18 february 2025
Cosmax introduces White Plussome™: a new functional skin-whitening ingredient approved by the Korean MFDS
Korean cosmetic manufacturing powerhouse Cosmax revealed the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) approved their functional1 skin-whitening ingredient White Plussome™ as a non-notified raw material.
Non-notified raw materials refer to raw materials with functional properties that have not received prior approval from the Korean MFDS but have been developed in-house and subsequently tested, reviewed, and approved by the MFDS.
The science behind White Plussome™
White Plussome™ is skin-whitening active ingredient formulated with Plussome™, a plant-based cationic skin delivery system developed by Cosmax. Plussome™ is a technology that helps cosmetic ingredients absorb better into the skin by leveraging the natural electrical charges present in both the skin and the delivery system of the cosmetic active ingredients to promote electrostatic attraction.
The technology has won five domestic and international awards for its innovative approach, including the prestigious IR52 Jang Young-sil Award from the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Korea Engineering Award, and the Prime Minister’s Commendation Award in the Industrial Technological Innovation and Practicalisation category.
White Plussome™ was developed by combining Cosmax’s Plussome™ technology with the functional1 skin-whitening ingredient Niacinamide. In tests conducted on artificial skin models, White Plussome™ showed a penetration rate of active ingredients that was 45 times higher than that of the control group. The ingredient has also been shown to significantly reduce the appearance of dark spots and enhance overall skin brightness when compared to an anionic delivery system containing the same active ingredient.
Global ambitions
Cosmax intends to launch products featuring White Plussome™ as the main active ingredient in both domestic and international markets.
Notes:
1. In Korea, “Functional Cosmetics” are defined as a category of cosmetics with specific functions that help alter the condition of skin or hair, as opposed to products that are simply hydrating. In Korean skincare there are only 5 recognised categories of functional cosmetics: Whitening, Anti-wrinkle, Rinse-off Acne Treatments, UV Protection, and Skin Barrier Restoration.
“Functional Cosmetics” are subject to pre-market approval and they are typically (but not always) formulated with “functional ingredients” that have been pre-approved by the Korean authorities. Functional cosmetics can also be formulated with unapproved functional proprietary ingredients, but these ingredients (known as non-notified raw materials) must undergo testing, review, and approval by the MFDS.
Source: Cosmax.
Words: © 2025 Odile Monod.
Visuals: Cosmax.
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