# Folate: Beyond Pregnancy – A New Frontier in Skin Health
Vitamin B9 (folate) is essential for cell division and DNA synthesis, making it a pregnancy must-have. But research shows folate’s benefits extend far beyond reproduction-it supports cardiovascular health, fertility, mood balance, cognitive, and bone health.1
Now, new evidence reveals Quatrefolic®, the active folate form, effectively protects skin structure from environmental stressors like sun exposure. This finding has sparked growing interest from both women and men, opening an exciting new market for this powerful vitamin.2
## New Evidence, New Market Opportunity: Skin Health
Skin health is more than simply reducing wrinkles and preventing a dry, dull texture. Reducing free radicals and inflammation generated by direct sun exposure protects the structure of the skin and its normalised regeneration (healthy skin regenerates itself every 27 to 30 days).
One-carbon metabolism needs folate as this vitamin is essential for skin cell growth, repair, and regeneration. However, solar radiation reduces skin folate levels, impairing these processes.
Unlike folic acid, bioavailable 5-MTHF as Quatrefolic® has shown improved stability, penetration, and antioxidant properties, making it a promising skincare ingredient.Previous studies demonstrate Quatrefolic®’s ability to protect dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced oxidative stress, enhance their proliferation, reduce DNA damage, and support collagen synthesis. These findings highlight Quatrefolic®’s potential as a science-backed solution for anti-aging and photoprotection. Folate as Quatrefolic® has been shown to boost DNA repair and synthesis, which is necessary for healthy skin cell production and turnover, antioxidant activity, and enhanced collagen production. Thus,it contributes to skin health and protection against sun-induced damage.
New research shows Quatrefolic® 5-MTHF supports healthy skin by protecting against sun damage.3 Dermal cells were exposed to UVA radiation, then treated with 5-MTHF before or after. The results were impressive:
• 5-MTHF was re