Microbiome momentum: Cosmax plans to release new range of anti-ageing skin care this year

The South Korean ODM firm claims that the Dermabiotics range is world’s first microbiome skin care range that has anti-ageing benefits.

Strain CX

According to the company, its laboratories have been researching the skin microbiome since 2011 and its relation to skin ageing.

CEO of Cosmax, Lee Kyung-su said the microbiome would play a large role in the anti-ageing category in the future.

“Mircobiome cosmetics has been closely linked to human skin physiology and ageing. The global cosmetics companies are also interested in that area,”​ said Lee.

Park Myung-su, director of research at the Cosmax R&I Center added: “Microbiome is attracting attention as a next-generation skincare cosmetics category. It is expected to lead to new changes in innovative biomaterials.”​

The research led to the discovery of Strain CX, which was found to decrease with ageing.

“Strain CX has been confirmed to be present the skin of younger women. [Cosmax] is the world's first to discover that it gradually disappears with age and has a direct impact on skin ageing,” ​said the company in statement.

Cosmax elaborated that it uses an entirely new mechanism of cell senescence that is different from that of existing anti-ageing cosmetics and helps to activate the beneficial bacteria in human skin.

Now trending

The microbiome skin care category continues to be one of the hottest topics in personal care right now and Cosmax plans to be among the microbiome leaders in Korea’s cosmetics industry.

“With continued investment into R&D, we will be leading the technology and trends that can represent Korea beauty,”​ said, CEO of Cosmax, Lee Kyung-su.

Additionally, Cosmax said it plans to collaborate with other global pharmaceutical companies to continue researching the link between the microbiome and skin ageing.

It added that it sees the potential for microbiome beyond skin care and believes it will be able to help treat severe skin diseases.

Going strong

In 2018, Cosmax grew 42.5% to record ₩1.25tn ($1.07bn) while operating profit rose 48.9% to reach ₩52.3bn ($44.9m).

The company attributed its success to sales in China, which reached ₩477.6bn ($410.9m). To further capitalise on opportunities in China, Cosmax plans to continue strengthening its base there.

Lee believes the company will continue to grow due to the increasing demand for cosmetics products in domestically as well as abroad, thanks to the Korean wave.

Additionally, the company has new products under development which will respond to the new trends in the market.

"Based on this growth engine, we expect the Group's sales to grow more than 25% this year. We will strengthen our position as the world's number one cosmetics ODM company,” ​Lee concluded.