Amyris and Naomi Watts launch (peri)menopausal wellness brand and institute for healthy aging

06 Oct 2022 --- Amyris and actress-entrepreneur-activist Naomi Watts are launching the Stripes brand for (peri)menopausal wellness. The company is also unveiling Meno Institute to fill the void in research around women who are experiencing (peri)menopause. These launches will initiate in October – the World Menopause month.

The company is driven by the aim to reshape conceptions of aging – “from anti-aging to healthy aging.”

Deb Millard, president of healthy aging at Amyris, delves into the evolution of healthy aging and discusses why menopause is a cause for celebration. 

“Women spend half their life in menopause, yet the beauty, wellness and even medical industries have largely ignored it, resulting in millions of women suffering in silence. We spend so much time, energy and money on ‘anti-aging,’ and it is not serving us,” she flags.

Care meets nutrition
Backed by science and research, Stripes offers a holistic approach to (peri)menopause, designed to ease and support women during a time of hormonal transitions.

The brand offers a lineup of facial skincare, sexual wellness, haircare and supplements. Deb Millard, president of healthy aging at Amyris. 

“Stripes enable women to manage physical and emotional changes with products designed to tackle targeted symptom relief. Stripes also aims to inspire conversations and confidence around healthy aging by encouraging real talk, education and solutions,” adds Millard.

“What does healthy aging mean? It’s about maintaining and improving physical and mental health, independence and quality of life while accessing the resources needed to understand our bodies and prepare for the coming changes.” 

Menopause is often related to hot flashes and mood swings. However, the hormonal transition is usually not discussed – namely, how it affects heart health, the density of bones, body shape and mental health.

Healthcare, consumer and research
Traditionally, menopause conjures anxiety, fear and shame among women. Moreover, Millard says that a fear of aging does “incalculable damage” to self-confidence and brings feelings of invisibility among peers and health care providers.

“According to a 2018 article in AARP, most medical schools and residency programs don’t teach aspiring physicians about menopause – only 20% of OB-GYN residency programs provide any menopause training. Nearly 80% of medical residents said they feel ‘barely comfortable’ discussing or treating (peri)menopause,” she continues.

“Recent studies show that Gen-X women (ages 39 to 54) and 53% of Boomer women (ages 55 to 73) disagreed with the statement, ‘the beauty and personal grooming product industry creates products with people my age in mind.’” 

Moreover, the findings of recent study by the North American Menopause Society upends all previous research around hormone replacement therapy – known as the gold standard for treating menopause-related symptoms and protecting cardiovascular health to fight against osteoporosis (bone weakening disease).

Calls for change
Millard questions why aging is viewed as something that starts when a gray hair or laugh line appears when it begins the day we are born.

“Women can and should be thriving in the second half of our lives, and we will do everything we can to support them with science-backed products they can feel good about putting on and in their bodies.” Amyris is driven by the aim to reshape conceptions of aging – “from anti-aging to healthy aging.” 

Daily, Millard hears stories from women about how they are not heard and how society does not recognize their feelings and concerns. She calls for a change of perspectives and actions from society, employers, healthcare, friends and family.

Reflecting on the industry
In May, Women’s wellness brand O Positiv launched Meno, a supplement to support women experiencing the effects of menopause to combat common symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings.

Also, a study investigated the potential of cannabidiol on estrogen deficiency. The results showed improvements in several health areas, such as gut and bone health, and a lower rate of inflammation compared to the placebo group.

A genus of macroalgae could potentially prevent and improve skin aging while also offering anti-inflammatory properties, found the National Research Foundation of Korea, which could see the Sargassum spp. extract used in the healthy aging space for its nutraceutical properties.

Previously, NutritionInsight spoke to Gencor’s global innovation manager, Mariko Hill, on the shift from anti-aging to aging and how the industry responds to these developments.

Edited by Venya Patel