We’ve used skincare in its various forms for thousands of years–it’s part of the storied history and culture of our world. 

The Ancient Egyptians used castor and moringa oil to moisturize their skin, the Greeks bathed in public baths infused with aromatic oils, and in Ancient China, ingredients like rice water and green tea were staples in beauty rituals, along with techniques like gua sha. In Regency-era England, rosewater and milk were all the rage. Surprisingly, though we’ve had our fair share of historical skincare fumbles, many of the natural ingredients and practices used long ago are still popular today.

However, while ancient skincare relied entirely on nature, today’s world presents new challenges. A globalized economy, complex supply chains, shifting trend cycles, and multi-million dollar marketing budgets have made certain ingredients so popular it’s difficult to sustainably and ethically source them from the natural world. 

The beauty industry has evolved. We aren’t doing it like the ancients anymore, and instead of homemade skin remedies we’re living in an age where scientific studies and cosmetic chemistry help us create safer, more effective, and more pure skincare products.

The Rise of Biotechnology in Skincare

The next step in blending nature with science is biotechnology. At Graydon, we prioritize sustainably sourced plant-based ingredients, but we’re also excited about the potential of biotechnology to bridge sustainability gaps. When ethical concerns make certain plant-derived ingredients (like palm oil) problematic, biotech offers a responsible alternative.

What is Biotechnology?

The word ‘biotechnology’ itself is a fusion of ‘biology’ and ‘technology.’ 

Biotechnology involves using living cells, microorganisms (like yeast or probiotics), or fungi in a lab to develop products. It harnesses the power of nature without disrupting it, through processes like fermentation–like how you’d make beer or yogurt.

Biotechnology harnesses the power of nature without disrupting it.

While biotech innovations have transformed multiple industries—including medicine (vaccines and advanced disease treatments) and agriculture (more sustainable crops)—its influence on beauty has grown significantly in recent years.

Biotech ingredients provide effective, stable, and eco-friendly solutions, often working in harmony with the skin’s microbiome. Unlike some synthetic ingredients that can trigger irritation, biotech-derived alternatives offer gentle yet potent results.

At Graydon Skincare, we see biotechnology as a bridge between the best of nature and science.

How is Biotechnology Used in Skincare?

Since biotechnology is used in so many different ways, it only makes sense that we’d find a way to use it in the development of skincare and beauty products. 

In fact, some of the most common skincare ingredients today are already made through biotech processes, often using fermentation or microorganisms.

Here’s a few examples:

• Hyaluronic Acid: Originally derived from animals, hyaluronic acid can also be made through bio-fermentation using lactic acid bacteria¹. The biotech version is actually now much more widely used in skincare, as it is low-cost, more sustainable, and cruelty-free. While we love the biotech behind hyaluronic acid, we use a natural alternative, senna seeds.
• Kojic Acid: Naturally occurring in certain fungi, kojic acid is produced by bacteria involved in rice fermentation². It's a well-known brightening ingredient used to reduce hyperpigmentation, and also offers exfoliation.
• Squalene/Squalane: Squalene was traditionally harvested from shark liver, but today, biotechnology allows it to be produced using yeast³. Squalane is also a great squalene alternative, and can come from plant-based sources like olives. Both biotech squalene and plant-based squalane are great ethical and sustainable alternatives. (We use both in our products!)
• Probiotics: Since probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts, their incorporation into skincare is a prime example of biotechnology at work⁴. They help support the skin’s microbiome and improve barrier function. We use probiotics in Berry Rich.

Lab-Derived vs. Biotechnology vs. Plant-Based: What’s Best?

In the world of beauty, the answer isn’t definitive. The truth is, each type of ingredient serves a purpose, and the best formulations often use a combination of all three.

Lab-Derived Ingredients

Many hear synthetic or lab-derived ingredients and think they are negative or bad in comparison to natural ingredients. However, lab-derived ingredients are a safe, effective, and normal part of skincare formulation, even for brands like ours who pride ourselves on using plant ingredients. 

They’re a foundational part of the majority of skincare formulas, and are also great for when natural alternatives are either derived from animals or derived from a plant that has been overharvested or is not sustainably harvested. 

For example, lab-created ceramides have replaced traditional sources, making the ingredient more ethical and environmentally friendly⁵. Blanket statements that all lab-derived ingredients are “bad” just aren’t true. Not every ingredient will work for your skin, but many lab-derived ingredients are effective, vegan, and eco-friendly.

Plant-Based Ingredients

Many superfood ingredients are multi-benefit and address a variety of skin concerns. This is what sets plant-based ingredients at an advantage over synthetic/lab-derived ones. 

Many synthetic ingredients are created to serve a single purpose or provide a single benefit. Whereas plant-based ingredients contain a combination of components in their makeup–from vitamins providing free radical protection, to fatty acids moisturizing the skin, to anti-inflammatory properties.

Think of it like needing your daily dose of vitamin C. You could take a supplement and reach your daily intake–a perfectly healthy, smart decision. Or you could eat an orange and get the same amount of vitamin C… plus all the other good stuff in an orange like fibre, vitamin A, potassium, and more.

Plant-based ingredients are also, when sourced responsibly, more eco-friendly. The production process of most synthetic ingredients being created in factories involve fossil fuels and high levels of energy consumptions. These processes can also produce toxic emissions and hazardous waste.

Of course there are outliers, like palm oil as I mentioned above, but by-and-large choosing natural ingredients that come from the earth is more sustainable and better for the environment!

Biotechnology Ingredients

Biotech ingredients offer the best of both worlds: the consistent potency of lab-derived compounds with the natural origins and multifunctionality of plant-based ingredients.

Biotechnology offers the consistent potency of lab-derived ingredients and the multifunctional benefits of plant-based ingredients.

One key advantage is consistency. Unlike plant extracts, which can vary in potency, biotech ingredients maintain uniform effectiveness, stability, and purity. Just like plant-based ingredients, biotech ingredients have the advantage of being less sensitizing and irritating. Though of course this is on an ingredient-by-ingredient basis.

Which is best?

Though there’s plenty of argument to be had about what type of ingredient is best, we think they should work in tandem to create products that are effective, gentle, and sustainable. 

We’re biased and will say we love our plant-based ingredients best, but we’re able to make these ingredients the stars of our formulas because there are lab-derived ingredients working hard in the background. They help ensure the stability of our formulas so that the superfood ingredients at the heart of all our products can shine.

By leveraging biotechnology, we’re able to elevate plant-based performance for better efficacy. It’s exciting to view biotechnology as the next advancement in beauty and an extension of everything we love about both natural and lab-derived ingredients. We’re working towards a future where skincare products are not only effective and safe but also higher-performing and even more environmentally responsible.

As we continue to keep astride the latest developments in beauty and cosmetic chemistry, we’re excited to introduce more biotechnology ingredients into our products.

The Latest in Biotech: Fungi Innovation

One of the most exciting developments in beauty biotechnology is the increasing use of fungi. Unlike plants and animals, fungi belong to a distinct biological kingdom, making them a unique and largely untapped resource for skincare.

Fungi-based skincare is gaining traction for several reasons:

• Sustainability: Fungi grow rapidly and require fewer resources compared to traditional plant or animal-based ingredients.
• Efficacy: Many fungal compounds have smaller molecular structures, allowing for better absorption and efficacy in skincare.
• Antioxidant & Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Mushrooms like shiitake, reishi, and chaga, and have been used in Eastern medicine for centuries. Now, biotechnology is harnessing their benefits.
• Trendiness: It also doesn’t hurt things that mushrooms are trending. Not only are they popping up in fashion and style trends like “cottagecore”, but they’re also selling features in cosmetics, skincare, and health food.

We personally love seeing the rising popularity of fungi in skincare. It’s sustainable, eco-friendly, cruelty-free, and vegan–a winning combination! 

In biotech, mushrooms are often used as a way to produce chemicals, pharmaceuticals and enzymes. They’re even called “cell factories” in this article⁶.

Some Insight into Graydon Skincare’s Ingredients

If you’ve browsed around on our site, you’ll see that we’re dedicated to using plant-based ingredients and formulating our products to be gentle and suitable for sensitive skin. That’s why we strive to be upfront about where our ingredients come from.

For example, we use two bio-retinol ingredients, bakuchi and dew bean, because they’re gentler, natural alternatives to traditional retinol, which sensitizes your skin. We also use two different kinds of vitamin C–one from moringa, the other a lab-made gentle alternative to l-ascorbic acid (the most common form of vit c) called tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate or THD.

We’re also proud that many of our plant-based ingredients are upcycled, which means they’re rescued waste. For example, our raspberry and blueberry seed oils come from seeds that would often be discarded as the berries are processed for food products!

We select ingredients based on our values of sustainability, superfood innovation, and formulation for sensitive skin.

When it comes to choosing ingredients, whether that be plant-based, lab-derived, or biotech, we decide using our values of sustainability, commitment to superfood innovation, and uncompromising promise to create products clinically proven for sensitive skin.

How does biotechnology fit into that? We can’t wait to share a groundbreaking biotech ingredient we’re including in our next product launch. Here’s a hint: the photo at the top of this article shows the ingredient being made!

Stay tuned…