Dren Active: say goodbye to water retention!

Temperatures are starting to rise, the days are getting longer, summer is on its way, bringing with it the sea, light clothing and, of course, that unpleasant feeling of bloating known as water retention.

Let’s get to grips with what this actually is. Water retention is the tendency for the body to retain fluids. The main sign of water retention is oedema, a condition in which the build-up of fluid in the tissues causes them to swell abnormally. Due to impaired venous and lymphatic circulation, numerous toxins accumulate alongside these fluids, which disrupts cellular metabolism—already compromised by the reduced supply of oxygen and nutrients. The result: the formation ofcellulite.

The causes of water retention are varied:dietary, circulatory, medication-related and, finally, pathological.

In such cases, it is advisable to ‘take precautions’ by implementing measures that are more or less drastic depending on the situation.

The fundamental solution lies in a good diet and adequate physical activity; what we commonly refer to as a healthy lifestyle.

The beauty industry, always ready to provide us with tools to improve our appearance, also offers significant support. DREN ACTIVE is our latest innovative product to combat bloating, water retention and cellulite.

Dren Activeis an emulgel based onBIOSLIM-PF andPHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINEwith a specific cooling effect to combat the appearance of cellulite. The synergy of the ingredients promotes the drainage of excess

The synergy of the ingredients promotes the drainage of excess fluids, preventing them from being retained in the tissues; the cooling effect relieves swollen legs.

Bio-Slim PF

BIO-SLIM PF is a concentrated natural active ingredient of plant origin which produces a slimming effect through the local treatment of cellulite and by improving skin firmness.

of the skin. The main components of BIO-SLIM PF are:

• Xanthine bases: caffeine, theophylline
• Amino acids: threonine
• Botanical substances: escin, seaweeds such as Laminaria digitata and Fucus vesiculosus, and plants such as Equisetum arvense and Hedera helix.

Thanks to the presence of caffeine, theophylline and threonine, BIO-SLIM PF promotes the conversion of excess stored lipids into free fatty acids and improves the elimination of water and free-floating toxins.

It also strengthens the capillary walls.

The escin it contains improves microcirculation, promotes the elimination and drainage of fatty acids, toxins and retained fluids, enhances tissue oxygenation and reduces capillary permeability.

Fucus vesiculosus and Laminaria digitata are seaweeds very rich in minerals, mucilage, vitamins and provitamins. They act as stimulants of metabolism and circulatory activity. They have

emollient and moisturising properties.

Ivy is very rich in saponins and flavonoids, which have anti-oedema and vasoconstrictive properties: it reduces capillary permeability and water retention and has a significant lipolytic effect.

Finally, Equisetum arvense has a significant healing effect which helps to prevent stretch marks.

CYCLOSYSTEM COMPLEX® WITH CARNIPURE®

Cyclodextrins are cyclic oligosaccharides produced by the molecular breakdown of starch by the enzyme cyclodextrin glucosyltransferase (CGT); they are therefore to be regarded as biotechnological products obtained from raw materials of entirely plant origin.

In addition to the remarkable moisturising properties inherent to the cyclic sugar molecule, cyclodextrins, thanks to their well-known controlled-release properties, ensure a significant increase in the activity of the complexed active ingredient and a significant reduction in any irritation issues associated with the active ingredient in its free state. They also make the substances they contain—whether fat-soluble or water-soluble—more stable and resistant to oxidation, degradation by air and temperature, etc.

In this cream, the active ingredient contained within the cyclodextrins is Carnipure® L-Carnitine, which exerts a decisive and effective energising and detoxifying action at the mitochondrial level by facilitating the transport of long-chain fatty acids across the mitochondrial membrane.

This process is crucial for the metabolism of triglycerides, the main components of adipose tissue. L-CARNITINE CYCLOSYSTEM COMPLEX® is therefore highly recommended for use in all products designed to combat cellulite.

Phosphatidylcholine

Phosphatidylcholine is one of the main ingredients in many body care products, particularly those designed to combatcelluliteandlocalised fat deposits. It is a phospholipid, that is to say, a lipid containing phosphoric acid. It is found in abundance in the human body and is an essential component of the plasma membrane, the cellular lining that protects the nucleus and enables the exchange of substances with the outside world.

Phosphatidylcholine is a very important phospholipid because, together with proteins, it forms the cell membrane. It is found in the human body, but also in certain foods such as soya lecithin, liver and egg yolk. It was only after years of research and study into this substance that its potential uses in the field of aesthetics were fully understood, particularly in combating cellulite and localised fat deposits.

Although these two imperfections are linked to fat, they are two different and distinct problems that can coexist.

Cellulite is a very common physiological condition which, when it becomes chronic, can be regarded as a medical condition. One of the main causes is a negative alteration in blood and lymphatic microcirculation. This capillary fragility leads to the leakage of serum and fluids, which accumulate in the interstitial spaces, causing them to swell and further impairing microcirculation. As the adipose tissue is no longer properly supplied with water, it begins to retain water, causing its own cells (adipocytes) to swell. Over time, this inflammation damages the fat fibres and creates the well-known ‘orange peel’ appearance on the skin’s surface.

Localised fat, on the other hand, refers to all accumulations of fat in specific areas of the body such as the stomach, hips, arms, thighs and buttocks. Unlike cellulite, localised fat is more ‘democratic’, as it affects both men and women equally. These accumulations are caused by genetic factors but, above all, by unhealthy habits, such as a sedentary lifestyle and a poor diet. They are also influenced by factors such as genes, gender, age and overall body fat percentage.

Phosphatidylcholine acts on both types of fat. The mechanism is quite complex but can be summarised as a ‘fat-dissolving’ action. It is in fact capable of solubilising the fat contained within adipocytes, thereby reducing the volume of the adipose tissue. It is clear that, in the case of localised fat and cellulite, this leads to an improvement and reduction in swelling in the affected area.

The dissolved fat is then reabsorbed and eliminated via the main lymphatic drainage pathways. Furthermore, another distinctive feature of phospholipids is that, as they have a structure similar to that of internal plasma membranes, they act as a ‘carrier’ for active ingredients which, otherwise, would be unable to pass through the epidermis and would have little effect.

Menthol and Menthyl Lactate

Menthol is a natural cyclic triterpene alcohol found in many plants. It has been known since ancient times and has been used for numerous therapeutic purposes. However, despite

However, despite its widespread use, its mechanisms of action—particularly its cooling effect—have only recently been studied. The secret lies in a molecule called TRPM8, an ion channel protein which, with every drop in temperature, changes shape and structure.

Whenever the temperature drops, it changes shape and voltage, opening up like a door and allowing calcium ions to flow into the nerve cells. This mechanism creates an electrical current which, via the nerves, transmits the sensation of cold to the brain. This protein is not only sensitive to changes in temperature, but also to menthol: when menthol binds to TRPM8, it activates it, causing the same sensations as an ice cube – an almost anaesthetic cold that temporarily numbs the affected area of skin or mucous membrane.

Menthyl Lactate is a derivative of menthol esterified with lactic acid, which stimulates the skin’s cold receptors, providing a pleasant sensation of coolness without altering the temperature of the epidermis.

the temperature of the epidermis. Compared to menthol, it has a gentler but longer-lasting effect and, being lighter, is less irritating. It is therefore also suitable for sensitive skin.

Centella asiatica

Centella asiatica, also known as tiger grass, is a medicinal plant belonging to the Apiaceae family. In Ayurvedic medicine, it is one of the most important medicinal plants due to its antibacterial properties.

most important medicinal plants due to its antibacterial properties and its ability to promote healing of ulcers, wounds and scars.

This plant has a variety of cosmetic properties:

• Antibacterial, useful for irritated and burnt skin
• Promotes the formation of peripheral blood vessels by stimulating circulation
• Promotes collagen production, ideal for mature skin
• Reduces scarring

However, this plant is widely used in herbal medicine as a remedy for venous insufficiency and capillary fragility.

Indeed, the plant is believed to increase venous tone and exert a protective effect on the walls of blood vessels (particularly venous walls).

against the walls of veins). More specifically, these effects are attributable to the triterpene fraction contained in Centella itself and have been confirmed by several clinical studies conducted on the subject.

These studies have indeed shown how extracts of the plant are able to improve symptoms associated with chronic venous insufficiency (such as, for example, the sensation of heavy legs) thanks to centella’s ability to stimulate collagen synthesis in the vein walls.