Recently, we had an insightful conversation with Dr. Nathan Brown, a scientist who made an “unexpected” shift from academia to the cosmetics industry. Alongside his former colleague, Natalise Kalea Robinson, he co-founded Parallel Health, a company that blends traditional beauty products with unconventional ingredients: nano-microbes that target bacteria. Here’s how they built their startup and where they are today.
From Academia to Beauty Innovation
Dr. Brown, a postdoctoral researcher from Leicester University, UK, spent years sequencing newly isolated bacteriophages (nano-microbes that infect bacteria). Frustrated by the repetitive nature of lab work, he began exploring new ways to apply his research. His goal: to bring real science into the beauty industry.
The cosmetics industry is booming, with skincare leading the charge. Brands increasingly adopt sustainable practices, such as bio-based ingredients and eco-friendly packaging. However, Dr. Brown noticed a gap– while companies invest heavily in packaging and marketing, very few explore the potential of phages in skincare.
Phages, according to him, are “very safe and can solve a lot of health problems – both acute and everyday issues,” but their application in consumer products remains rare. His inspiration came in part from a company that, back in 1999, used phages to prevent food contamination. This company successfully employed phages to combat foodborne pathogens like Listeria and E. coli, demonstrating that phage technology could be commercialized. Seeing this success, Dr. Brown realized the potential for a similar approach in skincare, where phages could target harmful bacteria linked to skin conditions like acne and eczema.
The Parallel Health Approach
Dr. Brown found the cosmetic industry more approachable than big pharma for a few reasons. Unlike drugs, cosmetics don’t require lengthy clinical trials, making it easier to get science-driven products into the hands of consumers. Still, public perception posed a challenge. Many skincare products undergo minimal scientific testing, and the idea of using microbes for skin health requires careful communication.
“Historically, skincare has been more about marketing and less about science,” he says. “But we believe we can create a brand that is just as scientifically grounded as it is beautiful.” Together with Robinson, he envisioned a future where precision skincare is based on microbiome analysis. This led to the creation of Parallel Health, a company developing phage-based skin care solutions tailored to individual skin microbiomes.
Parallel Health set out to sequence the skin microbiome of a diverse population. “We wanted to build the largest skin microbiome database in the world,” Dr. Brown explains. By collecting and analyzing skin samples across multiple ethnicities, they aimed to develop genuinely personalized skincare solutions.
One of their biggest challenges was educating consumers. Many people were unfamiliar with phages and unaware of their effectiveness. However, Parallel Health’s early success stories helped build trust. Dr. Brown recalls one particular customer who had struggled with chronic skin infections. After using Parallel Health’s products and seeing a dramatic improvement, the customer became a loyal customer and investor in the company.
Some Parallel Health Products
Here are some of the products from Parallel Health:
The MD-03 Protocol is a precision-based, personalised treatment protocol for consumers with various skin care needs. This protocol helps in building up a personalised skincare regimen which is backed by science. After this initial protocol with the expert guidance of scientists and doctors, the customers are prescribed their unique skin product.
The Blue biotic multi-effect peptide cream contains SNAP-8 as a key ingredient, along with other powerful peptides and antioxidants. This has shown a reduction in wrinkles, simultaneously improving collagen production, making the skin youthful and flawless.
Holy calming cleanser, as the name suggests, soothes the post-treatment skin, avoiding any rashes or irritation by hydrating and relaxing the skin, leaving it radiant and youthful.
How Parallel Health Delivers Personalised Skincare
Parallel Health has developed a microbiome-based approach to skin care, offering a structured three-step process divided into months: Test, Reset, and Rebalance. The company’s method uses microbiome analysis to provide customised skin care products and medical consultations.
Month 1: Testing the Microbiome
Customers receive a Skin Microbiome Test Kit, which includes swabs for collecting skin samples. These samples are analyzed for bacterial diversity, hydration levels, and overall skin health. Customers can test their face, body, scalp, or body odor.
Month 2: Reviewing Results & Preparing the Skin
Customers receive a detailed Skin Health Report, including microbiome composition and skin age. Parallel Health provides one-on-one consultations and microbiome-supportive products like cleansers and barrier-strengthening creams to prepare the skin for treatment.
Month 3+: Custom Phage Skincare & Ongoing Support
Customers receive a custom-formulated Active Phage Serum based on their microbiome data. Ongoing medical support and discounts on additional products ensure continued skincare optimization.
Dr. Brown proudly states that Parallel Health has “the largest skin microbiome data set in the world.” Despite challenges, including repetitive data analysis and troubleshooting, he believes the company is pioneering a field in a way that is difficult to replicate.
Communicating Science to Consumers
When asked how Parallel Health explains complex science to non-experts, Dr. Brown emphasized the power of simple messaging: “Keep your message clear, put science into layman’s terms, and connect your world to theirs.”
Parallel Health invests heavily in consumer education to make microbiome-based skincare more accessible. Their website features explainer videos, testimonials, and research-backed content to help demystify phage technology. Dr. Brown believes that as long as scientific concepts are translated effectively, customers are eager to embrace innovation.
The Future of Phage-Based Skincare
Parallel Health transforms skincare by combining microbiome testing, custom phage serums, and telehealth support. With a team of clinicians and scientists, they aim to push the boundaries of beauty and precision medicine. Looking ahead, the company is expanding its research into hair loss and body odour.
Currently, their clinical protocols are used to support patients with aging, acne, rosacea, melasma, eczema, hidradenitis suppurativa, and hair loss. Customers can purchase the products internationally through their website, with the goal of delivering personalized solutions within weeks of skin sample sequencing. As science and beauty converge, Parallel Health is proving that skincare is more than just marketing; it’s also about data-driven, personalized care that enhances both skin health and confidence.
Photo Credit: @parallel Health
