Scientists develop skin care products from rubber latex extract

The launch is the result of collaboration between the Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences (TCELS) and leading universities, with TCELS’ CEO Dr Nares Damrongchai claiming it will meet consumer needs and increase the country's competitiveness in the global market.

"We are certain that the products that we have developed will receive good response from the users and have a large market share,"​ Dr Nares says, with the products planned for launch next year.

Product research​

The products developed come in the form of facial wash gel, skin care serum, whitening cream and hair care products, and are based on the research studies conducted by Prince of Songkhla University and Naresuan University.

Professor Rapeepun Wititsuwannakul of Prince of Songkhla University and her team conducted studies on biotechnological development from rubber latex extracts that have been used for manufacturing products in different formulas.

These products received positive response from users when a company conducted a pre-launch marketing campaign.

Over at Naresuan University, Associate professor Dr Neti Woranuch, who has expertise in cosmetics and natural skin care products, led the application of these research findings into various skin care products, and conducted clinical research studies in order to test products' efficiency, using international standard procedures.

Roll-out​

Dr Nares says that these natural skin care products with rubber latex extract are unlike other products in the same category, thanks to the country's capability of producing a large volume of natural rubber latex each year.

"These products are unique, so we think that they will receive a good response from the users,"​ he said. TCELS is in the process of assessing the economic value of products with rubber latex extract, he adds.

He states that at the initial stage there will be a few products in the market. However, TCELS plans to transfer the innovation and technology to companies that are capable of growing interest in these products.