Feb
Beauty, Skincare, Trends & Opinions
The Role of Biotechnology in Creating New Skincare Ingredients
Biotechnology is revolutionizing skincare. No longer is the industry solely dependent on plant extracts, essential oils, or synthetic chemicals. Today, biotech-driven ingredients are redefining what’s possible, offering more sustainable, potent, and bioavailable compounds. From lab-grown peptides to genetically engineered bacteria producing hyaluronic acid, the future of skincare is happening at a cellular level.
This shift is not just about performance but also sustainability. Traditional ingredient sourcing—whether from plants or animals—can strain ecosystems and lead to deforestation, overharvesting, and ethical concerns. Biotech provides an alternative: creating high-performance ingredients with a smaller environmental footprint.
How Biotech is Transforming Skincare
Modern biotechnology allows scientists to engineer, ferment, and synthesize skincare ingredients in controlled environments, eliminating variability and improving purity. These lab-created actives mimic or enhance the function of naturally derived ingredients, often improving their stability and effectiveness.
One of the biggest advances has come from biofermentation, where yeast, bacteria, and algae are used to produce powerful skincare actives. This process can generate everything from stabilized vitamin C to plant-based collagen.
Then there’s synthetic biology, which enables the creation of entirely new molecules designed for targeted skin benefits, such as boosting hydration or reducing inflammation.
Biotech-Driven Ingredients Leading the Market
Some of the most exciting biotech skincare ingredients include:
- Lab-Grown Collagen: Traditional collagen is sourced from animal tissue, but biotech companies are now producing it through fermentation, eliminating the need for animal-derived sources. This makes it vegan and more sustainable while maintaining high bioavailability.
- Biofermented Hyaluronic Acid: Instead of extracting hyaluronic acid from animal sources, biotechnology allows for its production using bacteria and yeast, creating a more ethical and pure version.
- Peptides and Growth Factors: Engineered peptides can stimulate collagen production, improving skin elasticity and reducing wrinkles.
- Microbiome-Friendly Actives: Scientists are harnessing the power of probiotics and postbiotics to enhance skin barrier health, reduce inflammation, and prevent breakouts.
Leading Companies Using Biotechnology in Skincare
Geltor – Lab-Grown Collagen
Geltor is at the forefront of bioengineered collagen. Their HumaColl21 is a human-identical collagen produced entirely through fermentation, providing a vegan, highly bioavailable alternative to traditional animal-derived collagen. It’s used in luxury and clean beauty brands looking to innovate without compromising on sustainability.
Codex Labs – Plant-Based Biofermentation
Codex Labs is pioneering the use of biotech fermentation to create potent skincare actives. Their Shaant Complex, made from fermented botanicals, helps regulate sebum production, reduce redness, and restore balance to acne-prone skin.
Arcaea – DNA-Engineered Ingredients
Arcaea, a biotech beauty startup, is developing novel skincare ingredients using genetic engineering. They aim to harness DNA sequencing and fermentation to create new, highly effective skin-friendly compounds.
Amyris – Biofermented Squalane
Amyris has successfully replaced shark-derived squalane with a sugarcane-derived biotech alternative. This bioengineered squalane is identical in function to traditional squalane but is vegan, sustainable, and purer.
Biossance – Biotech-Powered Skincare
Biossance, a brand powered by Amyris, utilizes biotech squalane in all its formulations. Their Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil is one of their best-selling biotech products, offering deep hydration and antioxidant protection.
https://biossance.com/products/squalane-vitamin-c-rose-oil
EpiBiome Beauty – Microbiome Science
EpiBiome Beauty focuses on microbiome-balancing skincare, developing probiotic and postbiotic-based formulations that nourish the skin’s natural ecosystem. Their Probiotic Barrier Repair Cream helps restore and strengthen the skin barrier.
🔗 https://www.epibiomebeauty.com/
The Future of Biotech Skincare
The next phase of biotechnology in skincare will go beyond ingredient replacement. Scientists are working on bioengineered ingredients that can respond dynamically to skin conditions, activating only when needed. This “smart skincare” concept could significantly enhance efficacy while minimizing irritation.
Moreover, with advancements in personalized skincare, biotech will play a key role in developing ingredients that adapt to individual skin microbiomes and genetic compositions. Brands may eventually offer completely customized formulas based on a person’s unique biology.
Biotechnology isn’t just an upgrade to skincare—it’s a transformation. The ability to engineer, optimize, and sustainably produce high-performance ingredients will continue reshaping the beauty industry. As science advances, so will our approach to healthier, more resilient skin.
Biotechnology is rapidly transforming the skincare industry, offering innovative solutions that enhance product efficacy, sustainability, and safety. Industry leaders and experts are increasingly recognizing the potential of biotech to revolutionize beauty products and meet evolving consumer demands.
Innovation and Consumer Engagement
Wendy Nicholson, managing director at Baird, emphasizes the importance of innovation in the beauty sector. She notes that companies like L’Oréal and Puig have excelled by introducing novel products and engaging consumers effectively. Nicholson points out that while makeup experienced a downturn in 2024, there’s potential for resurgence if brands can deliver groundbreaking offerings. She also highlights skincare as a domain poised for continuous breakthroughs, especially with the integration of treatments like injectables inspiring new product developments.
Sustainability and Ingredient Sourcing
Jasmina Aganovic, CEO of biotech beauty startup Arcaea, discusses the environmental challenges of traditional ingredient sourcing. She explains that relying solely on plant-based ingredients is unsustainable, as Earth’s capacity to produce these resources is limited. Aganovic advocates for biotechnology as a means to create sustainable alternatives, reducing the environmental impact of beauty products.
Advancements in Personalized Skincare
L’Oréal Group is leveraging biotechnology to develop personalized skincare solutions. Anne Colonna, the group’s global head of advanced research, highlights their commitment to sourcing sustainable, high-performing, and safe ingredients through biotech innovations. A notable achievement is the development of endolysin, a biotech-derived enzyme targeting the skin’s microbiome to address conditions like eczema. This enzyme is utilized in La Roche-Posay’s endobioma technology, offering targeted performance previously unattainable.
Consumer Demand for Efficacy and Transparency
Andrew McDougall, global beauty and personal care analyst at Mintel, observes a shift in consumer behavior towards embracing biotech innovations. He notes that consumers are increasingly seeking products that maximize routine efficacy with minimal effort, leveraging biotech advancements and artificial intelligence for tailored, results-oriented beauty solutions.
Challenges and Considerations
While biotechnology offers numerous benefits, experts advise caution regarding quality control and ethical considerations. Sigrún Dögg Guðjónsdóttir, chief research and development officer at Bioeffect, emphasizes the need for careful monitoring of safety, ethical implications, and environmental impacts as the industry progresses.
In summary, industry opinions reflect a growing consensus that biotechnology is set to play a pivotal role in the future of skincare. By fostering innovation, promoting sustainability, and meeting consumer demands for effective and transparent products, biotech is poised to redefine beauty standards and practices.
