Podcast Summary: The Science Behind Inflammation and Aging With Denday CEO Joshua Britton

Skin Anarchy delves deep into the intricate relationship between inflammation and skin aging in its insightful episode featuring Joshua Britton, CEO of Denday. Hosted by Dr. Ekta, this episode unpacks the scientific foundations that drive Denday’s innovative skincare solutions, emphasizing the critical role of inflammation in skin health and aging.

1. Introduction to Joshua Britton and Denday

At the outset [00:00], Dr. Ekta introduces Joshua Britton, highlighting his transition from academia to leading Debut and subsequently founding Denday. Britton shares his motivation for bridging the gap between laboratory science and consumer skincare products, emphasizing the rarity of advanced scientific research translating into household products.

Joshua Britton [01:03]: "Most science stays in the lab. We wanted to ensure that groundbreaking research makes its way into people’s homes and has a tangible impact."

2. Understanding Inflammation and Inflammaging

The conversation pivots to the concept of inflammation, distinguishing between acute and chronic forms [02:50]. Britton explains that while acute inflammation is the body's immediate response to injury, chronic inflammation—termed "inflammaging"—is a persistent, low-level state that significantly contributes to skin aging.

Joshua Britton [02:50]: "Inflammaging is a chronic, low-level form of inflammation that persists over time, even in the absence of an immediate threat."

3. Denday’s Scientific Approach and Ingredient Discovery

Denday’s commitment to scientific rigor is evident as Britton discusses their extensive screening process, which involves analyzing 50 billion molecules to identify effective solutions for consumer needs, with inflammaging emerging as a primary focus [01:17].

4. The Significance of Naringenin

A pivotal moment in the discussion is the introduction of naringenin, Denday’s hero ingredient [05:40]. Britton elaborates on how naringenin was discovered through meticulous genomics and proteomics research, showcasing its remarkable ability to reduce inflammatory markers like IL6 by 15-fold compared to niacinamide.

Joshua Britton [05:40]: "In the preclinical assays to the protein assays, we saw a reduction of IL6 by 15 fold compared to niacinamide."

5. Importance of Proper Formulation and Dosage

Ekta and Britton delve into the critical aspect of formulation, stressing that the efficacy of active ingredients hinges on their concentration and delivery method [07:25]. Britton emphasizes that Denday meticulously formulates products to ensure that ingredients like naringenin are used at clinically effective concentrations, avoiding the pitfalls of overloading formulations which can lead to skin sensitization.

Ekta [09:07]: "If you don't put it in the right formula, if you don't have the right concentrations, you're not going to be able to really see that benefit."

6. Critique of Current Skincare Practices

A significant portion of the discussion critiques prevalent skincare practices, particularly the use of high concentrations of popular ingredients like niacinamide and vitamin C, which often lead to adverse effects without delivering proportional benefits [11:59].

Joshua Britton [11:05]: "Niacinamide has its benefits, but formulators have typically gone really high on it, leading to skin sensitization issues."

7. Commitment to Scientific Rigor and Clinical Testing

Britton underscores Denday’s unwavering dedication to scientific validation, highlighting that all their products undergo rigorous double-blind clinical trials to ensure efficacy [12:31].

Joshua Britton [12:30]: "We take those same lessons as the pharmaceutical companies on how we find ingredients, create them and how we create the formulations."

8. Stance on Emerging Trends: Exosomes

Addressing current trends, Britton expresses skepticism towards exosome technology in skincare, labeling it as "complete crap" due to its lack of scientific backing and unreliable efficacy [24:15].

Ekta [24:15]: "It is complete crap."

Joshua Britton [24:19]: "It is complete crap."

9. Future Outlook for Skincare Industry’s Scientific Evolution

Looking ahead, Britton envisions a future where dermatology-backed, scientifically rigorous products dominate the market. He believes that the integration of pharmaceutical-grade science with beauty products will set new standards for efficacy and consumer trust [14:52].

Joshua Britton [14:52]: "In five to ten years time... dermatology backed products with cutting edge science and clinical testing will be the only products available on market."

10. Conclusion and Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with mutual appreciation for the emphasis on science-driven skincare. Ekta invites listeners to explore Denday’s offerings and encourages feedback, while Britton hints at upcoming innovations from Denday that promise to further advance the intersection of beauty and science [27:09].

Joshua Britton [27:05]: "Let’s hope we get back here in 10 years time and we can look at what's being sold and we've done good."

Key Takeaways:

• Inflammaging: Chronic inflammation is a significant contributor to skin aging, necessitating targeted solutions.
• Naringenin: A breakthrough ingredient discovered by Denday, demonstrating superior anti-inflammatory properties.
• Formulation Precision: Effective skincare relies on the correct concentration and delivery of active ingredients.
• Scientific Rigor: Denday prioritizes clinical testing and scientific validation to ensure product efficacy.
• Skepticism of Trends: Trends like exosome technology lack scientific support and are viewed skeptically by Denday.
• Future of Skincare: A shift towards pharmaceutical-grade, clinically backed products is anticipated to redefine the skincare industry.

This episode of Skin Anarchy offers a comprehensive exploration of how cutting-edge science and a deep understanding of inflammation are shaping the future of skincare. For listeners seeking evidence-based skincare solutions, Joshua Britton and Denday provide a compelling blueprint for effective, scientifically validated beauty products.