White label probiotics for the skin: LAC2βiome CEO talks microbial skincare trends

04 Oct 2021 --- The two most critical trends within the emerging skin microbiome industry are increasing consumer awareness on the benefits of microbial solutions for skin health and further expanding research. This is according to Lasse Nagell, CEO for Italy-based LAC2βiome, who speaks to PersonalCareInsights on the technical and commercial opportunities and challenges in working with bacteria.

LAC2βiome is a company focused on microbial solutions for the global skincare market. 

“It is still early days and an emerging industry; however, as we continue to learn more about the role of the microbiota in various skincare areas, new product opportunities will arise,” Nagell notes.

“The industry must work together to ensure proper labeling and product claims to ensure that consumers understand the product’s benefits and ultimately build long-term consumer trust in the skincare market.”

White label probiotic blends
LAC2βiome has launched a probiotic skincare product dubbed InfiniteSkin Microbiome Serum.

It is a mix of probiotic strains and hyaluronic acids, backed by in-vitro and in-vivo data, according to the company.

“We have built significant knowledge in probiotics over the past few decades,” explains Nagell.Consumers are showing increased interest in the microbial skincare space.

“We have a strategy to develop long-term partnerships with brand owners. Our current focus is to launch our white label probiotic skincare solution with professional skincare brands.”

Good bacteria for the skin
Consumers are building interest and knowledge in the microbial skincare space. There are increased expectations that a solution marketed as a probiotic skincare product must deliver good live bacteria to the skin, Nagell explains.

“This increased interest is based on their overall belief that microbial balance inside and on the body remains important to overall health.”

LAC2βiome is also in the process of launching a clinically studied female health probiotic product, expected to enter the market in early 2022, Nagel reveals.

“We are also building our probiotic skincare portfolio as we look to better understand the role of bacteria and associated skin benefits by using our competence to introduce live bacteria to the skin.”

Solutions for global partners
The InfiniteSkin Microbiome Serum has been launched with a partner in the Nordic region under a new microbiome-focused skincare brand, called Rebiome.

The brand is distributed in the professional channel, with significant emphasis on microbial and product education, adds Nagell.

“We are in dialog with other professional skincare brands and expect that more consumers in new markets and territories will get to experience the benefits of this product in 2022,” he adds.LAC2βiome formulated the InfiniteSkin Microbiome Serum with probiotics and hyaluronic acids.

“This clinically studied probiotic skincare product is shown to be beneficial on problematic skin. It also adds hydration to the skin, which is attributed to the high concentrations of good live bacteria being applied.”

Overcoming challenges
New microbes, science, technologies and ultimately improved consumer benefits emerge within the skin microbiome space, comments Nagell.

“Commercialization of probiotic skincare products has always been a significant challenge due to bacteria shelf stability and as a result R&D focus was not always on probiotics.”

“Now that there are commercial solutions around this, we also expect more research to occur within probiotic skincare and the benefits associated with it.”

“The microbiome is now part of many industries’ focus and will continue to be as there is so much still to learn. We are excited about what new and relevant science-based products we can bring to the market in skincare and other markets,” Nagell concludes.

Skin microbiome NPD
Industry players have shown interest in the skin microbiome and they have formulated products to tackle skin issues. Last month, Givaudan Active Beauty released a microbiome-activated skin perfector to tackle skin issues caused by face mask wear.

Last week, Norwex launched a prebiotic deodorant to target the underarm microbiome.

Meanwhile, Demarla unveiled OAT So Sweet, a prebiotic and postbiotic blend formulated for the blemish-prone skin. The company also received a US patent for solutions that utilize the skin and the gut microbiome to slow down the skin aging process.

By Nicole Kerr, with additional reporting by Kristiana Lalou