What Labskin does

Labskin Limited is a UK-based private biotechnology company headquartered at the York Biotech Campus that develops and commercializes lab-grown full-thickness human skin equivalent models (3D in vitro constructs) incorporating differentiated dermal and epidermal components from human keratinocyte and fibroblast cells. The company's core technology is positioned as the only commercially available full-thickness human skin model that can naturally support colonization by complex skin microbiomes — bacteria, yeast, fungi, and viruses — on a thick, dry stratum corneum. Its product portfolio includes Labskin-S (sold as Labskin1.1 in 12-well format and Labskin4.5 in 6-well format), Labskin-M (a melanocyte-containing variant developed via a KTP with the University of Bradford), and LabSkin-AD (an atopic dermatitis disease model), with additional disease-specific models in development for melanoma, eczema, and psoriasis.

The company operates a dual business model. First, it sells contract research services directly to enterprise clients, providing preclinical and bespoke testing such as antimicrobial profiling, cytotoxicity testing under OECD TG439, microflora protection testing, tampon safety testing, drug delivery testing, wound healing tests, and histology services (FFPE, H&E, IHC, IF). Second, it sells Labskin-S plates directly to clients — including academic institutions at a 20% discount — for in-house testing. A Microbiome Friendly+ Seal of Approval certification program is offered free of charge to products passing validation, serving as a marketing asset for approved brands on packaging, eCommerce, and websites. Labskin serves cosmetics, skincare, pharmaceutical, healthcare/medical device, personal care, wound care, and academic research customers across global markets (UK, Ireland, USA, Japan), with recent infrastructure expansion including a new 11,320 sq ft facility at Thorp Arch Estate and a doubling of headcount from 5 to 10 employees.

Name

Labskin

Legal name

Labskin Limited

Website

https://labskin.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Labskin Limited is a York, UK-based biotech company that develops and sells the only commercially available lab-grown full-thickness human skin model supporting natural microbiome colonization, serving cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and personal care clients via contract research services and direct plate product sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

In Vitro Skin Testing Services

NAICS

Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (62151), Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (6215)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty & Biomarker Laboratory Services (Immunoassays/Flow/Cytometry) (HLAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dermocosmetics & Medical-Grade Skincare (CRABAAAF), Dermatology Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAL), Dermatology OTC & Skin Health (Acne Treatments, Eczema/Psoriasis OTC, Antifungals, Wart Removal) (CRADAMAF)

Keywords

• In vitro skin testing
• Human skin equivalents
• Skin microbiome research
• Preclinical contract research
• Cosmetics safety testing

Headquarters

HQ city

York

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Contract research services: Preclinical and bespoke testing services carried out by expert scientists in state-of-the-art labs. Services include antimicrobial profiling, cytotoxicity testing, microflora protection testing, tampon safety testing, skin irritation tests, drug delivery testing, wound healing tests, and more. Projects scoped and managed for clients with final reports delivered.
2. Labskin-S plate sales: Sale of Labskin-S full-thickness human skin equivalent plates for clients to conduct their own testing. Available in 6-well plates (4.5cm2) and 12-well plates (1.1cm2). Includes culture plates, media, and instructions. Academic institutions receive 20% discount.
3. Microbiome Friendly certification: Certification service validating that products have no negative impact on skin microbiome. Products passing rigorous testing receive seal of approval for use in marketing (packaging, eCommerce, website). Service provided free of charge for products that pass testing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Labskin develops and supplies commercially available full-thickness lab-grown human skin equivalent models (Labskin-S, Labskin-M, LabSkin-AD) and provides preclinical contract research services for cosmetics, skincare, pharmaceutical, healthcare, and personal care companies. Services include antimicrobial profiling, cytotoxicity testing per OECD TG439, microflora protection testing, tampon safety testing, skin irritation, drug delivery, wound healing, and histology, along with a Microbiome Friendly+ product certification.

Product overview

Labskin offers a portfolio of commercially available lab-grown full-thickness human skin equivalent (3D in vitro) models, primarily sold as the Labskin-S core product in two plate formats (Labskin1.1 at 1.1 cm² and Labskin4.5 at 4.5 cm²). The portfolio extends to specialised variants including Labskin-M (with melanocytes for pigmented/ethnic skin research) and LabSkin-AD (for atopic dermatitis/eczema modelling). All models support colonisation with skin microflora, making them unique in the market. The offering is complemented by a validated testing platform providing contract research services (microbiology testing, cytotoxicity per OECD TG439, tampon safety, histology, and IHC), and a Microbiome Friendly+ Seal of Approval certification service for brands. Both Labskin1.1 and Labskin4.5 are available as standalone plate products for clients' own testing or as part of full-service contract research programmes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Labskin-S A commercially available full-thickness human skin equivalent (3D in vitro model) incorporating fully differentiated dermal and epidermal components, supplied in 6-well (4.5 cm²) and 12-well (1.1 cm²) plate formats. Designed for testing cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and chemical products, with the ability to be colonised with microorganisms for extended testing periods. Ships at ambient temperature and remains viable for up to 2 weeks after receipt. Available to academic institutions at a 20% discount.
• Labskin-M A full-thickness human skin equivalent containing melanocytes in both dermis and epidermis, enabling study of skin of different ethnicities with corresponding microbiome profiles for personalised skin research in skincare, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical sectors. Supports growth of the skin microbiome on its surface.
• LabSkin-AD A physiologically relevant human in vitro model of atopic dermatitis that replicates key structural, inflammatory, and microbiome features of the disease, enabling robust therapeutic testing and mechanistic insight into eczema-related skin conditions.
• Labskin Test Platform A validated testing platform built around the Labskin full-thickness human skin model that supports testing of skin care, cosmetics, healthcare, drug delivery, and wound care products. Includes automation and real-time data collection for monitoring skin microflora impact, skin irritation, transdermal delivery, immune response, anti-fungal treatment, protective barrier, and wound healing across test endpoints.
• Microbiology Services Comprehensive suite of microbiology testing services including antimicrobial profiling of ingredients, prototypes, and formulations; investigation of pro- and prebiotic effects on natural microflora; residual antimicrobial activity after product application; quantitative microbiology of the skin; skin microbiology consultancy; cytotoxicity testing following OECD TG439 guidelines; and tampon safety testing including estimation of TSST-1 toxin.
• Histology Services In-house expert histology services spanning academia, healthcare, and pharmaceutical industry, including tissue processing, FFPE sectioning, H&E staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF), assay optimisation and development, and consultation, with 22 skin-targeted optimised protocols and antibodies and customised assay development available.
• Microbiome Friendly+ Seal of Approval A product certification service that validates and confirms a product has no negative impact on the skin microbiome. The seal certifies that tested formulations leave levels and composition of the microbiome intact and maintain the skin flora's natural balance, and is available to approved brands for use in marketing, packaging, eCommerce, and website.

Quantifiable outcome

• Thousands of industry tests conducted for global brands
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• AtelerixcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 December 2025Partnership to enable reliable long-distance transport of advanced in vitro skin models using Atelerix's non-cryogenic hydrogel technology. This innovation maintains structural integrity and biological viability of 3D skin constructs well beyond the traditional 72-96 hour window, allowing for global distribution without compromising quality. Reduces risks associated with customs delays and cold-chain logistics, expanding global access to Labskin's full-thickness human skin models.
• University of Bradford Centre of Skin SciencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSuccessful KTP (Knowledge Transfer Partnership) collaboration to develop Labskin-M, the first commercially available human skin equivalent with melanocytes in dermis and epidermis. Enables study of skin of different ethnicities with corresponding microbiome profiles for personalized skin research in skincare, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical sectors.
• indumajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for demographic-specific microbiome testing for teenage skincare development. Combines innovative in vitro modelling with clinical insight to help brands better understand and validate how formulations interact with the evolving teenage skin microbiome.
• Liverpool School of Tropical MedicineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on SARS-CoV-2 survival research on skin and transfer from contaminated surfaces. Labskin model used to demonstrate viral transmission research providing reproducible, ethical, and microbiome-ready alternative to human testing.
• UnileverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine on SARS-CoV-2 skin survival study. Labskin model used for infection control and virology research.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• StratiCELL: StratiCELL provides in vitro skin testing services, including skin barrier analysis and dermatological efficacy testing, for cosmetics and pharmaceutical clients. It competes with Labskin's contract research and microbiomics testing service lines.
• MatTek Corporation: MatTek produces EpiDerm and other commercially available reconstructed human epidermis and full-thickness skin models used for cosmetics, pharmaceutical and chemical safety testing. It is the most direct global competitor to Labskin's 3D in vitro skin equivalent business.
• Phenion (Henkel): Phenion, a Henkel brand, develops and commercializes 3D skin models (Phenion FT and Phenion OS) for cosmetics, dermatology and toxicology research. It is a direct peer offering comparable reconstructed full-thickness human skin equivalents.
• EPISKIN (L'Oréal): EPISKIN, part of L'Oréal, produces reconstructed human epidermis models used for in vitro safety and efficacy testing. It is a direct competitor to Labskin in the 3D skin model market, though EPISKIN benefits from captive L'Oréal demand.
• Genoskin: Genoskin offers human skin explant models and testing services for cosmetics, pharmaceutical and chemical industries, including NativeSkin and HypoSkin platforms. It directly competes with Labskin in providing human-relevant skin testing services to global brand customers.

Broad incumbents

• Charles River Laboratories: Charles River is a large CRO offering preclinical safety, dermatology and toxicology testing services globally. It serves as a broad incumbent in the contract research market that Labskin targets with its disease-specific skin models.
• Eurofins Scientific: Eurofins is a global testing services conglomerate offering pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and dermatological safety and efficacy testing. Labskin's own Scientific Director previously worked at Eurofins, and Eurofins represents both a potential enterprise customer and a competitive incumbent in skin testing services.
• Labcorp Drug Development: Labcorp (including its Covance legacy CRO) is a global clinical and preclinical services provider with dermatology and topical drug delivery testing capabilities. It represents a broad incumbent peer and potential scaling partner given Labskin leadership's prior tenure.

Emerging players

• XCellR8: XCellR8 is a UK-based CRO providing animal-free safety and efficacy testing for cosmetics and chemicals. It is an emerging UK-based peer operating in the same animal-test-alternative testing services category as Labskin.
• Bioalternatives: Bioalternatives is a French CRO specializing in in vitro skin and mucosa testing for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and chemicals. It is an emerging specialist peer competing with Labskin's contract research services in Europe.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/labskin-uk
• Xx.com/labskin
• Facebookfacebook.com/LabskinUK

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Labskin