Regenerative medicine is quietly reshaping the global cosmetics market.
The Taiwan region of China took the lead in allowing human cells, tissues, or human-derived products’ exosomes to be used in cosmetics. Chinese emerging brands have published research papers on the anti-aging effects of plant exosomes… The heavyweight news this year showcases the trend of regenerative medicine in the cosmetics field.
Recently, CHAILEEDO learned that the well-known beauty chain CHLITINA, which has over 5000 stores globally, has launched a new health brand called Kangshuo. It is understood that Kangshuo relies on cutting-edge layouts in the field of regenerative medicine, introducing a variety of cosmetics represented by the Kangshuo skin secretion series, focusing comprehensively on the beauty market with water, microbiome, and regenerative medicine as its three main pillars.
As the latest move by CHLITINA in the beauty industry, Kangshuo, backed by a big tree, has made breakthroughs in regenerative medicine, concepts, positioning, and more. In this regard, CHAILEEDO brings an exclusive report, witnessing the new ambitions of this beauty industry giant.
CHLITINA takes the lead in laying out regenerative medicine, making a full effort in the anti-aging market.
At the end of last year, the globally renowned magazine “Allure” released an article on “The Biggest Skincare Trends of 2024” through big data analysis, in collaboration with 15 cosmetics experts and authoritative dermatologists. Among the six major trends, regenerative medicine and exosomes each held a position, demonstrating their broad application prospects.
In fact, although regenerative medicine is not a new concept and is often controversial, it is still seen as the future direction of beauty technology. The key lies in providing a fresher perspective and solutions compared to traditional cosmetics, especially in the enormous potential applications shown in the anti-aging field.
A paper titled “Regenerative Cosmetics: Skin Tissue Engineering for Anti-aging, Repair, and Hair Restoration” published by foreign institutions such as the University of Granada and Carlos III University suggests that regenerative cosmetics driven by skin tissue engineering offer a revolutionary alternative by combining three key components: cells, scaffolds, and signals. Exploring stem cell dynamics, signaling pathways, and microenvironmental cues provides possibilities for skin anti-aging interventions.
For example, the application of regenerative medicine technologies such as stem cells and exosomes has proven to promote skin anti-aging by stimulating cell proliferation and collagen production.
CHAILEEDO has observed that many domestic and international cosmetics-related companies like Amorepacific and Biogénie have already started laying out regenerative medicine and applying related research and development results to cosmetics development.
The Kangshuo brand is the result of CHLITINA’s many years of involvement in the field of regenerative medicine. It is reported that as early as 2019, CHLITINA foresaw the tremendous potential of regenerative medicine, taking the lead in planning by establishing the Tongji University Lifeng Regenerative Medicine Research Institute through collaboration with Tongji University, a leading Chinese center for stem cell research and regenerative medicine. Several research findings have already been published in international journals such as “Stem Cell Research & Therapy.”
In 2022, CHLITINA collaborated with the Yingyi International Medical Center in Boao Lecheng, Hainan. According to public reports, Boao Lecheng in Hainan Province is the only national-level medical special zone in China, with unique advantages in stem cell clinical applications, basic research, and translation.
Since last year, the Kangshuo brand has made significant investments in regenerative medicine, allocating millions to establish the versatile Kangshuo Regenerative Medicine Center in Linkou, Taiwan, as well as investing in a biotechnology company with patented technology for isolating and cultivating amniotic stem cells, jointly making efforts in the anti-aging market.
Noteworthy is that behind the push into regenerative medicine lies CHLITINA’s ambition for the anti-aging market, with Kangshuo unveiling its new trump card in the anti-aging cosmetics race.
As CHLITINA’s Chairman Chen Bihua has stated, “The first half of life is complete; the 27 years of youthful years have built the map of medical aesthetics, with 5,000 stores established to date. The second half will be the healthy industry of anti-aging, and it will require a new mindset for planning.”
CHLITINA is vigorously entering the large health market.
In fact, regenerative medicine is just one important aspect of CHLITINA’s efforts in the large health sector.
In 2023, as the pandemic subsided, Dr. Chen Wugang, the founder of CHLITINA, insightfully observed a significant shift in people’s health consciousness and global trends in the post-pandemic era. He keenly introduced the concept of “health and beauty,” centered around sustainable symbiosis, and proposed a holistic framework of “water, microecology, regenerative medicine.” He emphasized that human health and beauty are an internal-external holistic cycle, starting from water closely related to bodily health, exploring the balance of the human microbiome, and integrating cutting-edge biotechnology into regenerative medicine to ultimately achieve cellular health and youthfulness. Thus, the CHLITINA brand emerged.
Water, as the source of life, is a body regulator that helps maintain health, balance, and stability. Recognizing the importance of water for health, CHLITINA brought natural spring water from the Central Mountains of Taiwan to the mainland, introducing CHLITINA Babu Farm Water containing essential minerals and trace elements for the body.
CHLITINA’s focus on microecology skincare stems from its precise understanding of current skincare trends. Microecology skincare involves using or regulating the skin’s surface microbes to maintain or restore the skin’s natural balance, which has become a significant research direction in domestic skincare. According to Euromonitor International, the domestic microecology skincare market is projected to reach 10.54 billion RMB by 2025, with a market penetration rate of 1.5%.
In the field of regenerative medicine, CHLITINA is targeting the promising exosome technology and applying it to anti-aging cosmetics.
Exosomes are specialized transport vesicles secreted from cells after fusion of multivesicular bodies (MVBs) with the plasma membrane. With a diameter of 40-160 nanometers (average around 100 nanometers), they consist of a phospholipid bilayer similar to cells and can contain membrane proteins, cytoplasmic proteins, nuclear proteins, extracellular matrix proteins, DNA, RNA, and metabolites.
The 2013 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to three scientists for discovering the regulatory mechanisms of vesicular (exosome) transport systems within cells, bringing the term “exosome” into the public eye and making it a hot topic in global biomedical research. Recent studies suggest that stem cell-derived exosomes can participate in skin regeneration and repair through various mechanisms, indicating their significant potential in anti-aging. Many domestic and international beauty companies such as Amorepacific, Clarins, Kao Corporation, and P&G have also ventured into exosome research.
It is worth noting that exosomes can be derived from animals or plants, with plant-derived exosomes being more common. Animal-derived exosomes face more restrictions, leading to fewer companies working in this area. Additionally, most countries, including China, still prohibit the use of human-derived cells in cosmetics.
CHAILEEDO has introduced the CHAILEEDO Skin Secret Essence, utilizing exosomes derived from deer amniotic stem cells and adding the exclusive high-concentration embryo activation extract D-AFE. This ingredient contains various skin-repairing components such as EGF, vitamins, and amino acids, providing effective skin repair activity to strengthen the skin barrier.
Furthermore, the product includes 3% tranexamic acid, which, combined with chamomile extract, blocks melanin production pathways from the inside out, effectively inhibiting melanin deposition and sun damage. The highly effective plant extract Desert Rose Essence from Australia helps the product achieve 72 hours of long-lasting moisturization, stimulating tight junction proteins to immediately reduce water loss. The seven-fold natural soothing plant essence helps alleviate sensitivity, quickly soothe, and repair the skin.
This product is suitable for various skin types including dry, normal, oily, and combination skin, effectively combating skin aging. Third-party verification with 32 sensitive skin individuals has shown that the essence is gentle and non-irritating, making it suitable for sensitive skin.
In the field of microecology skincare, CHLITINA, a brand positioning itself in the large health category, has collaborated with the Prusen Lab from Taiwan and Boston University in the United States to develop the mild antibacterial peptide P113⁺, leading to the launch of the Soothing Cold P113⁺ series. This series includes oral care products and probiotic skincare products such as Soothing Cold Probiotic Cleansing Gel, Soothing Cold Probiotic Essence, Soothing Cold Probiotic Serum, and Soothing Cold Probiotic Cream, creating a diverse product lineup.
“Creating and researching premium products, promoting the concept of health and beauty, and building a quality life” – this is CHLITINA’s brand mission. The introduction of several highly competitive products will undoubtedly establish its presence in the beauty market.
Deep product genes, strong research and production support.
In fact, Kangshuo’s product strength is actually the continuation of CHLITINA’s product philosophy.
In an interview several years ago, CHLITINA CEO Zhao Chengyou publicly stated, “Beauty consumption must return to products. CHLITINA has always been not only a chain beauty institution but also a product company.”
For example, the “pH 5.5 mildly acidic skincare” concept used in the development of many international brands’ products is something that CHLITINA has been involved in since its inception. From the “pH 5.5 mildly acidic skincare” concept to microecological skincare and cutting-edge exosome technology, CHLITINA has always deeply understood consumer needs and combined the latest scientific research results to provide consumers with high-quality products. Kangshuo, as a brand, inherits its rich product development experience and strong research and production capabilities.
Currently, Kangshuo has established a solid foundation in scientific research and has deployed research resources in multiple locations worldwide. This includes the established Rhenus Baker Marine Pharmaceutical Microbial R&D Laboratory in Germany, the Baiyan Biochemical Research Center in Taiwan, the Hainan Yingyi International Medical Center, and several other research institutions, all of which provide strong research impetus.
At the same time, Kangshuo owns its own production factories with internationally leading technology, advanced and excellent production equipment, and modern production bases that meet GMP requirements, ensuring independent production and research and development.
Looking ahead, with its deep product development experience, solid research layout, and highly competitive products, Kangshuo’s entry into the beauty market is well-prepared and poised to become a shining new star in the domestic beauty market.
