Inside TheLab

Pholitect comes from the Nameko mushroom (Pholiota microspora), a silky, golden mushroom that naturally grows in Japan’s cool, misty forests. Locals have long loved it for its rich, smooth texture and mild, earthy taste, but it’s also quietly earned a reputation for its skin-loving benefits.

In those quiet mountain regions of Japan, nature’s been working its magic for centuries, and we’re just catching up.

We extract powerful polysaccharides from the Nameko mushroom to create Pholitect,a light, breathable layer of protection for your skin. Think of it as your skin’s daily shield, guarding against UV rays, blue light from your screens, and even near-infrared light.It’s completely vegan and plant-based, a beautiful alternative to animal-derived ingredients like snail mucin.

It’s super gentle, anti-inflammatory, and packed with antioxidants your skin will thank you for.

In our research and after talking to our community, we found snail mucin wasn’t cutting it for everyone, some found it too sticky, others just didn’t love the idea.

So we asked ourselves: What if we could offer the same hydration and glow, but from a cleaner, more ethical source?

That search led us to Nameko.

It’s light, calming, non-comedogenic, and absorbs beautifully, especially for those with oily or combination skin. Even better? It simplified things. In our trials, almost 40% participants didn’t even need a separate moisturizer. So we made it the star of our serum because skincare should feel good, work hard, and never weigh you down.

Noni has grown wild for centuries across the lush islands of Southeast Asia and the Pacific, where ancient healers passed down its secrets long before serums and cleansers existed. Used in traditional medicine to heal wounds, calm inflammation, and soothe the skin, this tropical fruit earned its place as a quiet hero in natural wellness. Today, it may look humble on the outside, but inside, it’s a powerhouse of skin-renewing magic.

Packed with vitamins C, A, and E, Noni is your skin’s natural protector. It fights off everyday stressors like sun, pollution, and free radicals that age the skin before its time. It purifies without stripping. It cleans without the sting, and its antioxidants work to smooth fine lines, fade dark spots, and bring life back to tired, congested skin.

If you’re oily, acne-prone, or just craving that clean, hydrated glow, Noni meets your skin where it’s at and brings it back into balance.

We’ve all used those exfoliators that feel like they’re scrubbing the life out of your face. We wanted the opposite. We wanted clean but gentle. A formula that you could reach without fear of dryness or irritation, that’s why we chose Noni. It’s powerful, but soft. Healing, but never harsh.

We paired it with 100% natural cellulose to create a texture so soft it feels like cotton, one that gently lifts away oil and impurities, while helping fade spots and bring your skin back to calm.

High in the rugged mountains of Korea and China, Ginseng has been cherished for generations, used in teas, tonics, and healing rituals that have stood the test of time.

But in recent years, something K-Dramas gave this herbal root a new life and suddenly, this ancient root wasn’t just in herbal medicine cabinets. It was in hair serums, brow treatments, and beauty shelves across the world. A quiet legacy turned global obsession, and with good reason.

Ginseng isn’t just an ingredient, it’s a reviver. It boosts blood circulation to your scalp and follicles, helping deliver oxygen and nutrients right where growth begins.

It's star compound, ginsenosides, creates a balanced, nourishing environment so that weak or thinning hair can start to thrive again, stronger, healthier, and fuller.

In our clinical research and findings, we kept hearing the same thing over and over “I used castor oil but it made my skin break out.”

Or worse, “It got into my eyes.” There were solutions out there, sure, but none that felt clean, effective, and easy. So we searched deeper, and found Ginseng. Its reputation in hair growth wasn’t new, but its potential in everyday beauty routines felt underrated.

We paired it with biotinoyl and tripeptide-1, creating a gentle, targeted formula that actually works, no mess, no irritation. The formulation is 100% water-based. It’s for everyone who’s ever looked in the mirror and wished their brows would come back.

Now they can, and they will.

Kudzu has been a quiet healer in East Asia for centuries, especially in China and Japan, used in traditional medicine to treat everything from inflammation to skin conditions. Its rich history in natural healing has made it a go-to ingredient for overall health and wellness.

Kudzu root has recently gained recognition in skincare for its ability to promote smooth, youthful, and radiant skin. Its natural anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and detoxifying properties help soothe redness, calm irritation, and reduce inflammation, making it ideal for sensitive skin.

Kudzu root also helps with conditions like acne or rosacea, contributing to a clearer, more even-toned complexion. Its hydrating and nourishing qualities make it an all-natural solution for maintaining healthy, glowing skin and reversing the signs of aging.

Kudzu is a relatively unexplored ingredient in skincare, and we wanted to develop something that addresses the early signs of aging while also focusing on inflammation. We were looking for an ingredient that could smooth the texture of the skin, help with pigmentation, and reduce irritation.

That’s why we paired Kudzu with Matrixyl 3000 in our formula. Our goal was to create a one-stop solution for night care, something that tackles anti-aging, reduces pigmentation, calms inflammation, and leaves the skin feeling supple.

After struggling to find a product that delivered all these benefits, we’re proud to say this product truly does it all.

Tazman Pepper™ (Tasmannia lanceolata) is a native shrub found in the cool, dense rainforests of Tasmania and southern Victoria, Australia. It thrives in moist, nutrient-rich soil, often near streams and waterways.

For generations, Indigenous communities in Tasmania have used its spicy, aromatic berries and leaves for their soothing and medicinal properties especially to calm inflamed or irritated skin.

Traditionally known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits, Tazman Pepper™ is now celebrated in skincare for its ability to quickly soothe reactive skin. It helps reduce the feeling of burning, itching, and discomfort while visibly calming redness.

Rich in polygodial, a potent bioactive compound, it offers fast relief making it especially effective for sensitive skin and concerns like rosacea and eczema. Unlike many plant extracts, it acts quickly and gently to restore comfort.

In developing the Nameko Hydrating Serum, we wanted more than just deep hydration we wanted comfort. With more people experiencing sensitivity due to heat, humidity, and pollution, especially in the Indian subcontinent, Tazman Pepper™ felt like the right choice.

Its rapid soothing effect makes it a perfect pairing with the hydrating and barrier-strengthening ingredients in this formula, helping skin feel instantly calm, cool, and cared for.

Matrixyl 3000 is a patented peptide complex developed in France, designed to address visible signs of skin aging.

It combines two advanced peptides, palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 that work in harmony to support the skin’s natural repair functions and enhance collagen production. With strong clinical backing.

This active helps improve skin elasticity, reduce fine lines, and restore firmness by stimulating collagen and elastin synthesis. It also supports the skin’s barrier and helps reduce inflammation over time.

What sets it apart is its gentle yet effective performance delivering long-term results without the irritation that often comes with traditional actives. Suitable for all skin types.

It offers a smooth, plump, and visibly healthier appearance.

In formulating the Kudzu Restoring Serum, we wanted an ingredient that could deliver clinically proven anti-aging results while remaining gentle and barrier-safe.

Matrixyl 3000 stood out. While widely respected in international formulations, it’s still a new entrant to the Indian skincare space making it a unique global active in our lineup.

The peptide technology brings a modern, science-led approach to skin repair, perfectly aligned with the restorative goals of this serum.