The latest K-beauty craze is made from dead Americans' skin. Now it's aiming for the US.
A beauty treatment driving tens of millions of dollars in sales around the globe is now aiming for the US market. It's made from dead Americans' skin.
A new beauty treatment, derived from the skin of deceased Americans, is gaining traction and generating significant revenue. Each year, tens of thousands of Americans donate their bodily tissue upon death, with the donations typically made through a motor vehicle department or by a loved one's authorization. This donated skin is then transported to biotech companies in South Korea, where it is transformed into injectable beauty treatments.
The leading Korean brand in this market, Re2O, has signed a distribution deal to introduce its skin-derived injection to the US market next year. However, it remains unclear whether the product can be legally sold without approval from federal regulators. The revenue generated by these skin-derived injections in South Korea is projected to reach $75 million this year, with Re2O responsible for between 60% and 70% of the sales.
South Korea is renowned for its advanced beauty treatments, making it an ideal market for these products. The popularity of these treatments has led to the emergence of "skin boosters," a category of injectable beauty treatments. The treatment involves decellularizing, drying, and grinding the skin into a powder for injection, aiming to boost the skin's appearance and collagen production.
Re2O, the leading brand, has expanded its product line with Re2O Fine, marketed for more delicate skin, and plans to launch a human fat-derived filler next year. The company sold 700,000 units of Re2O as of September, with operations expanding to Singapore, China, the United Arab Emirates, Peru, and Thailand. L&C Bio, the manufacturer, has also discussed the potential acquisition of US tissue banks through its US distribution partner.
The introduction of Re2O to the US could lead to a regulatory challenge, as the FDA has stated that products derived from donor skin, even when decellularized and ground into a powder for injection, may require more complex approval processes. L&C Bio has not commented on their discussions with regulators, leaving the future of this innovative beauty treatment uncertain.
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