Move Over, Earth: Space-Age Skincare Is Here
If you thought the beauty industry had exhausted every corner of the planet in search of the next miracle ingredient, look up. British inventor and creative director Lauren Bowker — the brain behind hyper-experimental brand The Unseen — is officially bringing space-certified biotechnology to skincare. Enter Exist, her new, performance-driven beauty brand that ditches fleeting trends in favour of hard-hitting science.
The brand launches with the Spacelip system, a duo of completely clear lip balms designed for deep renewal and daily protection. But it’s the origin story that has our inner beauty geek obsessing: the formula is powered by a pioneering bioactive complex cultivated aboard none other than the International Space Station (ISS). This isn’t marketing fluff, either. Developed using Space Foundation-certified biotechnology, the NASA-origin, space-proven active was originally discovered in orbit to help protect skin cells from the harshest conditions in space. On Earth, it translates to advanced, hard-working hydration that works from the inside out, helping to protect lips from everyday environmental stressors.
According to laboratory data, this cosmic active boosts the skin’s natural hyaluronic acid by up to 300% (based on in vitro testing in a fibroblast cell culture model, demonstrating up to a 283% increase), giving lips a cushioned, intensely hydrated finish. For those of us dealing with chronically chapped lips, the clinical trial results are genuinely impressive. Based on a one-week study of 35 participants aged 26 to 44 — measured using a Corneometer instrument and visual grading — the range is clinically proven to improve the look and feel of lips in just three days. Within a single week, the data showed lip smoothness increased by up to 100%, fine lines were reduced by up to 60%, and plumpness increased by up to 86%. In fact, 100% of users agreed their lips looked the best they ever had after seven days.
Bowker, who is celebrated for engineering responsive pigments that react to light, heat, air, and touch across art and fashion, is shifting gears with this new beauty venture. While her previous work pushed the absolute boundaries of experimental beauty, this new brand represents a more considered, accessible, and everyday evolution. It pairs scientific innovation with a fierce commitment to responsible, circular design. Case in point: the packaging. Exist is debuting the world’s first all-metal stick refill system for lip care. Built entirely from recyclable and reusable components, the design utilises zero plastic and zero composites, meaning no eco-compromises when you finish your balm.
The system itself is a two-part mechanism. First, there is The Vessel, an ergonomic, heavy metal exterior piece that feels straight out of 2001: A Space Odyssey, designed to last forever. Then, you choose your refill core, known as The Capsule, which can either be slotted into The Vessel’s metal casing or carried completely alone for compact convenience.
The Capsule comes in two distinct formulas to cater to your lips’ shifting needs. Void [000] is a completely weightless, fragrance-free balm engineered for continuous daily hydration and constant reapplication. Meanwhile, Origin [001] is an ultra-hydrating, sensorial clear balm that leaves a distinct cooling effect on the skin.
But perhaps the most sensorial element of Exist is Origin’s signature flavour and fragrance profile. The brand drew inspiration from the scents that astronauts are said to miss most while floating in orbit: Earth itself. The grounding, nostalgic scent profile blends notes of fresh grass, camphor, and geosmin (the earthy scent of rain on dry soil), alongside a grass-derived, bio-grown antioxidant called naringenin, known for supporting the skin barrier and helping to protect against environmental stressors.
While the clear Spacelip system marks the initial launch, Bowker already has plans to expand the universe. Expect six tinted shades using the same advanced hydration technology to drop in summer 2026. Following that, autumn 2026 will welcome Equinox, a golden-hour, bio-grown illuminator housed in an all-new bronze iteration of The Vessel. It is safe to say our makeup bags are about to get a serious stellar upgrade.
Exist is now available online at wecanexist.com, with prices starting from £34 ($44) and shipping available to both the UK and US.