At last week’s inaugural BBIA BioFinance Summit in London, THG LABS joined Clean Food Group and Croda on stage to announce a major milestone for sustainable beauty: Clean Oil™ 25 has achieved cosmetics regulatory approval across the UK, Europe, and the United States.

The Summit, attended by government ministers, scientists, biotech champions and investors, provided the perfect platform to highlight the role that collaboration plays in reshaping the future of beauty.

Speaking on the panel Kristal Goodman, Head of Product Innovation at THG LABS, shared how as a product developer and beauty manufacturer, we have supported Clean Oil™ 25’s journey from biotech discovery through to regulatory approval, ensuring it is:

• ✔ Formulation-ready for high-performance beauty
• ✔ Scalable and stable for brand adoption

What is Clean Oil™ 25?

Clean Oil™ 25 is a next-generation, fermentation-derived oil that offers a more sustainable alternative to traditional plant oils and fats. With a sensory profile similar to olive and jojoba oils, it delivers a rich, cushiony texture without feeling oily or greasy on the skin.

Compared with coconut or sweet almond oils, Clean Oil™ 25 is slightly richer and more substantive, making it an attractive option for a wide range of skincare, bodycare, and haircare formulations, offering brands both functional performance and sustainability benefits for their products.

Why this matters for beauty brands

By incorporating Clean Oil™ 25 into the personal care products developed and manufactured at THG LABS, brands can benefit from:

• 🌱 More sustainable formulations aligned with consumer demand
• 🔒 Greater supply chain security, reducing reliance on vulnerable natural harvests
• 💡 High-performing products with proven efficacy and great sensory qualities

Innovation with Purpose

Collaborations like this reflect THG LABS’ commitment to what we call “Innovation with Purpose”. Rather than waiting for sustainable ingredients to emerge, THG LABS actively works with biotech pioneers to bring breakthrough materials into real-world formulations, making them accessible and commercially viable for beauty brands.

“Partnerships between innovators, manufacturers and industry leaders are essential to driving meaningful change,” said Kristal. “With Clean Oil™ 25, we now have a biotech ingredient that is regulatory-approved, scalable, and ready for brands to use in the products of tomorrow.”

Together with Clean Food Group’s biotechnology expertise and Croda’s speciality chemical capability, this regulatory approval marks a pivotal moment in sustainable beauty and demonstrates how science, manufacturing, and collaboration can come together to deliver positive impact at scale.