Celebrating our innovative ingredients: Zenakine™ - redefining neurocosmetic skincare possibilities
8 September 2025: Croda International Plc (“Croda”), the company that uses smart science to create high-performance ingredients and solutions that improve lives, has recently launched Zenakine™, a biotech-based neuroactive ingredient designed to counteract the effects of stress on the skin.
This cutting-edge innovative ingredient is based on discoveries made by the translational dermatology team at the University of Manchester, UK and subsequently developed by SkinBiotherapeutics plc, an AIM listed company focused on skin health. As commercial and manufacturing partners, Croda first introduced this cutting edge active earlier this year – through a dedicated process at concept line, including a night cream developed specifically for clinical tests – at in-cosmetics Global, the world’s largest cosmetics ingredients exhibition.
The creation of this active ingredient marks a new era in neurocosmetic skincare innovation being formulated to restore emotional balance and enhance skin vitality. Zenakine is a high-performance active ingredient that supports the skin’s natural response to stress, working in sync with the skin’s natural biological rhythms, enhancing melatonin production to help improve sleep quality, help combat stress ageing and support wellbeing.
Susanna Casas, Managing Director, Sales & Customer Service Sales at Croda commented: “Zenakine exemplifies our strategy to deliver differentiated, science-led solutions in high-growth markets. It strengthens our premium beauty actives portfolio and reflects our commitment to innovation, efficacy and sustainability at its core.”
Fully biodegradable and compliant with COSMOS and RSPO standards, it is the latest addition to Croda’s portfolio of sustainable actives, developed using renewable feedstocks and designed to meet the highest standards of environmental stewardship. It reflects Croda’s ongoing investment in science-led solutions that improve lives while protecting the planet.
To discover the science behind Zenakine, now available to customers worldwide, visit: Zenakine™ | Croda Beauty
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Mariana Wood, Croda Press Office
+447780987136
media.enquiries@croda.com
Notes to Editors
About Croda
Croda is a speciality chemicals company that creates high performance ingredients and solutions principally for Consumer Care and Life Sciences markets. Established 100 years ago in 1925 and headquartered in the UK, Croda is a FTSE 100 company with over 5,800 employees across 94 locations in 36 countries. Revenues in 2024 were £1.6bn. With a shared Purpose to use Smart science to improve lives™, and with around two thirds of its organic raw materials already from bio-based sources, Croda has committed to be the most sustainable supplier of innovative ingredients, becoming Climate, Land and People Positive by 2030 while providing solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges.
To find out more about Croda visit: www.croda.com
Croda Beauty
At Croda Beauty, we’re innovating for a beautiful world, one experience at a time. We craft trend-setting ingredients that redefine beauty standards and surpass expectations. With cutting-edge technology and capabilities in functional ingredients, actives and botanicals, along with our extensive formulation expertise, we can help you stand out and build an enduring brand in the global beauty industry.
To find out more about Croda Beauty visit: www.crodabeauty.com
About SkinBiotherapeutics plc
SkinBiotherapeutics is a life science company focused on skin health. The Group's proprietary platform technology, SkinBiotix®, is based upon discoveries made by the translational dermatology team at the University of Manchester.
The Group's foundation business is targeting the skin healthcare market via five pillars, the most advanced of which are cosmetic skincare (SkinBiotix) and food supplements to modulate the immune system by harnessing the gut-skin axis (AxisBiotix). The cosmetic pillar has a partnership with Croda plc and the Group's first in-house product, AxisBiotix-Ps™, is a food supplement to address the symptoms of mild to moderate psoriasis.
The Group is also acting as a consolidator and is making acquisitions in complementary areas such as skin care and cosmetic applications, that also bring new distribution and geographical platforms, and manufacturing capabilities through which it can funnel its in-house pillar products.
The Company listed on AIM in April 2017 and is based in Newcastle, UK.
For more information, visit: www.skinbiotherapeutics.com
SkinBiotheraputics plc: +44 (0) 191 495 7325
Vigo Consulting: +44 (0) 20 7390 0230, Rozi Morris, SkinBio@vigoconsulting.com
