Looking to achieve the ultimate level of je ne sais quoi in your skin care routine? Look no further than Kadalys. Originating in the French Caribbean, Kadalys is an eco-conscious beauty brand that upcycles banana agri-waste into patented organic actives exclusively developed to rejuvenate the skin, and through its circular economy model, gives back to the local community and to nature, according to Founder and CEO Shirley Billot.
 
Launched in France in 2012, Billot founded the brand with a very specific vision to create a caring, eco-conscious luxury beauty company based on three pillars: circular economy, green chemistry and inclusive capitalism. Utilizing the banana tree, a nod to her French West Indian heritage, Billot turned to Martinique’s native remedy known as a source of healing and rejuvenating ingredients into an elevated line of beauty products.
 
Through the development of bio-active ingredients extracted from the banana, Kadalys contends her brand sets a new standard in clean, sustainable beauty innovation. Billot took time to chat with Happi.com about the brand’s development, arrival in the US and plans for expansion.
 
Happi: How did you start this company?
 
SB: I grew up between East Africa and the Caribbean before moving to France, and I learned early from my parents the importance of respecting nature, being eco-conscious, and giving back to our community. My mother also introduced me to Creole pharmacopoeia at a very early age. In founding the Kadalys brand, I combined my desire to enhance and respect the ancestral cosmetic virtues of the banana tree with my passion for plant research. In 2010, I launched a research program to study the virtues of the banana tree and develop new cosmetic active ingredients called “Musactif.” These active ingredients are real anti-aging shields that concentrate the banana tree’s precious molecules. They aid in preserving the youthfulness of the skin to keep it looking younger and healthier. From this knowledge and research, I envisioned the potential for banana actives to help men and women of all ages around the world.  In 2012, I launched Kadalys, the first eco-conscious brand with patented active ingredients from the banana plant, thus offering skin care products with efficacy, authenticity, and sustainability.
 
Happi: What makes it different from other beauty brands?
 
SB: Through Kadalys, I wanted to create inclusive, ethical skin care products with no compromise between high performance, naturalness and citizen engagement. Called “the plant with a thousand uses,”  the banana tree has been used for centuries in traditional Caribbean medicine for its exceptional cosmetic and therapeutic properties: soothing, healing and revitalizing. The banana is a superfruit whose unique composition of anti-aging molecules gives it its powerful antioxidant and regenerating powers to preserve skin radiance and reduce skin damage. As the pioneer of sustainable banana science, Kadalys offers organic and powerful extracts to improve the health of every skin type and tone here in France and around the world.

Patented and clinically tested for their antioxidant, anti-aging, soothing, and depigmenting properties, our Banana Bio-actives are used in the composition of our high performance and clean formulas. Among the most effective ingredients in the plant world, they are also sustainable resources because they are derived from the recycling of “forgotten bananas” by the industry because they are imperfect. Only Kadalys has these exclusive and patented bio-actives extracted from the skin and pulp of green, yellow, and pink bananas. These proprietary bio-actives are obtained by a patented, dynamic and purely physical process. The three Kadalys patents cover anti-aging, depigmenting and soothing benefits for the skin. Our banana bio-active are 100% natural, without GMOs, allergens, preservatives or polluting toxic substances. They’re sourced and manufactured in an ethical and eco-responsible way, respecting the environment and the local economy. 
 
Beyond their patented and clinically proven efficacy, Kadalys products contribute to a more sustainable planet and are helping to build an inclusive and circular economy. Every product is made with natural, organic ingredients, sourced from only the most ethical and eco-friendly process. There are more than 1,300 ingredients on the Kadalys “made without” list, including parabens, sulfates (including SLS and SLES), phthalates, formaldehydes, formaldehyde-releasing agents, mineral oil, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, talc, triclosan and triclocarban. All Kadalys products are safe, effective, vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free and satisfaction-guaranteed. Our packaging is sustainable, eco-friendly and FSC certified.
 
Furthermore, Kadalys was an early adopter of the now much-talked-about circular economy model. 100% of Martinique’s Banana producers are Kadalys shareholders, and 100% of the French West Indian (FWI) banana producers are Kadalys partners. Kadalys further gives back to the community by supporting education in areas such as science and technology including sponsoring young women from Guadeloupe and Martinique to train in the scientific field.
 
Happi: Where are you selling product and any plans to expand later on in 2021?
 
SB: To start we are selling all of our products online at us.kadalys.com and on beautyque.nyc. In the first quarter of 2021, we will be adding additional SKUs available in France to the US. Stay tuned!