US startup Upwell Cosmetics has entered into an agreement with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) of Massachusetts and Western Washington University (WWU) to make and market a marine microalgae-derived wax for personal care products.
The novel ingredient has the ability to replace petroleum-based waxes and other waxes in products like lipstick and lip balm, sunscreen, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion and deodorant.
Notably, it creates new potential for the formulation of reef-safe sunscreen as studies also showed the algae wax boosted SPF and improved the quality of mineral sunscreen formulations on the skin.
Growing the algae terrestrially in bioreactors (pictured) takes only 10% of the land area of comparable crops, says Upwell.
Upwell Cosmetics was founded by Daniella Zakon and Alexandra Dowling Lari. Zakon holds degrees in Marine Biology and Environmental Science plus Business.
Zakon spent six years working abroad as an environmental entrepreneur in the international start-up space before moving back to the United States.
Dowling Lari's career spans the luxury beauty sector, with a pivot to sustainability in recent years, including roles at LVMH, Moda Operandi, and most recently Captain Blankenship.
"We believe this groundbreaking, microalgal wax has great potential to replace petroleum and animal-based wax in personal care products. The commercialization opportunity is overwhelming as brands race to reformulate using sustainable ingredients to meet consumer demand,” said Zakon.
“My biggest goal is that ten years from now everyone will know what this wax is and that petroleum wax won't be used for personal care products anymore,” she added.
Dowling Lari said: "We see this ingredient being used in everything from reef-safe sunscreen, hair care, salves, balms, skin care, deodorants, and beyond.”
