Since its creation in 2014, BGene has been developing new processes for the production of aromatic molecules for the cosmetics industry, which is now in search of naturalness.

This innovative company has chosen to work with wood residues to produce biosourced ingredients and offer a real alternative to intensive cultivation and petrochemical products that are harmful to the planet and to humans.

BGene has received several awards and grants for its positioning and research in biotechnology, and has always placed environmental and societal impact at the heart of its thinking. Today, it is quite natural for the company to become a company with a mission to prepare for its increasingly virtuous transition to scale.

BGene 9 years of R&D for a virtuous cosmetic production

Since its creation, even before the Pact law came into force, BGene has put its environmental convictions at the heart of its R&D project. The biotech start-up is developing new methods for producing ingredients for flavor and fragrance manufacturers, offering an alternative to intensive agriculture, monoculture, the use of pesticides and the excesses of plant extraction.

" We want to offer cosmetic actors a new possibility of sourcing ingredients, namely molecules of natural origin produced in laboratories from renewable raw materials as an alternative to plant ingredients with a high environmental impact or those derived from petrochemicals."explains Marie-Gabrielle Jouan, CEO of BGene.

BGene specializes in synthetic biology and works with natural, renewable raw materials that are not in competition with food. While most scientific alternatives are currently based on refined sugar, BGene works with residues from wood processing, a position that is almost unique in France. This makes BGene part of a true circular economy, from plant residues to cosmetic ingredients.

" What synthetic biology allows is to teach micro-organisms how to make an ingredient from a natural raw material in order to produce it and supply the cosmetics industry all year round in sufficient quantities, while respecting the environment, insists Marie-Gabrielle Jouan, CEO of BGene

BGene has therefore developed an innovative technology for production by bacterial fermentation, Today, the big names in the cosmetics industry have noticed that product composition and naturalness have become powerful purchasing levers for their consumers.

BGene prepares to scale up and become a mission company

BGene is a biotechnology company that has set itself goals of excellence since its inception. To further its virtuous approach, BGene now publicly states its raison d'être: to serve the ecological transition by developing tomorrow's more sustainable and environmentally friendly production methods for bio-based molecules.

Composed of 28 complementary scientific profiles in bioinformatics, genetic engineering, bioprocess industrialization and innovative project management, this team has a pool of skills capable of designing high value-added aromatic molecules that meet the challenges of today's bioeconomy and energy transition.

BGene has therefore defined three main statutory objectives: to limit the impact of its activity on resources, to guarantee a more environmentally friendly process and to transmit and share BGene's scientific knowledge.

By becoming a company with a mission, BGene is committed to the transparency and traceability of its innovations to serve the ecological transition.

While BGene already works for the big names in cosmetics to offer its know-how in the form of R&D partnerships, the start-up wants to produce its first batches of ingredients this year. 

Within the next 3 years, BGene aims to increase its workforce once again in order to establish its transition to scale and aim for industrialization.

Confirming its know-how in the creation of soothing active ingredients, Seppic completes its offer for sensitive skin with an ingredient dedicated to holistic beauty: Sepibliss Feel.

At a time when feeling good has become as important as looking good, Seppic creates Sepibliss Feel, an active ingredient that works on the skin and well-being for a holistic beauty experience.

Sepibliss Feel is a patented natural oil extracted from coriander seeds sourced in France and produced by a specific process to guarantee good skin safety. Its high percentage of petroselinic acid, a fatty acid known for its soothing properties, makes it an ingredient with unique properties.

Seppic's research teams have tested its effectiveness in innovative in vitro models to demonstrate:

● An effect similar to that of acupuncture (reduction of an oxidative stress marker)

● A protection of the production of happiness molecules (β-endorphins and oxytocins).

● Soothing properties (Inhibition of key factors in the inflammation process and neuronal protection).

Tested in formulation on volunteers, Sepibliss Feel provides a nourishing, soothing and comforting effect that was not detected for the placebo. 63% of people also perceive a feeling of well-being when using the formula containing Sepibliss Feel against 35% for the placebo formula.

Sepibliss Feel is Cosmos and Natrue approved with a naturalness level of 100% according to ISO 16128. It also complies with Chinese regulations (IECSC and IECIC).

Caroline Baptiste, Group Asset Manager at Seppic, said, " Sepibliss Feel is an ingredientoriginal active ingredient that innovates in the objectification of holistic beauty. It is a natural oil that provides comfort to consumers by acting on both the skin and their well-being. This ingredient therefore comes from complement our In & Out approach with a grade available in nutrition and is in line with the vision of Seppic to help everyone live well and healthy in a healthy environment. " 

Created in 2012 by pharmacist Christian Sarbach and his teams, neomist is the first cosmetics brand to use the wpe (or "Water Plant Emulsion") process in all its products. This unique technology, patented worldwide, consists of a microemulsion of oil and water, allowing the formulation of cosmetics and perfumes with natural ingredients and very high concentrations of active ingredients.

In the spring of 2023, neomist will completely overhaul its range and move towards responsible and eco-conscious cosmetics, in line with its values and commitments, while retaining its DNA as an expert in plant-based care and the wpe technology at the heart of its formulas.

A new concept: conscious cosmetics

neomist conscious cosmetics is the alliance between technology and nature for care products that are both innovative and environmentally friendly.

The formulations combine active ingredients of natural origin with ancestral benefits and scientific rigor, supported by the research of a dedicated team of experts. Respectful of the skin and the planet, neomist formulas are established according to very precise specifications, with a chemical signature reduced to a minimum. Beyond the content of its products and the effectiveness of its care products, neomist has also initiated a 360° approach to reduce its environmental impact as much as possible.

A clean, minimalist and efficient skincare routine

The new neomist skincare line includes three revitalizing products: an eye care product, a face fluid and a face cream, designed for an overall anti-aging action.

Made in France (in Plessis-Robinson) and composed of 98% of natural ingredients, neomist products are free of phthalates, silicone, alcohol, allergens, endocrine disruptors, and substances that are harmful to the environment. The formulas have been designed to go to the essentials, without unnecessary active ingredients, in order to obtain the shortest possible Inci lists. All the products have a 100/100 rating on the Yuka application and are vegan.

Always with the desire to limit the superfluous, neomist products are made on demand, and therefore available to order only on its website, in order to avoid any unnecessary storage, but also to maximize the freshness and effectiveness of the active ingredients.

Strong ecological commitments for more responsible cosmetics

The brand began by calculating its carbon footprint using the Carbo application, in order to find ways to improve its environmental impact, from the design of its products to raising awareness of good practices among its employees.

The neomist bottles, made of purple glass, are made from natural, reusable and 100 % recyclable raw materials. No more secondary packaging, the products are now nestled in linen pouches made in France, manufactured in a work center, thus favoring social integration. neomist has also chosen to eliminate all notices in its products. The information can be found directly on the bottle (on FSC certified paper labels) or on the website.

In order to limit the waste linked to e-commerce, neomist has chosen to work with the start-up Hipli, which offers reusable packages up to 100 times. The brand pays part of the price of these packages, which are more expensive than traditional shipments, in order to encourage its customers to make the most ecological choice possible and support neomist in its environmental approach.

" I believe in a beauty routine reduced to the essential, which our unique formulation process allows us to do, to create multi-action products. With neomist conscious cosmetics, we are paving the way for simple, effective cosmetics that respect the planet and the skin. "Marc Bonnevay, co-founder of neomist and winner of the CEW France Achiever Award for Innovation 2023.