Earlier this year, CosmeticsDesign reported that global chemical manufacturer BASF in partnership with non-profit organization StitchCrew, had opened the application process for its Inclusive Beauty Accelerator Program. The program, which “is specifically designed for early-stage companies in the personal care and beauty space committed to creating innovative and inclusive products,” as detailed in a company press release, offers six finalists the opportunity to attend a six-week training curriculum and benefit from partnerships with BASF mentors and access to the company’s labs as well as a $10,000 grant stipend and networking with CPG investors.
Last week, BASF and StitchCrew announced the six finalists for this year’s Inclusive Beauty Accelerator Program cohort. As the company’s announcement shared, this year’s finalists comprise a group of “self-aware founders who have a personal connection with the market they are trying to serve and are deeply committed to creating true value for their customers and growing their company.” Further, the announcement shared, “they are creating products – spanning hair care, skin care, and sun care – that celebrate the rich history of BIPOC individuals and families while addressing their specific needs.”
Here are this year’s BASF and StitchCrew Inclusive Beauty Accelerator Program finalists:
Alodia
Launched in 2017 by Dr. Isfahan Chambers-Harris, this hair care brand is focused on providing consumers with textured hair the opportunity to repair and resolve hair-related issues. Its product collection includes “shampoos, conditioners, oils and creams that aid in nourishing the hair follicles and moisturization, heat protection, and length retention,” as detailed on the company website.
Alodia focuses on three areas of hair care services: individual hair products, hair product kits, and scalp consultations. The carefully formulated product line contains natural and organic ingredients like Coco Seed Powder, Plantain skins, and Tea Tree oil to help consumers nourish and revitalize textured hair types.
Additionally, its curated hair product kits are designed to support consumers in achieving their hair goals and provide step-by-step instructions. Finally, the company also offers scalp consultations with a specific focus on delivering “treatment and prevention of common hair loss and hair thinning conditions,” as detailed on the company’s website, to further support consumers in realizing their hair care goals.
Comme Homme
Tech-enabled personal care brand Comme Homme takes a unique approach toward scalp care for men experiencing baldness and significant hair loss. The scalp care product collection includes a Soothing Scalp Moisturizer, Hydrating Scalp Wash, and Detoxifying Scalp Exfoliator formulated with natural ingredients like aloe leaf juice, arrowroot powder, and mango butter, as well as hair growth moderator Capislow to slow unwanted hair regrowth and reduce inflammation or irritation.
Additionally, Comme Homme offers consumers AR technology through its Snapchat-supported Bald Head Simulator to allow users to visualize what they will look like with a shaved or bald head before actually taking a razor to their scalp. As detailed on the company’s website, “data shows that the fear of uncertainty keeps men from shaving their heads in a timely manner,” which can lead to consumers attempting to maintain a receding hairline longer than necessary.
This technology is intended to help empower men to embrace their baldness and “turn Bald to Bold.”
Sanara
As detailed on the company’s website, body care brand Sanara’s name “is derived from the Spanish word ‘sanará,’ which means ‘you will heal.’” The Texas-based brand is female-owned and was founded by Rebekah Jasso Jensen. This clean beauty brand focuses on creating vegan products with clean ingredients that are indigenous Latin American botanicals to help create a ritualistic body care experience.
Sanara’s product collection includes the Black Brazilian Clay Soap Bar with Jojoba oil and Cupuaçu Butter, Chilean Rosehip Seed Body oil with Jojoba & Vitamin E, and Yerba Maté Bath Soak with Aloe & Jojoba oil. These options are formulated with soothing ingredients like aloe vera, nourishing vitamin E, and moisturizing mango seed butter to provide consumers with a relaxing and effective body care experience.
Journ
Founded by lawyer Sara Shah, Journ’s product collection utilizes science-backed skin care ingredients to create skin care-focused cosmetic products to address common concerns for melanated skin types. The company offers a skin care concern quiz to help match consumers to their best-fit products to meet their unique needs, as well as product tutorials and resources on building the best routine for desired results.
Journ’s product collection includes ALSO Daily Moisturizer and Sanitizer for all skin types, formulated with shea butter, hibiscus, and jojoba to nourish and repair dry skin. Other options in the collection include Kauai Color Corrector for light to medium skin tones, the Marrakech Color Corrector for medium to deep skin tones, and Alpenglow Color Corrector for all skin types. Each of these formulations is vegan, paraben, sulfate, phthalate, gluten, fragrance, and cruelty-free and utilizes clean ingredients.
Habit
Innovative sun care product brand Habit offers a unique take on sunscreen products for all skin tones, but especially for darker skin. The brand’s product collection allows consumers to use sunscreen misters for sun protection. It is available in the No. 38 Cucumber Mister, No. 39 White Peach + Neroli Mister, and No. 41 Floral Botanic Mister.
Each product offers SPF 38 broad spectrum sun protection and can be sprayed over makeup without rubbing in. Additionally, these products eliminate the unwanted “white cast” that many sunscreen products leave behind, providing a dewy finish to makeup looks.
Daybird
Skin care brand Daybird has branded itself as an “anti-beauty beauty club,” offering consumers the option of tinted skin care that is both functional and clinically active. Formulated with Niacinamide 2.0%, Bisabolol 0.5%, and offering SPF 50 sun protection with Zinc Oxide 12%, this hero product is available in four shades for consumers to find their perfect color match.
Daybird’s tinted moisturizer embraces the ‘skinimalist’ trend and offers multifunctional beauty care by functioning as a serum, moisturizer, sheer foundation, and sunscreen. Additionally, the airless pump is fully recyclable after use, and the formulation is compatible with all skin types, including sensitive skin, for a sustainable and inclusive beauty care product option.
