Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) has partnered with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to advance ‘green chemistry’ ingredient innovation in cosmetics, particularly in sun care.
The beauty giant is collaborating with MIT’s Langer Lab to develop biodegradable materials for cosmetic applications. It focuses largely on protecting skin from visible as well as blue light exposure.
Dr. Ana Jaklenec leads the research at MIT’s Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research. It is also being conducted alongside ELC’s R&D Advanced Technology Pioneering Team. Dr. Robert Langer, a renowned biotechnology and engineering scientist, will serve as an advisor.
ELC’s funding will allow Dr. Jaklenec to test a recently developed class of biodegradable materials for use in cosmetics. The primary objective is to create dispersible, stable, and formulation-compatible materials. Those that effectively block visible light, preventing pigmentation and potential photodamage.
From the Leadership Desk
Carl Haney, ELC’s Executive VP, Research, Product and Innovation Officer, emphasized the importance of such collaborations. Haney stated, “Fostering strategic collaborations with world-leading scientific and academic institutions has long been a critical approach to driving innovation at ELC and enables us to remain at the forefront of research.” He also expressed pride in working with exceptional scientists. He added, “Dr. Jaklenec’s research is demonstrating it is possible to develop a new class of materials that can offer various transformative applications.”
Dr. Jaklenec also highlighted the significance of bringing scientific advancements to real-world applications: “As scientists, we deeply value the opportunity to translate our work from the lab to the real world. With this new collaboration, we look forward to exploring the potential ways our research can lead to sustainable and innovative materials that drive impactful advancements in skin health.”
The partnership aligns with ELC’s commitment to green chemistry and sustainability. Meanwhile, Estée Lauder Companies is reportedly reviewing its brand portfolio following a recent management shake-up. Group President, International, Peter Jueptner, as well as Board Member Ronald S. Lauder have both announced their departures, prompting speculation about potential brand sell-offs.
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