Lime Pearl™ AF

Finger lime extract comes from the fruit of a shrub called Microcitrus australasica, native to the rainforests of Australia's east coast. It produces beautiful small, green to purple citrus fruits. The flesh contains pearly white, green or pink vesicles that resemble caviar. It is rich in organic acids, particularly citric acid. It also contains polyphenols, flavonoids and sugar. This edible fruit has long been carefully harvested by Indigenous people and is still used in fine dining today. In the mouth, the vesicles release a pleasant flavour, sweeter than lemon, and leave a grapefruit aftertaste. It is often added to martinis or champagne, or used as an exotic garnish. This natural organic extract is obtained from the fruit of this unique plant and is used in cosmetics as a stabilised blend with glycerine and water for better solubility and application. The plant grows in a subtropical climate, and its fruit is harvested by hand, ensuring high quality and preserving bioactive substances such as enzymes and AHA acids.

For cosmetic use, it is specifically designed to stimulate skin desquamation (the shedding of dead skin cells). It works through an innovative mechanism that affects the activity of the TRPV3 channel. This channel is found on keratinocytes (living skin cells), which are involved in the natural desquamation process. Activating them weakens the bonds between cells, stimulates cell division and initiates the shedding process. Epidermal turnover slows with age, making it very important to stimulate this process. Finger lime extract increases the number of TRPV channels and stimulates exfoliation by activating them. It also exfoliates thanks to its AHA acids and fruit enzymes, which dissolve the bonds that hold cells together. Its polyphenols soothe the skin and have antioxidant properties, while the removal of excess dead skin cells supports skin barrier renewal. The typical concentration in products is around 1-5 %, depending on the formulation.

We particularly recommend it for dry, sensitive, mature, dehydrated and oily skin prone to clogged pores. For sensitive skin, it is ideal as a gentle enzymatic exfoliant that minimises irritation, while for oily and acne-prone skin, it helps to clear pores and reduce shine. Mature skin benefits from stimulated cell turnover to help address wrinkles and loss of elasticity. Dry and dehydrated skin benefits from a smoother, more radiant appearance. Frequency: 1-3 times a week, depending on skin type, always followed by moisturising skincare.

A study by Trinity Bioactives (2022) confirmed that AHA-rich finger lime extract supports fresh, radiant skin when combined with other ingredients, with 88 % of respondents reporting firmer skin after 4 weeks. Other sources state that the enzymes in the extract smooth the skin and minimise the appearance of pores, improving the absorption of products applied afterwards.