We are in the early stages of a biotech revolution in beauty that will catapult products to new heights of performance and innovation. While this revolution is gaining momentum across several categories in beauty, skincare is taking the lead with breakthrough claims linked to novel bioactive ingredients, and advanced formulations delivering precise, science-backed solutions, all while leaving nature unscathed. 
 
Here are three biotech innovations that are driving change in beauty: 

1. The Promise of Performance

Advances in dermatological science and advanced biomanufacturing are translating into better skincare and peak-performing biotech ingredients that are targeting consumers’ individual skin concerns and unmet needs. Biotechnology allows us to understand the workings of the skin at a molecular level, and how novel ingredients drive physical change. In an ever-crowded market, science-backed data is the crucial differentiator enabling brands to stand out and deliver upon emboldened brand promises. The dermatological category will benefit hugely from biotech’s innovation, soon to be followed by luxury skincare brands that combine elevated performance with a sensorial touch.

2. Novel Ingredient Discovery

We are moving beyond bio-identical ingredients to exciting new claims underpinned by emerging, science-backed ingredients that outperform the skincare stalwarts (think the likes of niacinamide), giving brands a valuable competitive edge. Biotechnology unlocks access to a new generation of ingredients that exist only in trace amounts in nature and that would otherwise be beyond reach—and, crucially, without plundering nature. Science allows us to understand how nature makes these ingredients so that we can mimic it in a safe and industrially scalable system. The upside: Advanced skincare based on novel, rare, higher-performing ingredients with a spotless sustainability profile. The downside: There is none (bar the need to communicate biotech processes in an easy and accessible manner to consumers). 

3. Biotech-Enabled Fragrance

Where skincare treads, the fragrance category will follow. This means that bio-identical ingredients in fragrance formulations will increasingly be replaced by novel, higher-performing biotech active ingredients that boast unique olfactory profiles and science-backed benefits (such as mood-boosting, concentration-enhancing and sleep-inducing). In addition, biotech’s controlled manufacturing conditions, which are closely aligned with pharma’s precise standards, will assure consistency in fragrance ingredient production. No more variability in batch quality or supply chain mishaps due to climate change. Fragrance will also become less reliant on fossil fuel-based ingredients, a big win in the face of consumers eager for natural ingredients minus the environmental footprint and the looming threat of international regulation.   

About the Author

Joshua Britton
Joshua Britton is the CEO and Founder of Debut, located in San Diego. Debut uses cutting-edge biotechnology to bring novel, higher-performing and sustainable ingredients to the cosmetic industry. Britton leads a team of 70 people executing an “aggressive commercialization strategy.” Prior to this role, he was trained as a scientist at UCI, Nottingham University, and MIT. He has raised over $70M to-date for Debut.