The tonic is said to be particularly special as the company says the mulberry extract has been a reputed ingredient used in scalp hair growth tonics and skin whitening products for years but had yet to be applied to the lash area.
“The root for the eyelash tonic is obtained through a different extraction process than that used for skin whitening purposes to achieve an effect of recovering the hair cycle,” says a company spokesperson.
How it works
According to Fuji-Sangyo, like the hair on the head, eyelashes constantly repeat a growth cycle. However, eyelash growth is shorter and completes in only 120-150 days.
Moreover, the company points out that while the extract is for the scalp is dissolved in alcohol, the version for eyelashes uses a milder solvent, 1,3 butylene glycol, produced using the natural fermentation of sugar canes.
Efficacy tests
A topical application was applied twice a day on 28 females aged 25-39 over an 8 week period. Results showed the tonic to be effective, with applicants reporting 100 per cent growth within the allocated timeframe, according to the company.
Eye irritancy, primary skin irritation and human patch testing was also carried out before the formulation got the go ahead to enter the market.
The finished product ‘Granmore’, is a combination of the mulberry extract dissolved in natural butylene glycol of 10 per cent, which the company recommends to be applied to the base of the eyelashes twice a day, in the morning and at night after removing make-up.
In-cosmetics
This year’s in-cosmetics event, held at the Gran Via exhibition centre in Barcelona from the 17-19 April 2012, was said to be bigger than previous editions with over 530 exhibitors taking up 11,700 m2 of floor space.
The event played host to more than 50 new exhibitors from countries including China, Korea and Switzerland, as well as welcoming back companies such as Croda, DSM and Merck.