Lab-Grown & Bioengineered Ingredients
With sustainability becoming a non negotiable quality in the industry, lab-grown and bioengineered ingredients are replacing traditional plant and animal derived ingredients. These ingredients offer a more eco-friendly alternative while maintaining (or even exceeding) the efficacy of their natural counterparts.
💡 Brands Leading This Innovation:
- Biossance (www.biossance.com) – Biossance pioneered the use of sugarcane-derived squalane, an alternative to shark liver oil. This lab-engineered version is molecularly identical but 100% plant-based, offering intense hydration without environmental harm.
- Geltor (www.geltor.com) – This biotech company has revolutionized skincare by creating vegan collagen in the lab. Traditional collagen is animal-derived, but Geltor’s version provides the same anti-aging benefits without the ethical concerns.
- Evolved By Nature (www.evolvedbynature.com) – This company has developed activated silk protein, a bioengineered ingredient that strengthens the skin barrier and deeply hydrates without synthetic additives.
Why This Matters:
- Eliminates sustainability concerns around animal and plant based ingredient sourcing.
- Ensures consistency and potency: lab-grown ingredients are often more stable than natural ones.
- Meets consumer demand for ethical beauty products.
Postbiotic & Microbiome-Friendly Ingredients
As consumers become more aware of the skin’s natural microbiome, brands are shifting from harsh, stripping ingredients to prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics that support a healthy skin barrier, therefore giving better results to the skin by respecting the skin's natural microbiome and barrier.
💡 Brands Pioneering Microbiome Skincare:
- Mother Dirt (www.motherdirt.com) – One of the first brands to embrace probiotic skincare, Mother Dirt’s AO+ Mist contains live ammonia-oxidizing bacteria to balance the skin’s ecosystem.
- Gallinée (www.gallinee.com) – Specializes in prebiotics and postbiotics that nourish beneficial bacteria, helping sensitive and acne-prone skin thrive.
- Tula Skincare (www.tula.com) – Tula’s cult-favorite Glow & Get It Eye Balm uses probiotics and caffeine to brighten under-eye circles while supporting skin microbiome health.
Why This Matters:
- Reduces inflammation and supports sensitive, acne-prone, and rosacea-affected skin.
- Enhances skin’s natural barrier, reducing irritation and dryness.
- Meets the growing demand for gentle, science-backed formulations.
Neurocosmetics: Ingredients That Influence Mood & Stress Response
The link between mental health and skincare is becoming more evident, leading to the rise of neurocosmetics—ingredients that interact with the nervous system to reduce stress, improve mood, and calm the skin.
💡 Brands Using Neurocosmetic Ingredients:
- Youth to the People (www.youthtothepeople.com) – Uses adaptogens like ashwagandha and reishi mushroom to help combat stress-related skin issues like breakouts and dullness.
- L’Occitane (www.loccitane.com) – Incorporates aromatherapeutic essential oils like lavender and immortelle to promote relaxation and reduce cortisol levels in the skin.
- Biossance – Uses squalane and calming actives like bakuchiol to counteract oxidative stress caused by daily life and environmental aggressors.
Why This Matters:
- Addresses stress-related skin concerns such as acne, redness, and dullness.
- Appeals to wellness-conscious consumers looking for self-care beyond skincare.
- Aligns with the growing intersection of beauty and mental well-being.
Blue Light & Pollution Protection Actives
As digital screen time increases, consumers are searching for ingredients that shield the skin from blue light damage and common pollution.
💡 Brands Tackling Environmental Skin Stressors:
- Murad (www.murad.com) – Formulates with lutein and vitamin C, proven to neutralize blue light-induced oxidative stress.
- Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare (www.drdennisgross.com) – Uses ferulic acid and niacinamide to strengthen the skin’s defense against environmental pollutants.
- BareMinerals (www.bareminerals.com) – Infuses mineral SPF with marine algae and antioxidants to protect against both UV and blue light exposure.
Why This Matters:
- Prevents premature aging - that can be caused by excessive screen use.
- Protects against urban pollution, reducing the risk of inflammation and hyperpigmentation.
- Addresses a modern skincare concern with innovative, science-backed solutions.
Upcycled & Waste-Reducing Ingredients
In response to growing environmental concerns, brands are finding ways to repurpose food waste and plant byproducts into high-performance skincare ingredients.
💡 Brands Making Beauty More Sustainable:
- UpCircle Beauty (www.upcirclebeauty.com) – Utilizes repurposed coffee grounds, fruit seeds, and olive stones for exfoliating and hydrating skincare.
- BYBI Beauty (www.bybi.com) – Sources ingredients from the juice industry, turning discarded fruit extracts into powerful antioxidants for the skin.
- Farmacy Beauty (www.farmacybeauty.com) – Works with regenerative farming to ensure their ingredients leave a positive impact on the environment.
Why This Matters:
- Reduces beauty industry waste by upcycling food and plant byproducts.
- Provides high-performance ingredients with a smaller environmental footprint.
- Aligns with conscious consumer expectations for sustainable beauty.
Final Thoughts: The Future of Beauty Ingredients in 2025
As the personal care and cosmetics industry continues to evolve, these science-backed, sustainable, and skin-first ingredients will be at the forefront of beauty innovation.
At RNA Corporation, we specialize in manufacturing cutting-edge beauty products that integrate these next-gen ingredients. Looking to develop a future-forward beauty brand? Contact us today to explore the possibilities of innovation in your cosmetics.
Photo by Kier in Sight Archives on Unsplash
