We absolutely loved this deep dive by Carla Seipp for BeautyMatter into the blurring lines between pharma and beauty and the growth of biotech innovation in the industry as a whole!
So what’s driving this shift? Sophie Bai , founder of B.A.I. Biosciences, Inc. explains: “Consumers want more drug-like solutions for their skin problems.” This demand is largely driven by Gen Z and Gen Alpha, who are seeking more science-based, effective products. It’s no longer just about the newest latest product—science is in the driving seat, pushing innovation, from biotech molecules to pharma-grade formulations.
However, this shift still isn’t crystal clear as there are many areas where they remain distinct. As Bai notes, “Pharma lacks the storytelling and sensory experiences beauty brands thrive on.” Pharma on the other hand, tends to be driven by intellectual property (IP) and patents, while beauty leans on branding and trends. There are also more regulatory barriers in pharma, where animal testing is often required, which conflicts with the cruelty-free standards the majority of beauty brands uphold.
👋 Welcome Biotech! It’s leading the charge, with brands like K18 Hair Mother Science , Pavise and Debut paving the way. Joshua Britton of Debut explains: “Biotech beauty aligns more with pharma purity standards than cosmetics.”
But what exactly is biotech? In beauty, it involves using biological innovations, like lab-created ingredients and bioengineered molecules to create more sustainable, and effective solutions that aren’t tested on animals. But Biotech is not cheap, requiring significant funding. Brands like Debut raised $34M, Timeline® secured $66M, and Mother Science raised $3.5M for research and product development which speaks volumes to the current appetite for research backed innovation in beauty.
Our takeaway - What’s clear is that science-backed innovation, driven by biotech, is here to stay and brands who are going to push boundaries with research and innovation are the future! 🚀
#beautynews #beautyindustry #biotech
Mastering Beauty: The Intersection of Reactive Chemistry and Cosmetic Science
6moCongratulations and much luck!