Press release

6^th September 2022

Cellular Goods PLC

('Cellular Goods' or 'the Company')

Publication of white paper exploring the top-five benefits of cannabinoids for skincare applications

Cellular Goods (LSE: CBX), a UK-based wellness company providing premium consumer products formulated with lab-produced cannabinoids, today announces the publication of a new white paper, 'The 5 A's of Cannabinoid Skincare', which explores the benefits cannabinoids, namely cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG), can have for the skin as powerhouse ingredients that provide a multitude of benefits for skincare applications.

Cellular Goods refers to these benefits as the '5 A's of Cannabinoid Skincare' owing to cannabinoids' strong ageing prevention, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-melanogenesis properties.

A growing body of robust scientific evidence is revealing that CBD and, in particular CBG, are potent actives that can prevent the skin ageing effects of UV radiation; inhibit the irritating effects of inflammation that accelerate ageing in a process coined as "inflammaging"; protect skin from the damaging effects of cellular oxidation and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS); stop the growth of blemish-causing bacteria; and through anti-melanogenesis brighten skin and promote even skin tone.

It is these benefits that form the basis from which CBG and CBD can keep skin healthy, smooth, firm and radiant. To date Vitamin C, retinoids, and exfoliating acids are the active ingredients that have dominated the market as ingredients addressing skin ageing, blemishes, and skin tone related concerns, while they have proven to be effective, they are also known to cause skin irritation and sensitivity. These traditional skincare ingredients fall short of cannabinoids which provide a wider range of skincare benefits without the risk of irritation.

In 'The 5 A's of Cannabinoid Skincare' white paper, the multifaceted benefits of cannabinoids, are summarised with the intent of providing consumers and formulators alike with an appreciation for the spectrum of advantages that CBG and CBD can confer to skincare applications without being limited by their irritation potential and risk of photosensitivity.

Ageing Prevention

In addition to having a higher tolerability allowing for more frequent use than the existing catalogue of anti-ageing ingredients such as Vitamin C, retinoids and exfoliating acids, cannabinoids present a proactive solution to skin ageing thanks to their protective properties meaning they can complement the use of other ingredients. Cellular Goods successfully confirmed these benefits in an in-vivo study involving the Company's Rejuvenating Face Serum, where 166 female participants reported that their skin was visibly rejuvenated, appeared healthier, more radiant, and smoother after four weeks of use. These result attest to the ageing prevention benefits of CBG and help form the basis of the new Rejuvenating Range from Cellular Goods which contains a proprietary blend of CBG and CBD.

Anti-Inflammatory

Findings from recent studies reveal CBG and CBD have a significant capacity to prevent inflammation caused by common stimuli, including UV radiation and bacterial pathogens, in a manner that is more effective than Vitamin C, currently the most widely used active. For instance, Willow Biosciences, Cellular Goods' supply partner, reported that pre-treatment of human dermal fibroblasts with CBG or CBD was more effective than Vitamin C for preventing inflammation caused by UVA radiation.

Antioxidant

Emerging research has demonstrated that cannabinoids such as CBG and, to a lesser extent CBD, are equally if not more effective than Vitamin C at protecting skin from the ageing effects of ROS activity and UV exposure. A recent study published by Willow Biosciences found that CBG and, to a lesser extent CBD, had markedly higher antioxidant capacities than Vitamin C, and were consequentially more effective at preventing the formation of ROS (a key driver of ageing) within human dermal fibroblasts.

Anti-Bacterial

CBG and CBD's potent anti-bacterial properties enable them to combat blemishes without irritating skin through two distinct pathways, inhibiting the inflammation caused by the pathogen Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) and also by inhibiting this pathogen's growth, with CBG being more effective than CBD in both instances. The overgrowth of C. acnes is one of the key mechanisms that consistently contribute to the formation of blemishes. C. acnes' overgrowth contributes to acne vulgaris, a dermatological condition affecting 9% of the global population. While over-the-counter (OTC) treatment options targeting specific factors of acne vulgaris' pathogenesis have emerged leveraging retinoids and including active ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, sulphur and tea tree oil the use of these actives is usually limited by their irritation potential.

Anti-Melanogenesis

Excessive production of melanin in the skin can lead to hyperpigmentation, a term used to describe uneven darker patches of skin that can be caused by everything from acne scars to sun damage. This common condition has fuelled the growth of a $6 billion skincare and treatment market. Through proprietary research, Cellular Goods discovered that CBG is particularly effective for enhancing the anti-melanogenesis outcomes of select skin brightening actives. Additionally, cannabinoids benefit from enhanced effectiveness meaning that a lower concentration is sufficient for achieving a specific level of efficacy without the irritation risks of higher-strength formulas. Cellular Goods filed a patent based on these results and is incorporating these insights into ongoing product development.

The white paper is available to view at this link: https://cellular-goods.com/learn/articles/science/white-paper-the-five-a-of-cannabinoid-skincare.

Anna Chokina, Chief Executive of Cellular Goods, said: "The benefits of cannabinoids for maintaining healthy skin are both far-reaching and undeniable and the release of today's white paper shows Cellular's commitment to delivering science-backed cannabinoid-powered products that can support healthier, youthful skin and elevate any robust skincare routine.

"The total addressable market for skincare products designed to support age-prevention and tackle blemishes and hyperpigmentation is substantial and Cellular Goods is proud to provide consumers with rejuvenating products that can address this array of skincare concerns."

Alexia Blake, Head of Product Development and Product Research at Cellular Goods, said: "Many conventional active ingredients prevalent in the market across anti-aging, anti-blemish, antioxidant and hyperpigmentation products have unpleasant side-effects that prevent frequent use. The body of research explored in this white paper provides compelling evidence of the benefits of CBG and CBD as safe, effective and well tolerated ingredients that present the skincare solutions of the future. 

"Emerging research into cannabinoids is continuing to unveil the multifaceted benefits of these fascinating ingredients, which dovetails with their well-established tolerability amongst consumers with sensitive skin unlike many common skincare ingredients, including retinoids, Vitamin C and exfoliating acids. On this basis, cannabinoids present a new class of active ingredients that warrant a role in any skincare routine."

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About Cellular Goods PLC:

Cellular Goods is a UK-based wellness company that provides premium products based on lab-made cannabinoids. It was established in August 2018 to develop efficacy-led and research-backed cannabinoid-powered wellness products. The initial focus is on three product verticals: Function Better, Feel Better and Look Better. These three verticals encompass Cellular Goods' premium CBG skincare and CBD ingestible and topical athletic recovery products, with the first products launched in December 2021 initially through the Company's website. The Company's shares are listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. www.cellular-goods.com