Figure: 1 Based on the June 4, 2019 Kao News Release: Kao’s original non-invasive analytical method for monitoring RNA – Discovery of the presence of human RNA in sebum

Kao Corporation and istyle Inc. will use the sebum RNA monitoring technology*1 developed by Kao and launch a joint initiative to develop a system that enables the efficient selection of cosmetics based on the skin RNA types.

From spring 2022, the initiative will start collecting the RNA in the sebum of members of the “@cosme” site operated by istyle, who have given their consent. The initiative will analyze the skin RNA type and the cosmetics selected then build a database based on the data of 10,000 people for efficient cosmetic selection. This will create encounters with cosmetics that match individual skin types, further enhance customer satisfaction, and at the same time help to reduce product waste due to an imbalance between supply and demand, which has been a challenge for the cosmetic industry.

Background
While cosmetics are mass-produced for a wide range of consumers, the technology for developing and manufacturing cosmetics for individuals has also been evolving. As a result, the market has been flooded with a wide variety of cosmetics and information about them. Under such circumstances, it may be difficult to find cosmetics that “fit you.”

@cosme, operated by istyle, is Japan’s largest comprehensive cosmetics and beauty website, and many people choose cosmetics by referring to the evaluations posted there. However, the evaluations of the same product may vary. One of the reasons may be due to the different body and skin characteristics of each individual.

With Kao’s sebum RNA monitoring technology, an oil blotting paper is used to collect sebum from the face then the RNA in the sebum is extracted and comprehensively analyzed. Using the data of thousands of types of RNA obtained from this process, Kao has been studying how to group skin types with similar RNA expression (skin RNA type).

Kao, together with istyle, are now collaborating to create new value by fusing the data and research knowledge of both companies and to contribute to the challenges faced by customers and the cosmetic industry.

Initiative Content Specifics
From spring 2022, members of @cosme who have given their consent will start to provide sebum RNA information in order to understand their preferred cosmetics, which differ depending on skin RNA type. Using the obtained RNA from the sebum, people can be grouped by their skin RNA type, and by combining that with the posted cosmetics evaluations, we can examine the relationship between preferred cosmetics and skin RNA type. Kao will assess up to 10,000 people and aims to build a database by the end of 2023.

Future Outlook
By using the objective indicator, skin RNA type, cosmetics can be selected efficiently, encounters with cosmetics that suit one’s skin will be created, customer satisfaction will be further enhanced. This will create encounters with cosmetics that match individual skin types, further enhance customer satisfaction, and at the same time is expected help to reduce product waste due to imbalance between supply and demand, which has been a challenge for the cosmetic industry.

In the future, both companies plan to utilize the database for the development of services and products that enable users to search for cosmetics from a more objective perspective.

Source:www.kao.com