Cosmetics group Lancôme is developing a new skincare line in collaboration with Swiss biotech company Timeline. It is designed to protect against visible signs of ageing by improving the skin's energy and resilience. According to the company, the active ingredient is said to visibly reduce the appearance of wrinkles after just two weeks. At the heart of the collaboration is the company's proprietary active ingredient Mitopure, a highly pure form of urolithin A, which is said to act on cellular energy processes and not just on superficial changes. The new product range is to be presented at the end of March at the American Academy of Dermatology's annual meeting in Denver, Colorado.

The skin as a biomarker

The skincare combines a new biotechnological approach with existing active ingredient complexes from the brand, it was said. Mitopure aims to activate what is known as mitophagy – a cellular renewal process in which damaged mitochondria are broken down and renewed. This is intended to support the energy supply to the skin cells and have a positive effect on visible skin ageing. The approach is based on the idea that the skin, as the body's largest organ, is a biomarker for ageing processes and reflects changes in cell energy, repair capacity and resilience that accompany ageing. The approach also follows the growing industry trend of positioning skincare more as a scientifically based longevity application and less as a cosmetic correction.

An investment by L'Oréal

According to the company, the technology is based on more than 15 years of research and investments of more than $50 million. "We first demonstrated the benefits for human muscles and the immune system, and we are delighted that these benefits also extend to skin longevity," said Chris Rinsch, co-founder and president of Timeline. The partnership stems from a collaboration between Lancôme's parent company L'Oréal and Timeline that began in 2024, when the group invested in the biotech company.

Source: Lancôme