"Currently, we are growing three plants that do not grow in Europe as it doesn't make sense to focus on molecules that we can already find locally. We work with botanists and universities to test various genetics and grow exotics," says Lindsay Azpitarte, creator of the cosmetic brand Ulé.
Powered by vertical farming and using Tower Farms' aeroponic system, Ulé develops cosmetic products and herbicides (all pesticide-free) that are designed to improve the skin's resilience and protect it from cellular stress.
Lindsay Azpitarte and Yishai Nissan
"We don't only use flowers; we use the whole plant, what we call the 'totem' of the plant. This is part of the "Zero-Waste" policy of the project. For each plant that we grow, we've developed 60 parameters to finetune the plant's chemistry and needs during the different growing phases. Our three main variables, besides our unique genetics, are lighting, irrigation, and climate; these conditions are fully traceable and can only be optimized with indoor farming," says Yishai Nissan, Chief Technical Officer and Co-Founder of Tower Farm.
The TowerFarm system used for plant production
The blossoming potential of cosmetics
Less than half an hour from Paris, Tower Farms has a 300-square meter research facility and 750-square meter production facility that are dedicated to the Ulé project and the continued optimization of protocols. As Lindsay explains, Ulé first looked at fifteen different plants alongside Tower Farms, agronomists, and university partners.
The team subsequently narrowed the selection down to three plants. According to Yishai, in working with the Institute of Organic and Analytical Chemistry (ICOA), Ulé and Tower Farms were able to evaluate the effects of different 'innovative and pioneering' growing conditions and various types of agronomic stress on the plant's chemical profile.
"Indoor farming brings a lot of local opportunities for plant-based product developments, especially for seeing what happens to plants when we change the Genetic source and growing conditions. We think that this benefits the plant extracts and have generated results that are super good," says Yishai.
Seven products currently available, with more to come
As previously mentioned, Ulé began experimenting with 19 plant species but has narrowed it down to three: coleus, Centella, and tulsi. The seven products currently available were derived from these plants and aim to reduce the impact of stress on cells and protect against oxidative stress, boost collagen synthesis and prevent inflammation.
Ulé currently has seven products in its portfolio, including four serums, a hydro-fortifying cream, a floral mist, and an oil. The company plans to expand its product line in the near future.
Ulé's product line
"We'll soon have eight products, and next year, we will be coming out with more products. We'll also be organizing more events at our Eco-Farm where journalists can come and see it for themselves," says Lindsay.
Ulé products are available for purchase online at the Galéries Lafayette Haussmann and Ulé's pop-up store in the heart of Paris.
For more information:
Lindsay, Creator of Ulé
Ulé
[email protected]
www.ulebeauty.com
Yishai Nissan, CTO, and Co-Founder of Tower Farms
[email protected]
Tower Farm FR
www.towerfarm.fr