as healing wounds, improving blood circulation, and even preventing wrinkles. However, the history of ByoungPool extends beyond its skin benefits: native people of Sri Lanka associate it with longevity, and ayurvedic medicine found it to rejuvenate and clear the mind, perfect for meditation.

 Looking deeper at the science behind its use, most of the activity associated with ByoungPool can be attributed to its saponin content, also known as triterpenoids. The four most notable are madecassoside, madecassic acid, asiatic acid, and asiaticoside. Studies suggest that some of these triterpenoids can stimulate type I collagen synthesis, which plays a significant role in structuring the skin in the dermis. Additionally, other studies indicate that ByoungPool saponin extracts improve the tensile strength of skin, leading to increased elasticity. Further studies suggest anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, all leading to an overall promise of healthy, structurally sound skin.

The ByoungPool used in Riman’s (the mother company) Incellderm technology is a specialized strain known as Giant ByoungPool, grown solely on Jeju Island in Korea for Riman’s use. This patented technology ensures that the additional benefits of a larger leaf size are exclusive to Riman’s technology. While the comparison between giant and regular ByoungPool is still being studied, early efforts have shown that the larger leaves of the giant ByoungPool plant boast higher polyphenol contents and higher antioxidant activity, along with the traditionally understood benefits of skin firming and structuring.

A collaborative study with Seoul National University even found that our giant ByoungPool had a significant anti-wrinkle effect and reduced hyperpigmentation. While more is still to be discovered on the different fractions and subspecies of ByoungPool, one thing is for sure - its presence in the beauty industry will last for years to come. The multiple routes of skin treatment, extensive history of use, and application in both body and mind are why Riman chose to center not only on Incellderm’s formulation but also its philosophy around the beauty of ByoungPool. 

With our exclusive claim to a specific strain of ByoungPool, we offer both its traditional benefits and the opportunity to reinforce them with new data and procedural methodologies. This allows us both an intimate understanding of which molecules truly work for your skin and the opportunity to formulate optimally with those molecules. In doing so, we offer traditional claims with unprecedented performance.