What BIOEFFECT does

BIOEFFECT is an Icelandic plant-biotechnology skincare company founded in 2010 by three Icelandic scientists who, beginning in 2001, developed a patented method of producing human growth factors — Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), Keratinocyte Growth Factor (KGF), and Interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1a) — in barley plants cultivated in a geothermal-powered greenhouse in Iceland and watered with Icelandic spring water. These proprietary barley-derived growth factors are the active ingredients across the company's product portfolio, which spans the EGF Essentials line (EGF Serum, EGF Eye Serum, EGF Day Serum, EGF Essence, Hydrating Cream), the EGF Power line (Power Serum, Power Cream, Power Eye Cream) targeting mature skin, the 3xGF Recovery clinical line for post-procedure use, the 30 Day Power Treatment (the only product combining all three growth factors), and adjacent skincare (Icelandic Water Mist, Imprinting Hydrogel Masks, Facial Cleanser, Lip Balm, body and hand serums), with retail prices from $8 accessories to $759 collection sets.

The company operates a hybrid direct-to-consumer model: bioeffect.com as the primary storefront, two flagship retail stores in downtown Reykjavik, and direct sales infrastructure in Iceland, the United Kingdom, and the United States (with offices in New York and London), complemented by distributor partnerships covering approximately 20 additional international markets. Customer segments are organized horizontally across anti-aging skincare consumers, post-procedure/clinical skincare consumers, and preventive skincare consumers in their 20s–30s, with marketing executed through content (Our Science, Our Stories), organic social, PR-led editorial coverage in publications including WWD, Elle, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, and Harper's Bazaar, email, and SEO. BIOEFFECT employs roughly 55 people (majority in Iceland), is privately held with no parent company or disclosed institutional investors, and has operated since founding with only minor grant-style funding from the Icelandic Technology Development Fund (totaling ~$491K across 2013–2016).

The current leadership team — CEO Liv Bergthorsdottir (since 2020), CSO Berglind Johansen (since 2013), Senior VP North America Aubi Oskarsdottir (since 2018), CFO Petur Hafsteinsson (since 2023), and CPO Valgeir H Kjartansson (since 2023) — reflects a transition from founder-led science team to a commercially professionalized operator structure aligned with the brand's recent expansion into cleanser, lip care, and mist categories alongside its growth factor franchise.

Name

BIOEFFECT

Legal name

BIOEFFECT

Website

https://bioeffect.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

BIOEFFECT is an Icelandic plant-biotechnology skincare company that produces proprietary human growth factors (EGF, KGF, IL-1a) in barley cultivated in geothermal-powered greenhouses, selling premium anti-aging skincare direct-to-consumer across more than 20 countries via e-commerce, flagship stores, and distributors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Anti-aging Skincare

NAICS

Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing (325411)

SIC

Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844), Soap, Detergents, Cleang Preparations, Perfumes, Cosmetics (2840)

akta.pro primary industry

Treatment Skincare (Serums, Actives, Acne & Anti-aging) (CRABAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dermocosmetics & Medical-Grade Skincare (CRABAAAF), Natural/Organic & Clean Skincare (CRABAAAH)

Keywords

• Anti-aging skincare
• Growth factor serums
• Plant biotechnology cosmetics
• Icelandic skincare brand
• EGF skin treatments

Headquarters

HQ city

Kópavogur

HQ country

Iceland

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Direct E-commerce Sales: BIOEFFECT generates revenue primarily through direct-to-consumer sales via its e-commerce platform bioeffect.com, offering a full range of skincare products with pricing from $8 to $607.
2. Retail Store Sales: Revenue generated through two flagship stores located in downtown Reykjavik, Iceland.
3. Distributor/International Sales: Products available in approximately 20 countries worldwide through distributor partnerships, serving Iceland, UK, and US directly while other markets are managed through distributors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

BIOEFFECT manufactures and sells premium anti-aging skincare products powered by plant-biotech growth factors. Its signature ingredients — EGF, KGF, and IL-1a — are produced in barley cultivated in geothermal-powered greenhouses in Iceland, and are incorporated into serums, eye creams, day serums, moisturizers, mists, masks, cleansers, body and hand serums, and lip balm sold globally through DTC e-commerce, flagship retail, and distributors.

Product overview

BIOEFFECT is an award-winning Icelandic skincare brand founded in 2010, specializing in growth factor technology powered by plant biotechnology. The company produces EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor) and other growth factors in barley plants cultivated in geothermal-powered greenhouses in Iceland. The product portfolio centers on the flagship EGF Serum family (EGF Serum, EGF Eye Serum, EGF Day Serum) as the core anti-aging offerings, with advanced EGF Power line (EGF Power Serum, EGF Power Eye Cream, EGF Power Cream) for mature skin, and the 3xGF Recovery line for post-procedure use containing three growth factors (EGF, KGF, IL-1a). Supporting products include the 30 Day Power Treatment, Icelandic Water Mist, Hydrating Cream, EGF Essence, Imprinting Hydrogel Masks, facial and body cleansers, and hand/body serums. Bundled collections like the EGF Serum Value Set and EGF Power Collection offer curated routines. The brand emphasizes minimalist formulations with only essential ingredients, clean beauty principles, and scientifically proven results for anti-aging skincare.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 3xGF Recovery: Post-treatment recovery line developed for use following professional dermatology and aesthetic treatments, featuring three plant-biotech growth factors (EGF, KGF, and IL-1a) to accelerate healing and deliver age-defying benefits.
• EGF Power
• EGF Essentials

Products and services

• EGF Serum Award-winning anti-aging serum containing only 7 pure ingredients and powered by plant-derived EGF produced in barley; clinically proven to visibly improve skin firmness, smoothness, and hydration while reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Sold to individual consumers directly via bioeffect.com.
• EGF Eye Serum Age-defying eye serum with EGF and hyaluronic acid featuring a cooling stainless steel rollerball applicator; reduces puffiness and smooths fine lines around the delicate eye area. Sold to individual consumers directly via bioeffect.com.
• EGF Day Serum Lightweight oil-free daytime serum with EGF for deep hydration and visible age-defying results; provides a smooth finish ideal as a base for makeup and SPF. Sold to individual consumers directly via bioeffect.com.
• EGF Power Serum Intensive age-defying serum for mature skin with multiple signs of aging; contains EGF and KGF growth factors plus N-Acetyl Glucosamine (NAG) to target hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and skin barrier support. Sold to individual consumers directly via bioeffect.com.
• EGF Power Eye Cream Intensive age-defying eye cream with 6 active ingredients including BIOEFFECT EGF, Caffeine, Bakuchiol, peptide-rich barley seed extract, Niacinamide, and ceramides; targets fine lines, dark circles, and puffiness. Sold to individual consumers directly via bioeffect.com.
• EGF Power Cream Intensive age-defying face cream enriched with double vitamin E and squalane; targets wrinkles, age spots, loss of firmness, and dehydration while strengthening the skin barrier. Sold to individual consumers directly via bioeffect.com.
• 3xGF Recovery Serum Post-treatment recovery serum containing three barley-derived growth factors (EGF, KGF, and IL-1a); accelerates healing after professional dermatology and aesthetic treatments. Sold to individual consumers directly via bioeffect.com.
• 3xGF Recovery Eye Serum Post-treatment eye serum with two types of EGF and KGF for rebuilding skin density on thin undereye skin, supporting natural collagen production and the skin barrier. Sold to individual consumers directly via bioeffect.com.
• 30 Day Power Treatment Triple-action anti-aging serum treatment with three growth factors (EGF, KGF, IL-1a) designed for 30-day intensive boosting of skincare routines; delivers transformative age-defying results in 30 days. Sold to individual consumers directly via bioeffect.com.
• Icelandic Water Mist Ultra-fine facial mist with pure Icelandic water filtered through volcanic rock; delivers instant hydration and revitalization and contains 11 pure ingredients including glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and inositol. Sold to individual consumers directly via bioeffect.com.
• EGF Essence Lightweight fast-absorbing facial essence with EGF, glycerin, and Icelandic water; hydrates, smooths, and preps the skin to enhance serum and cream efficacy. Sold to individual consumers directly via bioeffect.com.
• Imprinting Hydrogel Mask Hydrating face mask infused with high concentrations of Hyaluronic Acid and Glycerin that delivers intense hydration and maximizes BIOEFFECT serum efficacy in a moisture-rich environment. Sold to individual consumers directly via bioeffect.com.
• Imprinting Eye Masks Hydrating eye masks with Hyaluronic Acid and Glycerin for intense hydration around the delicate eye contour area, featuring a cooling gel texture. Sold to individual consumers directly via bioeffect.com.
• Hydrating Cream Daily nourishing moisturizer with long-lasting hydration; oil-free formula that delivers immediate and deep hydration while improving radiance and skin tone. Sold to individual consumers directly via bioeffect.com.
• EGF Body Serum Anti-aging body serum infused with EGF that smooths, hydrates, and rejuvenates dry body skin, specially developed for body skin. Sold to individual consumers directly via bioeffect.com.
• EGF Hand Serum Age-defying hand serum with EGF that smooths, hydrates, and rejuvenates dry hands and cuticles. Sold to individual consumers directly via bioeffect.com.
• Facial Cleanser Nourishing gel-to-milk cleanser with squalane that gently removes makeup and impurities while supporting healthy-looking skin. Sold to individual consumers directly via bioeffect.com.
• Micellar Cleansing Water No-rinse cleanser water for gentle makeup removal and skin cleansing. Sold to individual consumers directly via bioeffect.com.
• Lip Balm Soothing lip balm to nourish and protect lips, formulated with BIOEFFECT's signature EGF technology. Sold to individual consumers directly via bioeffect.com.
• EGF Serum Value Set Limited-edition value set featuring full-size EGF Serum (15ml) plus complimentary sizes of EGF Day Serum, EGF Essence, and Hydrating Cream at the price of the standalone serum. Sold to individual consumers directly via bioeffect.com.
• EGF Power Collection Three-step power routine including EGF Power Serum (15ml), EGF Power Cream (50ml), and EGF Power Eye Cream (15ml) at 20% savings; designed for mature skin with visible signs of aging. Sold to individual consumers directly via bioeffect.com.
• Good Morning Good Night Dual serum set containing EGF Day Serum and EGF Serum for a complete morning and evening anti-aging routine. Sold to individual consumers directly via bioeffect.com.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 73% reduction in appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with EGF Power Serum after 90 days
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• SheSleepminorGTM or Marketing PartnerExclusive partnership between BIOEFFECT and SheSleep, a holistic sleep app for women. The collaboration connects science-backed skincare with sleep wellness, addressing the benefits of better sleep for skin health.
• Ása SteinarsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIcelandic adventure photographer and videographer Ása Steinars collaborated with BIOEFFECT to create limited-edition Holiday Gift Sets, featuring her photography on product packaging.
• LoreenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSwedish singer-songwriter Loreen collaborated with BIOEFFECT on a limited-edition collection. In an intimate conversation, Loreen shared her personal approach to inner power and authenticity, and how BIOEFFECT products support her wellness routine.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bioeffect
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/BIOEFFECT
• Facebookfacebook.com/BIOEFFECT
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bioeffect
• Instagraminstagram.com/bioeffect
• TikToktiktok.com/@bioeffect
• Pinterestpinterest.com/bioeffect

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BIOEFFECT