The company that produces renewable oil and bioproducts from microalgae, has signed agreements with beauty retailer Sephora and multimedia retailer QVC to launch Algenist, its anti-aging skin care line.
The new range will be available on the QVC television channel and throughout the US and Europe this spring before plans to expand to the Middle East and Asia later in the year.
Unexpectedly discovered the ingredient
Algenist is a line of anti-aging skin care products formulated with alguronic acid. According to Solazyme, its biotechnology scientists unexpectedly discovered alguronic acid after studying thousands of microalgae strains for renewable energy solutions.
During research into potential anti-aging benefits, alguronic acid demonstrated significant rejuvenating properties, the US company claims.
Sephora and QVC will align their promotional efforts behind the Algenist launch, and Solazyme believe the reputation of the pair, particularly in skin care will aid its launch.
“Since we share their commitment to delivering ground-breaking, high-value innovations, it was a natural step for us to team up,” commented Frederic Stoeckel, general manager of Solazyme Health Sciences.
Rachel Marouani, senior vice president of marketing and e-commerce general manager of Sephora Europe, Middle East, and Asia explained that Sephora see this biotechnology platform as a promising one which will be well received by European customers.
QVC and Sephora offer strong synergy
Offering the US perspective, Sharon Rothstein, senior vice president of Marketing of Sephora US, added launching Algenist in conjunction with QVC is a strong strategy.
“We have found that availability of a product in Sephora stores and on QVC is a powerful synergy that strengthens both parties’ sales, and we believe that Algenist represents an exciting opportunity to heighten our relationship,” she said.
The line will launch with four initial product offerings featuring the anti-aging ingredient alguronic acid: a concentrated serum, two moisturizers and an eye renewal balm.
“We are constantly looking for the latest groundbreaking products to debut to our beauty customer who is both an early adopter and a beauty enthusiast. Algenist is the perfect addition to our growing assortment of premium beauty products,” added Allen Burke, QVC’s senior advisor of beauty strategy and development.