The brand’s signature product, the Longevity Protocol Serum + Moisturizer, replaces a traditional six-step routine by combining serum-grade actives with barrier-supporting moisturizers. At its core is the L-01™ complex, a reconstructed cell-signaling system designed to mimic the messenger proteins cells use for renewal. Che, who previously researched the skin secretome at Northwestern University, turned to plant-grown bio-identical peptides and growth factors when human cell sourcing proved unscalable.
Stem Cell Biologist Annalina Che Brings Longevity Science to Ulta
Skin care usually focuses on masking damage, but Darkfin Labs is pivoting toward cellular function. Founded by stem cell biologist Annalina Che, the brand is debuting its flagship L-01™ serum and moisturizer at Ulta.com, marking a shift from traditional multi-step regimens to a single, biologically active protocol.
To overcome the challenge of delivering large growth factors into the skin, Darkfin fused them to a lipid bilayer, a process developed using Microsoft AI Co-Innovation Labs. The resulting formula underwent two years of testing, culminating in a study of 80 participants with compromised skin. According to the company, these subjects showed measurable improvements in elasticity and line reduction over 28 days. A manuscript detailing these findings is currently in preparation for peer-reviewed publication, as the brand continues its expansion into cleansers and lip treatments.
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