While we all know that new, innovative skin-care ingredients and products hit shelves daily, there are certain hero ingredients that have established themselves as superior. And, now, we rarely consider anything else. Whether it be hyaluronic acid or glycerin for hydrating or vitamin C for brightening, there are tons of ingredients we gravitate towards for an array of issues. But, like all things, skin care is not one-size-fits-all, and finding your ideal skin-care routine can often mean departing from what you know and experimenting with something new.
Enter malassezin: the brightening ingredient you didn't know you needed. As a beauty editor, it's rare for me to come across an ingredient I've never heard of. You can imagine my surprise when I heard the brand educators at Mother Science discussing malassezin in the brand's new launches. I learned quickly, though, that malassezin was more than just a buzzy, new term. Ahead, experts explain all things malassezin and why it might be the missing piece to your skin-care puzzle.
Featured Experts
- Marisa Garshick, MD is a dermatologist in New York
- Edna Coryell is the CEO of Mother Science
What is malassezin?
"Malassezin works through different mechanisms to reduce discoloration, including reducing melanin synthesis and is also gentle on the skin and won't lead to skin sensitivity or irritation," Dr. Garshick begins. "It has antioxidant benefits that can help to reduce discoloration and help brighten the skin. Unlike other lightening ingredients, malassezin is not considered a tyrosinase inhibitor but rather works to reduce melanin production at different steps in the process. This also makes it a great option to use in combination with other lightening ingredients for increased benefits and results."
How does malassezin work? How is it different from vitamin C?
When it comes to skin-brightening ingredients, vitamin C tends to dominate the space. You may be asking yourself how malassezin is different than vitamin C. Coryell explains, "Malassezin is a novel, patented landscape-changing ingredient that is a 10x more powerful antioxidant than vitamin C. This molecule, which naturally occurs on [the] skin, has the unique ability to target hyperpigmentation, improve the skin’s moisture barrier [and] provide potent antioxidant protection for powerful benefits without irritation." Coryell also adds that further research on malassezin revealed its ability to help repair the skin barrier.
If you haven't heard of malassezin, there's a good reason why. Coryell notes that Mother Science "is the first and only brand to use malassezin." This move has established the brand as a pioneer in this new brightening space. "Our research on malassezin has shown it is a truly landscape-changing ingredient with many benefits," Coryell continues. "By leveraging advanced techniques, such as genetic analysis of the skin, we’ve unlocked critical insights into how our ingredient works on a molecular level. This allows us to create targeted, high-performance formulations that address skin concerns with precision."
The Mother Science Molecular Hero Serum ($89) combines malassezin and niacinamide. These ingredients work to brighten and hydrate, along with alpine rose extract that reduces redness and improves elasticity. Plus, carnosine smooths fine lines and wrinkles. "Malassezin works to target hyperpigmentation through a novel mechanism allowing it to work well with the brightening activities of niacinamide." Similarly, Coryell explains that "Mother Science Retinol Synergist ($96) pairs malassezin with retinol for dramatic fine line and wrinkle reduction with minimal irritation." This product also contains skin-identical lipids that protect the skin barrier. "Malassezin works to reduce the retinization process allowing us to create a strong retinol formulation with minimal irritation."
Mother Science has even more launches on the horizon featuring malassezin, so if you're looking to add the product to your routine, you'll want to stay tuned.
