COSMAX, a global cosmetics ODM (research, development, manufacturing) company, is strengthening its technology leadership in scalp and hair research by integrating extensive biometric big data with artificial intelligence (AI). In response to the expanding K-beauty demand in hair care, COSMAX aims to reshape the global market paradigm towards hyper-personalization.
Recently, COSMAX announced the development and patent application of an AI-based alopecia prediction model. Traditional alopecia prediction methods predominantly rely on invasive techniques, such as genetic testing and microbiome analysis, which limit consumer accessibility. COSMAX has tackled this challenge by training its AI model on approximately 22 million health examination data entries from South Korea and Japan to create a non-invasive alopecia prediction approach.
The AI model comprehensively analyzes 33 key variables, including physiological and medical indicators like blood pressure and liver enzymes, alongside demographic and socioeconomic factors. Recognizing that alopecia is influenced by an individual's environment and psychosocial conditions, COSMAX has developed a system that analyzes lifestyle factors to provide more accurate predictions.
The algorithm has been trialed on COSMAX's customized beauty platform, BYNIQ. If the evaluation predicts a low risk of alopecia, products based on the anti-hair loss functional ingredient SOYACT are recommended; conversely, those at higher risk are pointed toward solutions containing the premium ingredient GANOXYL, demonstrating a data-driven hyper-personalization service.
COSMAX is also expanding its research scope internationally. In a recent study analyzing the scalp lipidome among 387 subjects of East Asian, European, and African descent, three scalp types were identified, defining unique lipid structures and susceptibility factors specific to each ethnicity while also pinpointing common lipid conditions that worsen scalp environments related to hair loss.
Leveraging these insights, COSMAX plans to establish ethnicity-specific biomarker panels to introduce products optimized for each scalp's biological characteristics. In addition to cutting-edge biotechnology for developing foundational materials and elucidating mechanisms, COSMAX has made significant progress in fundamental research. Working with Seoul National University, the company developed a new material, Corelink-S, capable of restoring cystine bonds in hair to enhance tensile strength by over 120%. This material has been selected as a finalist in the hair care formulation category at the upcoming Cosmoprof Bologna, the world’s largest beauty expo.
COSMAX has also been recognized for identifying the mechanism behind stress-induced graying hair using the world’s first human hair follicle organoids technology, placing the company at a higher level in hair care research. The innovations have led to tangible business results, with COSMAX's hair care sales in the first half of the year witnessing an approximate 65% increase compared to the same period last year. Over the past three years, COSMAX has filed 37 patents in the hair care sector, establishing a virtuous cycle where a technology gap translates into revenue growth.
Building on its research expertise, COSMAX is also accelerating its international business expansion. Last year, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with ScienceCo, a global functional materials company, targeting the $17 trillion curly hair market and developing specialized lines that categorize hair and scalp conditions into 12 different segments. In July, COSMAX established a joint venture, TRYNEX, with FujiShin, a leading distributor in the Japanese beauty industry, to create a customized hair care business model that integrates COSMAX's AI prescription technology with local distribution networks.
According to a COSMAX representative, "Our integration of AI and big data-driven convergence technology through global customized research is broadening the horizons of hair care research. We will lead the paradigm shift toward hyper-personalization in the hair care sector by offering customized solutions based on patented technologies and verified data."
