Dunedin-based Blis Technologies is venturing into cosmetic skincare.
Its latest commercial patented probiotic strain BLIS Q24 is the key active ingredient in a new brand Unconditional Skincare Co. A hydration serum would be launched initially and further products for the face were in development.
The company was also considering a range of further potential applications including body and personal care, it said in a note to the markets this week.
Blis had developed a "breakthrough formulation" that allowed BLIS Q24 to stay alive and have a shelf-life of up to two years. That was viewed as a "significant step forward" in the skincare industry.
There had been a steady increase in the number of cosmetic skincare brands claiming probiotic properties but most had been unable to produce a product that included a true probiotic — live bacteria — and those that had tended to have short shelf-life.
Probiotic skincare was predicted to be a key trend in 2021 as the skin microbiome became a consumer focus.
"Consumer interest in more natural and sustainable products to leading to a move away from big mass players and an openness to small, authentic and innovative brands," the company said.
The global premium skincare market was valued at $US140billion ($NZ200.6billion) in 2019. E-commerce was a big driver in the beauty and personal care category and was set to register a higher forecast compound annual growth rate than any other channel globally, at 11% over 2019-24.
