SEQUENTIAL

🚀 We're excited to share that Sequential will be at SCS Formulate this year. Keep an eye on our page to see which team members will be attending and where you can find us!

We were honoured to be invited to the first Science Exchange session for Lallemand's MGard B-Glucan, where we heard from global researchers on new findings on the ingredient's efficacy across allergy, weight management, mental health, and immunity. Our colleague Carla Brown, PhD was excited to present ideas and opportunities for M-Gard and G-lucans for skin, specifically atopic dermatitis. Some exciting opportunities for collaboration ahead! 🚀 Lallemand Bio-Ingredients

Ectoin presents an opportunity to move it beyond "gentle hydration" into barrier performance science with measurable endpoints. Ectoin is a naturally occurring small molecule produced by bacteria that survive extreme conditions: heat, dryness, and high salt. In skincare, it does something similar: it wraps a layer of organised water around skin cells and proteins, helping them stay stable under stress. Here's what we know so far about the science behind ectoin and its industry impact and potential 👇

While short-term benefits of oral probiotics are well supported, long-term colonisation and sustained effects remain a key focus. Studies show that microbiome changes can reverse once probiotic intake stops, highlighting the need for well-designed longitudinal studies to assess durability and safety over time. Here’s what we know 👇

What does £1,000 of cosmetic testing actually prove? Whether a formulation remains stable and whether it causes irritation under controlled conditions. These rarely demonstrate complex outcomes. Most brands don't discover the difference until a flagship claim gets challenged, and by then, the £10,000 they saved has become a six-figure problem. In our latest article, we cover what price range buys regulator-defensible evidence, where brands can legitimately save without weakening the claim: https://lnkd.in/eZAqP2wy

Skin tone and dark spot formation are shaped by complex biological pathways. Traditional approaches tend to focus on single pathways or individual ingredients, but genetics, environment, metabolism and microbial activity all intersect and have an impact. Multi-omics offers a more complete way to understand pigmentation by looking at multiple biological layers at once. This includes genes, proteins, metabolites, lipids and the skin microbiome. Bringing these insights together, this multi-omic view is shifting the field away from ingredient-led claims toward system-level insight into why pigmentation behaves differently across individuals and skin tones. We use multi-omic analysis to move pigmentation research beyond single actives and surface outcomes. By integrating molecular, metabolomic and microbiome data with in vivo testing, we map how pigmentation pathways respond over time and in real-world conditions. Backed by a database of more than 50,000 samples, this approach allows brands to develop evidence-led, inclusive pigmentation solutions grounded in biology rather than broad brightening claims.

The skin's natural oils are essential for hydration and maintaining the barrier function. The reason skin can appear healthier without the use of certain skincare products can potentially stem from various factors, such as over-cleansing. Some products may contain ingredients that irritate the skin. However, well-formulated skincare routines that incorporate gentle cleansers, moisturisers, and sun protection can enhance the skin's resilience and prevent long-term damage from environmental stressors. Ultimately, the key to healthy skin lies in understanding individual skin needs and using products that support the skin's balance.

"Not every product works the same way in different people." Our global reach allows us to customise recruitment to the specific skin types or conditions your study requires. Albert Dashi, PhD, explains more in our video: https://lnkd.in/eG_hj54q

Recent research has found that an extract of cilantro/coriander (Coriandrum sativum, the fruit of the cilantro plant) shows a dual effect on ageing skin cells. Ageing skin accumulates senescent cells, and selectively clearing them has been challenging because most approaches that kill senescent cells also damage healthy cells. This study conducted by Shiseido found that this extract clears ageing cells and boosts healthy ones, increasing collagen production. This regenerative approach could effectively delay skin ageing and restore its function. We look forward to the innovative formulations that will be developed using this active.