Eyes and lips do a lot of the work when it comes to how we perceive a face – they’re the most expressive, attention-capturing features we have. They’re also often among the first areas to show signs of ageing and fatigue. That means even a small improvement here can have a marked effect on how healthy, rested and youthful someone looks overall.

That’s why we’re excited to introduce HydroxyPro-Lift from Sinerga, a collagen-boosting ingredient that has been designed specifically to improve the appearance of eyes and lips. 

HydroxyPro-Lift is composed of Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline and Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil. The dipalmitoyl acyl groups give the molecule an amphiphilic, lipo-amino-acid (LIPO.AMI.ACI) structure, which solves a common formulation challenge: hydroxyproline on its own is highly hydrophilic and struggles to penetrate skin effectively. Here, the fatty acid portion improves affinity with skin lipids to enhance penetration and bioavailability, while the amino acid portion binds to the hydrophilic active, stabilising it and avoiding excessive membrane disruption.

Hydroxyproline itself is one of the three most abundant amino acids in the collagen helix, so by delivering it more effectively into skin, HydroxyPro-Lift is able to support the fibroblasts responsible for collagen neosynthesis – directly targeting the loss of tone and structure associated with ageing.

• Boosts collagen synthesis in dermal fibroblasts
• Inhibits collagen degradation via MMP-2 enzyme suppression
• Provides a lifting effect on the upper eyelid crease (blepharo-like activity)
• Improves collagen index in the eye contour area, for a re-densifying effect
• Reduces visible signs of skin fatigue, supporting elasticity and resilience
• Increases lip hydration, for softer, plumper-looking lips (hydration is closely linked to how lips look and feel, affecting surface regularity, light reflection and colour) 
• Amphiphilic LIPO.AMI.ACI structure for improved skin affinity and bioavailability
• Preservative-free, COSMOS approved and China compliant

• Collagen gene expression up +17% at 24 hours and +11% at 48 hours (0.06%, vs untreated control)
• MMP-2 expression down -26% at 24 hours and -37.5% at 48 hours (0.06%, vs untreated control)

• Pre-tarsal distance up +9%, vs +1.5% for placebo (HydroxyPro-Lift six times more effective than placebo at delivering a lifting effect on the upper eyelid)
• Collagen index up +6% by ultrasound scanning, vs a -9% decrease with placebo
• Skin fatigue (R9) down -31%, vs -2% for placebo (HydroxyPro-Lift fifteen times more effective than placebo)

• Lip hydration (corneometry) up +3%, vs a -9.5% decrease with placebo

HydroxyPro-Lift is well suited to:

• Eye contour serums, emulsions and masks with a lifting or re-densifying claim
• Elasticising and collagen-boosting longevity/pro-ageing skincare
• Blepharo-like tweakment-inspired formulations
• Lip balms, glosses and masks focused on hydration
• Active, hybridised make-up for both eyes and lips

With a recommended dosage of just 0.5-2%, HydroxyPro-Lift is a straightforward, well-evidenced addition to eye and lip-focused formulations.

If you’d like to look at more information, request a sample, or talk through how HydroxyPro-Lift could work in your next formulation, get in touch with the HARKE UK & Ireland technical team – we’re always happy to help.