“Japan’s wealthiest man” Tadashi Yanai strikes US$80M skincare deal with Tropicslab
11 Aug 2022 --- Tadashi Yanai, a Japanese billionaire and owner of Fast Retailing, parent company of Uniqlo, has committed US$80 million in a skincare deal with Tropicslab, a privately-owned beauty company by Dr. Edith F. Gibson.
“Tropicslab has dedicated numerous years in finding tropical skin solutions and also educating the public on the health effects of bleaching products,” Gibson, CEO at Tropicslab, tells PersonalCareInsights.
“This investment will further this agenda by instituting more laboratories for scientific research, integration of other scientists for further insight on the subject, promoting more education on the need for specific skincare and introducing solid celebrity brands tailored specifically for black skin.”
“This research will promote our agenda to eradicate skin bleaching by providing the suitable alternative and introduce solid non-bleaching celebrity brands with proven results for skincare issues,” she continues.
Gibson is a scientist who has spent the last seven years researching skincare formulas for people of color. Tropicslab has been taking “huge strides” to spread its business across Africa and North America within the skincare arena.
Forbes has recognized Yanai as Japan’s number one richest man in 2022.
Tackling skin bleaching
Gibson explains that skin bleaching has become predominant in products consumed in the markets. 
Dr. Edith F. Gibson CEO at Tropicslab.
“Our 2017 research proved that 80% of users needed to address hyperpigmentation and only 20% use bleaching products by choice. The extrinsic factors primarily responsible for photo damages, uneven skin tones and inflammation are responsible for the massive need and consumption of these products,” she explains
“The opportunity to provide an adequate solution to address these extrinsic factors with continued research and development of new tropical skincare formulas will curb the need for these toxic carcinogenic products.”
Clinical research and celeb brands
Cedric Yengo, CEO at NW Tech Capital, arranged the pitch between Yanai and Gibson concerning providing exclusive skincare to the retailer.
Reportedly, Yanai struck the deal to find solutions to skin cancer and wants to provide clinically approved skincare products. He believes that with research, there will be improvements in achieving health.
This month, an internal analysis revealed that tiny quantities of the cancer-causing chemical benzene were found in various batches of the Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Sunscreen Spray SPF 30, and the company voluntarily recalled its stock.
The deal will be effective by the end of this month, covering clinical research and manufacturing and distributing products for celebrity skincare brands.
Hence, Tropicslab will release multiple celebrity skincare, considering various country climatic conditions, local ingredients, FDA regulations per country, shipping and custom duties, purchasing power and supply chain differences and joint research with local research skincare teams.
Investment deals in beauty
Last month, beauty tech company Mayvenn implemented a US$40 million series C funding round to launch its next major ecosystem expansion and introduce tech-enabled, physical beauty experiences to Walmart stores all over the US.
Meanwhile, In June, in partnership with Geno, Unilever invested in its “largest” collaboration in biotechnology alternatives for unsustainable ingredients with a sum of US$120 million. They aimed to commercialize and scale plant-based options for materials like palm oil and fossil fuels for ingredients used in cleaning and personal care products.
Ever/Body raised US$55.5 million in series C funding, bringing the company’s capital to over US$100 million since its 2019 launch. The funding was to be used for expansion in the US and advancing technology and education programs for providers.
By Venya Patel
