Hello! It’s your skincare obsessed bestie. Thanks for inviting me to drop by, and I can’t wait to start sharing my recs with you. Here is what you can expect from me this week.

• ICYMI: News, trends, and things to chat about over brunch

• WAY TO GLO: Authentic skincare tips

• GLO ABOVE & BEYOND: Business stories in beauty

• GLOSSIP: Sales events you won’t want to miss

ICYMI

• TRENDS🤟 

  - Rising boom of sleep tourism

  - Gen Z are sharing their locations

• BUSINESS🤝 

  - Uber is now on boat

  - The viral marketing every brand needs

• RANDOM🙌 

  - RIP the iconic OG of brand influencers

  - Pacu: this is why I hate swimming in lakes

• FOR FUNSIES 😁💖 

  - The billion-dollar jackpot Winner

  - Check out The New Yorker’s book recs for this week

WAY TO GLO!

OMG, skincare aficionados! A remarkable breakthrough has emerged from a collaborative effort between scholars at Harvard Medical School, the University of Maine, and MIT, with profound implications for anti-aging skincare. This groundbreaking study introduces a chemical method for reversing cellular aging, presenting a potential alternative to gene therapy in the quest for age reversal.

Why is this significant you ask?

Well, think about any age-related diseases or illnesses. Earlier studies have shown that gene therapy may have the potential to cure them by fixing or replacing genetic mutations in your DNA that affect how your body works. However, current gene therapy options are both time-consuming and expensive. The revelation on the recent chemical method implies that a genetically modifying treatment can potentially be viable in vivo through chemical treatment, such as a pill or a topical cream.

In skincare, this suggests that a topical cream or serum can potentially be developed to change the makeup of your DNA, removing wrinkles, pimples, or preventing collagen loss, and ultimately reversing the impact of aging.

A Bit More Background on the Science:

This groundbreaking study builds on earlier research that investigated how adult cells can be transformed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) using something called Yamanaka factors. These iPSCs have a unique ability to rejuvenate cells, making them appear and function more like youthful cells. The great thing is that this method doesn't come with the risk of uncontrolled cell growth or cancer, which was a concern with previous gene therapy approaches for age reversal. In other words, it offers a safer and more effective way to bring back youthfulness to cells without potential harmful side effects.

Currently, there are limited commercially available gene therapy methods that achieve this rejuvenation by delivering genetic material to specific parts of the body. They use techniques like introducing DNA through adeno-associated viral (AAV) delivery and using lipid nanoparticles to deliver RNA. However, the common thread: the exorbitant cost and limited application on the body.

This is where the chemical method proves to be exciting. The team of researchers has now identified six chemical combinations capable of achieving the same results as the genetic methods. If successful, this chemical approach could be more affordable and faster to develop for regenerative medicine. This exciting advancement could potentially help treat various medical conditions and might even lead to the possibility of rejuvenating the entire body. It's like unlocking the secrets of eternal youth!

The lead scientist, David A. Sinclair, A.O., Ph.D., a prominent Professor in the Department of Genetics and co-Director of the Paul F. Glenn Center for Biology of Aging Research at Harvard Medical School, is optimistic about the future possibilities. He envisions a landscape where age-related diseases can be effectively treated, injuries can be efficiently repaired, and the concept of whole-body rejuvenation becomes a tangible reality.

Like this stuff? It would mean the world to me if you can share with your friends and family! Your support is the best kind of motivation 😃 😃 😃 😃

GLO ABOVE & BEYOND

Tech firm Oddity, cleverly disguised as a beauty retailer and the proud parent company of renowned brands Il Makiage and SpoiledChild, recently made a significant move by entering the IPO market. As the company's shares started trading on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker "ODD," the move caught the attention of investors, signaling a potential upturn in interest. The response to the IPO was nothing short of remarkable, with the stock price soaring an impressive 35 percent to close at $47.54 per share, pushing Oddity's valuation to approximately $2.7 billion.

The IPO's overwhelming success surpassed initial expectations and can be largely attributed to the company's formidable digital capabilities, ensuring seamless interactions with tech-savvy consumers. Leveraging cutting-edge technology and talent, Oddity adeptly catered to the demands of modern shoppers, positioning itself as a major player in the digital beauty market.

The journey of Oddity's success began when founders Oran Holtzman and Shiran Holtzman-Erel relaunched Il Makiage in 2018 after securing a substantial investment of $29 million from L Catterton. Building on this momentum, Oddity launched SpoiledChild in February 2022, introducing a range of 17 refillable stock across hair care and skin care.

Through a series of acquisitions Oddity also significantly catapulted its digital capabilities, differentiating itself among traditional beauty brands as a tech-first beauty platform. Its acquisitions include the Boston-based biotechnology start-up Revela, Voyage81, a hyper-spectral imaging software company, and NeoWize, an Israeli data science start-up.

It is no doubt that Oddity's future prospects are promising and exciting. So far, Oddity has proven its adeptness at catering to modern consumers and delivering seamless online experiences. With its strategic use of data, technology, and AI-backed online quizzes to match customers with products, the company has achieved remarkable growth and garnered a massive user base. These advantages provide a solid foundation for Oddity's future expansion and may even push the beauty industry to the next frontier.

GLOSSIP

• CASHBACK

  Rakuten up to 6% cashback on Sephora, up to 4% off on Ulta, use my referral link to receive $30 when you sign up.

• SALES EVENTS

  Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

  ULTA 10% off for pickup orders (CODE: SUMMER23)

  Tarte 30% off (CODE: FAM30)

That’s it for today friends! Will see you again next week!