Korean gov set to approve weight loss claim for Cosmax’s hydrangea extract after study

14 Jan 2022 --- Weight loss claims made by Korea-based cosmeceutical and dietary supplement manufacturer Cosmax Group are set to be approved by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety regarding its Hydrangea serrata leaf supplement. The news means that its weight loss claims are tested and supported by data, offering consumers security in its efficacy.

The Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has already approved the ingredient for skin health claims in Korea, having launched last year.  

Dr. Yu-Kyong Shin, senior researcher at CosmaxBio Inc, tells PersonalCareInsights that approval is a rigorous process. “Normally in Korea, it takes four to five years to approve one ingredient because it needs science-based evidence and clinical data as well,” she explains.

The supplement may be taken for both weight loss and skin health. “Consumers are able to consume 300 mg per day for skin health, and 600 mg per day for body fat reduction,” says Dr. Shin  

Cosmax says the internal beauty market has more opportunities than the traditional beauty market.“We plan to make not only pills or capsules but also jelly sticks and powder formulations.”

A product for weight loss and skincare
According to Dr. Shin, the market in Korea for products making weight loss claims is enormous. 

Korea is home to one of the world’s largest markets for products making weight loss claims, she remarks, “Hydrangea serrata leaf extract is able to make dual-claims of both skin health and weight loss.”

The study, released in the journal Nutrients this January, concluded the vegan ingredient was safe and effective for consumers and that regular use significantly reduces body weight and fat mass. It is Cosmax’s most robust study to date on the efficacy of their extract in aiding weight loss.

Dr. Shin emphasizes that CosmaxBio is quite strong in the area of research. “We’ve conducted studies regarding joint and bone health, body fat related probiotics and hair loss.” She says their past studies have included the work of clinical research centers, universities and government organizations. 

A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study
Cosmax’s study was conducted among 93 adults in Korea aged 19-65. Each participant had a body mass index (BMI) of 25-32, thus classifying them as “overweight” to “obese” on the BMI scale. 

Those with “uncontrolled” hypertension, undergoing treatment for serious illness, taking insulin, heavy medication or weight loss drugs were excluded. The researchers also excluded those who’d had recent significant weight fluctuations, alcohol-induced disorders or musculoskeletal disorders.  

The experimental group was instructed to take a 600-mg tablet of H. serrata extract daily over 12 weeks, while the control group was given an identical tablet not containing the ingredient.Korea is one of the world's largest markets for weight loss products.

Patients with a compliance rate of less than 80% were excluded from the final results.

The researchers found a significant difference in the groups’ body weight and fat masses after the study. Body fat percentage in the experimental group lowered, while in the control group, it rose. After weighing participants, the researchers found that the experimental group’s weight had lowered, while the control group’s weight did not change significantly.

A new era for “diet pills”
While often considered unsafe in the past, due to discoveries in nutrition and the emergence of the internal beauty market, Dr. Shin believes public opinion regarding “diet pills” is rapidly changing.

“The inner beauty market in Korea grew roughly ten times in eight years, surpassing US$42 million in 2011 from US$420 million in 2019,” she says. 

“Moreover, the market size is predicted to grow to US$1 billion in 2022.”

Mask use and social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic have supported the growing internal beauty market. “Above all, a self-medication trend will continue to emerge, and consumers are paying more attention to their beauty by themselves. Therefore, consumers are spending more on inner beauty supplements and self-care cosmetic items.”

She also mentions the emergence of “hybrid” products that integrate both the traditional beauty market and the market for beauty-from-within. “Hybrid products have already existed worldwide but will grow regardless. For example, collagen is used in both supplements and cosmetics. In the future, liquid collagen is able to be taken as a shot or used on the skin.”

By Olivia Nelson