L’Oréal Groupe has partnered with TruDiagnostic on research and development into longevity.
The pair will look at the relationship between beauty and epigenetics – the study of environmental factors on DNA – with the aim of creating products that promote long term skin and hair health.
TruDiagnostic specialises in epigenetic testing and research and offers direct-to-consumer biological age tests.
L’Oréal said the partnership was “a significant milestone” for the company which is aiming to become a leader in the burgeoning field of longevity in beauty.
“By combining our deep understanding of beauty biology with TruDiagnostic’s cutting-edge expertise in epigenomics, we are poised to lead the field of longevity biomarker discoveries that will bring new product offerings and valuable diagnostic insight to our consumers, to proactively care for their skin and hair health with the best longevity science solutions,” said Guive Balooch, Head of Open Innovation and Augmented Beauty at L’Oréal.
While genetics looks at characteristics that are inherited, epigenetics is an area of study of how environmental factors affect gene expression without altering DNA.
Epigenetic changes occur in ageing.
Longevity research aims to understand this in greater detail with the aim of slowing the biological pace of ageing.
“We are excited to collaborate with L’Oréal to explore the links between epigenetic markers and beauty,” said Matthew Dawson, CEO of TruDiagnostic.
“Epigenomics has the potential to revolutionise how we understand beauty at a biological level.
“Together, we aim to lead the charge in integrating epigenetic science into the beauty industry, creating innovative products that truly reflect the future of beauty and longevity.”
The French beauty company earlier this year unveiled Cell BioPrint, a device that gives users a breakdown of how their skin is ageing and which cosmetic ingredients they are more responsive to using advanced proteomics – the study of how protein composition in the human body affects skin ageing.
It measures different biomarkers – molecules beneath the skin packed with information about skin health – to decipher the skin’s biological age and predict potential cosmetic issues before they become visible.
Meanwhile Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) partnered with biotechnology company Serpin Pharma at the start of the year to explore longevity skin care innovations.
The two companies are investigating how this technology, which leverages the body’s innate immune response, can be harnessed to address skin irritation, ageing and sensitivity.