Sébastien Bardon, cofounder and CEO of Capsum, recently discussed the company’s groundbreaking approach to beauty product formulation with Amanda Smith, CEO of Fairchild Media Group. The conversation highlighted Capsum’s use of microfluidics and encapsulation to create cutting-edge products for leading brands.

The Power of Microfluidics and Encapsulation

These technologies represent a significant shift in how beauty products are created, offering unprecedented control and precision. Unlike traditional methods involving large-scale mixing, Capsum utilizes microfluidics to create calibrated capsules individually and continuously.

Precise Ingredient Placement

This process ensures each ingredient is placed exactly where it needs to be within the formula, at the correct concentration. This detailed approach guarantees the finished product meets the high standards demanded by beauty brands.

Architecting Product Structure

Capsum doesn’t simply mix ingredients; they engineer the product’s very structure. This innovative method provides numerous benefits, including stabilizing sensitive biotech actives and controlling ingredient release on the skin.

Enhanced Textures and Visual Appeal

The technology enables Capsum to develop textures that maximize efficacy and create visually striking formulas that appeal to consumers. Bardon playfully described his company as “geeks of formulation,” emphasizing their custom-built manufacturing equipment.

An Example: Encapsulated Pigments

One example of this technology is the encapsulation of pigments within visible droplets suspended in a water gel. Upon application, hydration is released first, followed by the bursting of the capsules to release the pigments, creating a gradual build-up of coverage.

Collaboration and Holistic Product Development

Bardon stressed that successful products seamlessly integrate performance, sensory experience, visual identity, and storytelling. He cited the Youth Activating Melon serum for Meaningful Beauty as a prime example of this holistic approach.

Close Brand Partnerships

“For us to really translate the vision of a brand into a successful product, we need to work with them very closely. They are going to define their ambition, what experience they want to create — and our role is to translate their ideas into viable products, and we need to work every day with them,” Bardon stated. This collaborative process can take up to 18 months for luxury brands.

This dedication to collaboration, combined with a state-of-the-art technological platform, transforms brand ambitions into tangible business success. The discussion offered valuable insights into the future of beauty formulation and the importance of innovation and partnership in this evolving industry.