The winning ingredient Belight3 is a patented oral nutricosmetic solution (formulated as an oral supplement in capsules, gummies and sticks), designed to reduce age- and sun-related dark spots. It blends grape seed extract, licorice extract, grape pomace extract and coated vitamin C to target melanin production at the source by inhibiting tyrosinase activity by 85%.
Activ’Inside upcycles the by-products of grapes from the Champagne region, which it says are up to five times richer in beneficial and bioavailable monomers than other Vinifera varieties.
Belight3 is designed as a natural and effective alternative to conventional skin-brightening treatments in a sector long plagued by illegal topical products containing mercury, a neurotoxin that can damage multiple organs. In response, the company identified a clear market need for safer innovations in this space.
Skin hyperpigmentation arises from various factors, including oxidative stress from aging, UV radiation, diet and pollution. The ingredient works by regulating melanin production and reducing oxidative stress—key factors in hyperpigmentation. It also shows visible brightening within six weeks, with consumers reporting improvements as early as 11 days.
Unlike topical-use bleaching creams that act on the surface, Belight3 works from within to regulate melanin production and reduce hyperpigmentation at its root.
Different grapes, different molecules
According to Benoit Lemaire, CEO and co-founder at Activ’ Inside, there are more than 200 different grape varieties in France alone, and grapes grown in different regions, for example Champagne or Bordeaux, have different molecules.
“The composition is different and therefore there are different benefits,” he explained
Activ’ Inside started the business by assessing grape polyphenols for their brain health and memory benefits before moving on to assess benefits for sleep and skin health.
Lemaire noted that as Belight3 is an antioxidant, it can also deliver effects beyond the skin health benefits.
Commenting on the 2025 Nutraingredients Award win, Lemaire noted that the uplifting impact of being a winner is very important for the company.
“The team has worked very hard for this,” he said. “We are all proud and we’re all celebrating. It’s motivating to work in a winning company, especially as we are a small company in comparison to some of the other businesses in this industry.”
Backed by strong clinical trials
Belight3’s efficacy is backed by strong clinical evidence from two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, demonstrating its benefits across different skin phototypes, sun exposure levels and ages.
In vitro studies showed an impressive 85% inhibition of tyrosinase.
The first study was conducted on Asian skin types (phototypes 3-4) in Thailand, where the participants were more prone to hyperpigmentation due to genetics and year-round sun exposure. It showed a 24.5% overall skin brightening and a 76.8% dark spot lightening compared to placebo.
“The first study was done in Bangkok, and the participants were people who worked outdoors in the sunlight without wearing sun protection, who were aged 48 or over, which meant that they already had dark spots,” Lemaire explained.
”We selected these conditions as it would therefore be easy to show that the ingredients worked well. We had very good results, and it was clear that this ingredient reduced dark spots.”
The company then evaluated the ingredient in individuals with lighter skin tones to assess its effectiveness in preventing hyperpigmentation.
A separate second study was conducted on Caucasian skin (phototypes 1-3), focusing on younger participants with lower sun exposure, as the trial was carried out during winter. Here, the primary effect observed was dark spot lightening by 22% and improvement of skin complexion evenness, as observed by a dermatologist.
“We did this study in Italy to prove the efficacy in totally different conditions,” Lemaire said. “We chose Italy because people living there still have some sun exposure and we chose a younger population, so we could see if the product worked in terms of preventing of hyperpigmentation.”
The study showed a global reduction in facial hyperpigmentation in the Belight3 treatment group.
“The percentage of skin occupied by dark spots showed an opposite trend according to the treatment: A slight progressive increase in the percentage was observed in the placebo group peaking at +3.5% at T84, whereas a slight and progressive decrease in the percentage of skin occupied by dark spots was highlighted in the Belight3 group,” the researchers noted reported.
By conducting these two distinct trials, Lemaire said Activ’Inside has demonstrated that Belight3 not only reduces dark spots but can also be used long-term for preventative care.
