Earlier this month, Aveeno signed a three-year collaboration with Mayo Clinic to advance scientific research on the brand’s “Triple Oat” for use on compromised skin.

After the collaboration was announced, and ahead of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Meeting in Denver underway now, Happi spoke with Simarna Kaur, PhD, senior director, R&D, and head of Aveeno product development at Kenvue, about the Mayo collaboration, colloidal oat science, skin health issues on her radar and what she loves about her team at Aveeno.

Happi: How did this alliance with Mayo begin? What type of collaboration was in place prior to this expansion?

Simarna Kaur: Some of the foundational research behind the Aveeno brand and specifically, colloidal oat, started in partnership with Mayo Clinic back in the 1940s and 1950s.  While it’s been some time since there has been any official collaboration with Mayo Clinic, we felt like rekindling this relationship made sense on so many levels. 

HAPPI: Why is this type of alliance important to Aveeno’s skin care operations, and can you speak to how this elevates the brand’s existing commitment to science-based skin care?

Kaur:  Mayo Clinic’s mission statement of “Inspiring hope and promoting health through integrated clinical practice, education and research,” is very closely aligned to the brand’s formulation philosophy in creating science backed solutions for sensitive skin using the most effective elements of oat.

HAPPI: Colloidal oatmeal is well known… How is Kenvue continuing to study it to draw out greater understanding and benefits?

Kaur: As new scientific capabilities emerge in skincare, we’re continuously pushing ourselves to further understand our key ingredients and technologies.  Whether it’s testing on different skin types or disease states with new clinical endpoints or preclinical models, there are always opportunities to learn more about ingredients that have been around for a long time.  Fields such as transcriptomics are a great example of new ways to gain deeper insight into mechanistic action of ingredients and formulations.

HAPPI: Can you share more info about the preclinical and clinical investigation into “Triple Oat” studies or research that are part of this alliance? 

Kaur: Aveeno has a robust scientific history in elucidating the benefits of colloidal oat and triple oat for compromised skin, dating back to 1945 with the introduction of colloidal oatmeal baths to treat dermatoses. As Aveeno begins this collaboration with Mayo Clinic, we are excited to work with their multi-disciplinary physicians building on their expertise, unique patient insights and capabilities to design together preclinical and clinical research programs that will continue to advance the science on oat ingredients for compromised skin.

HAPPI: Aveeno is at AAD right now. Can you share presentations or topics that are being presented?

Kaur: Aveeno will be very active at AAD alongside our other brands like Neutrogena, NeoStrata Rogaine including booth activations, KOL presentations, panels and around 20 new research studies. One new study we’re presenting shows when used on human skin tissue being stressed by UV radiation, the ingredients in Aveeno Calm & Restore—oat flour and oat beta glucan—synergistically upregulate production of hyaluronic acid in human fibroblasts and protect against UV induced degradation of hyaluronic acid in skin explants to hydrate the skin.

Another study shows that Aveeno Skin Relief Healing Ointment formulated with Triple Oat and glycerin, increased skin hydration levels and improved surface roughness. Compared to a leading petrolatum ointment, Aveeno Skin Relief Healing Ointment provided superiority in moisturization.

HAPPI: In your opinion, what are some of the interesting areas of new research around skin health in general—and why are these on your radar?

Kaur: One of the most interesting areas of research that everyone seems to be talking about in some form or fashion is that of longevity and regenerative skin care, both of which are more preventative types of skin health and use the body’s natural ability to repair, respectively.  Every month it seems as though there is a new ‘hallmark of aging,’ which is fantastic as it continues to show our continued advancement of science in this space and consumers understanding that what we see on out the outside is more holistic than previously understood or recognized. The desire to address things at the root cause is where we as scientists have an exciting opportunity to bring new solutions to patients and consumers.

HAPPI: One last question—what do you love about your role at Kenvue, and your team?

Kaur: What I love about my role at Kenvue is the collective impact that we can have on the lives of consumers across the globe. By unlocking the power that exists in the combination of science and nature, Aveeno products nurture the skin of consumers of all ages and stages: from a 1-day old baby to a centenarian. I feel privileged to be able to work with a team of brilliant scientists and formulators who care fiercely about the people who use our products—and it also helps that I have a very cool boss!