Key Takeaways
- Kelp CoLab is an initiative by GreenWave to develop kelp-based ingredients for beauty brands.
- The program offers R&D support for formulation, testing, and commercialization, focusing on sustainability.
- Applications for participating brands are open from Sept. 8 to Oct. 6, with a cohort announcement in November.
Innovating with Kelp in Beauty Care
GreenWave, a nonprofit focused on regenerative ocean farming, has launched Kelp CoLab, an initiative aimed at transforming how beauty brands utilize climate-resilient ingredients. This program invites up to ten beauty and wellness companies to collaborate on developing kelp-based actives that align with market demands.
Kelp CoLab participants will have the opportunity to work directly with formulation scientists and ingredient suppliers like Macro Oceans. The main goal is to create functional kelp ingredients tailored for skincare and haircare products. The program provides fully funded R&D support, covering ingredient development, testing, and formulation work, allowing brands to shape the research based on their specific product goals and performance claims.
Kelp, a nutrient-rich type of brown macroalgae, offers numerous benefits thanks to its bioactive compounds, including antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. The initiative aims to harness these attributes to replace carbon-intensive or synthetic ingredients commonly used in popular beauty products such as serums, moisturizers, and scalp care treatments.
Grace Collery, senior market development program manager at GreenWave, highlights that many brands are enthusiastic about kelp but often lack the knowledge to effectively incorporate it into their products. Kelp CoLab addresses this gap by facilitating a hands-on role for brands in shaping ingredient innovation.
The program promotes not only product innovation but also collaboration among participants, emphasizing storytelling and supply chain transparency. All kelp used in the program will be sourced from GreenWave’s established network of regenerative ocean farms in North America, ensuring full traceability—a vital aspect in today’s values-driven beauty market.
Sam Garwin, GreenWave’s director of market development, explains that Kelp CoLab targets emerging and mid-stage beauty brands that possess direct-to-consumer channels and a capacity for rapid market entry. “We’re looking for disruptor brands that are values-aligned and can advance quickly,” says Collery.
Interested brands can apply for Kelp CoLab from September 8 to October 6, with selected participants being announced in November. The initiative is also open to cosmetic chemists and formulation consultants to enhance the collaborative effort.
Aligning the beauty industry’s innovation with climate-resilient practices, Kelp CoLab represents a significant step toward sustainable ingredient sourcing. By utilizing kelp, beauty brands can lead not only through compelling narratives but also in implementing scalable climate solutions, ultimately fostering a future of resilient, regenerative beauty.
For more information on applying to Kelp CoLab, visit their official application page.
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