P&G Looks for Beauty Tips in Genome Lab†

New Tools Help Cosmetics Makers Learn How Skin Behaves at Molecular Level, Use Findings to Improve Products

Wall Street Journal, February 17, 2009 — As scientists worked toward sequencing the human genome, many researchers embraced an exciting new tool that might offer insight into diseases. At Procter & Gamble Co., researchers saw an additional benefit: new ways to develop dandruff shampoo, skin cream and toothpaste.

Ten years ago, P&G began using genomic tools in a laboratory near its Cincinnati headquarters to learn how skin reacts at the molecular level to factors such as product ingredients or environmental changes, and to use that knowledge to improve its consumer staples and health-care products.