One of the innovative ingredients in the Absolute CellActive™ Code
Dormin: A Key Ingredient for Slowing Cellular Aging
The innovation of Atomy Absolute CellActive Skincare lies in two key elements: the CellActive™ Code, formulated with highly potent active ingredients, and the CellActive™ Technology, a delivery system that precisely targets areas of skin concern. The CellActive™ Code features four primary ingredients—plant-derived high-purity EGF, Dormin, Yosemite Ferment Extract, and Lupin Protein—optimized in ideal proportions. Let’s take a closer look at Dormin to understand what it is and how innovative it is.
"Dormin" derives its name from the Latin word dormire, meaning "to sleep." It is an extract obtained from daffodil bulbs, applying the plant’s natural ability to regulate its own life cycle to the field of skin science.
Daffodils undergo cycles of growth and rest as the seasons change. During winter, the cells within their seeds or bulbs become less active and enter a state of dormancy. In this period of rest, the daffodil protects its cells from damage while preparing for the next growing season. Researchers discovered that this natural mechanism could be translated into skin science, which ultimately led to the development of Dormin.
Fibroblasts are cells located within the dermis that produce collagen and elastin, which are essential for skin elasticity and resilience. However, when fibroblasts divide excessively or become overly active, the increased cellular energy consumption can reduce the skin’s regenerative capacity, contributing to wrinkle formation and overall skin aging. Dormin helps regulate fibroblast activity to prevent excessive proliferation, supporting the skin’s maintenance of a healthy, balanced state.
mTORC1 functions as a sensor that promotes cell growth and protein synthesis. However, when it is produced and activated in excess, cells expend energy too quickly, the rate of cell division accelerates, cellular lifespan shortens, and reactive oxygen species increase. These changes ultimately lead to reduced skin elasticity and the formation of wrinkles. Dormin helps slow cellular aging by suppressing mTORC1 overproduction and regulating its activity to maintain a balanced state.
Telomeres are cap-like structures that protect the ends of chromosomes. They become shorter with each cell division, and once they become too short, cells can no longer divide and enter a state of aging. Dormin helps extend cellular lifespan by reducing telomere loss and preventing them from shortening too quickly.
As cells age, their telomeres gradually become shorter. Once telomeres reach a critically short length, cells can no longer divide and enter a state of aging. Dormin helps slow this aging process by reducing telomere loss.
Procollagen-1 is the precursor protein in the stage before collagen is formed. Dormin promotes its synthesis, thereby increasing collagen production and helping improve skin elasticity.
According to the abstract titled "Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract Delays Cellular Senescence..." (No. 246), presented at the JID 2020 Conference, both in vitro and clinical trial results confirmed that Dormin produced significant improvements (p < 0.05) in skin wrinkles, elasticity, pigmentation, and barrier function.
While most ingredients in skin care products focus on functions like 'antioxidant' or 'moisturizing,' Dormin has a unique function: slowing cellular time. Skin aging is not simply a problem of visible wrinkles on the surface, but rather a matter of how healthily cells maintain their functions. Dormin is precisely the ingredient that slows this cellular-level aging process and preserves the skin's inherent vitality. In summary, Dormin applies the 'dormancy' principle of narcissus flowers to extend cellular lifespan, promote collagen production, and help maintain youthful, elastic skin. This clearly demonstrates the innovation that led to Atomy Absolute CellActive Skin Care winning prestigious awards such as the Jang Young‑shil Award and the King Sejong the Great Award.
