If there’s one unstoppable movement in beauty, it’s the shift towards working with skin, not against it. (Think: microbiome-friendly skincare and formulas filled with peptides and ceramides, which help replenish the skin barrier to support healthy skin.) Biomimetic skincare is the latest version of that, harnessing ingredients that mimic the substances naturally found in the skin and body to support and maintain key functions in your skin.
While the term “biomimetic” might be recent, the concept is tried-and-true. Biomimetic ingredients include those that are pretty much staples in skincare, such as ceramides, as well as newcomers like PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide) and NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide). And that’s a big deal, since the levels of these compounds in skin tend to fall with age, sun damage, and skincare habits. Here’s everything to know about biomimetic skincare.
What is biomimetic skincare?
Biomimetic skincare products use ingredients that are biomimetic, meaning that (as the name implies) they mimic compounds naturally found in your skin. The main advantage there is that they seem to be more readily accepted and used by your skin, which can translate to better results—whether you’re looking to support your skin barrier, calm irritation, or smooth wrinkles, or all of the above.
Types of biomimetic ingredients
Biomimetic ingredients aren’t created equal. Just like all the different molecules and compounds in your skin, each one has a unique role. Biomimetic peptides for skin, for instance, are ideal if you’re targeting signs of aging, while a biomimetic face cream packed with ceramides can help if you’re dealing with constant dryness. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of biomimetic ingredients out there:
Structural Mimics
Structural mimics are kind of what they sound like: They mimic compounds that are critical to the structure of your skin, like ceramides and cholesterol. These lipids maintain the integrity of your skin barrier—they basically act like the mortar between the “bricks” of your skin cells, sealing cracks to better trap moisture and keep out irritants and other environmental aggressors.
You can find both ceramides and cholesterol (along with fatty acids) in our Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence. The essence is jam-packed with the probiotics, which are the bacteria that support the microbiome, like Galactomyces ferment filtrate and Bifida. But what really sets it apart is that the ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids are in the formula at the ratio 3:1:1—or 3: ceramides, 1: cholesterol, 1: fatty acids. That’s the same as in the skin barrier, which allows them to work better to balance moisture in the skin and fix any cracks or gaps in the barrier. How much better? In clinical testing, the essence improved moisture levels by 38% and skin barrier function by 21% after two weeks of consistent use.
Ceramides are also the star of our Black Rice 5 Ceramide Barrier Moisturizing Cream. Even the capsules are biomimetic: They’re filled with 1% ceramides (a higher concentration than many moisturizers out there) and designed to have the same structure as your skin, which allows for better absorption, more powerful skin protection, and longer-lasting moisture. Upcycled black rice jigemi extract and fermented black rice, meanwhile, deliver antioxidant protection.
To maximize your barrier support, layer the essence with the biomimetic face cream. Together, they lead to lasting hydration, plumper skin, and a 37% improvement in moisture after just two weeks, according to clinical testing.
Signal Mimics
Signal mimics work by acting as substances that tell your skin cells to do certain things. One example is signal peptides, which can direct your skin to create more collagen. Another more recent signal mimic to hit the shelves? PDRN.
PDRN is everywhere these days—and you might know it as the ingredient derived from salmon sperm DNA. It's beloved for its similar structure to human DNA, and as a signal mimic, it’s thought to encourage tissue repair, stimulate collagen production, and support firmer, supple skin. Instead of salmon sperm, though, we use PDRN extracted from the stem cells of the Damascus rose; it's naturally brimming with antioxidants and amino acids, but gentle enough for reactive skin to use.
When it comes to biomimetic serums, you’ve got two options with rose PDRN. Rose PDRN Soothing Serum pairs it with azelaic acid, which targets redness, breakouts, and hyperpigmentation—making the formula ideal for those with blemish-prone or reactive skin.
(Plus, it's non-sticky and lightweight, so it’s easy to layer with other Haruharu Wonder staples.) It has an impressive payoff, temporarily improving pore area, count, depth, and volume, and visibly improving skin elasticity by 23% after four weeks.
Meanwhile, if you're hoping to boost elasticity and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, you can't go wrong with the Rose PDRN Firming Serum. It pairs our vegan PDRN with five peptides, adenosine, and 0.1% retinal, a cousin to retinol that's said to be more powerful but also gentler. It has a velvety (yet weightless) feel that disappears into skin.
If you want to follow either (or both) with a biomimetic face cream, you’re in luck: Our Centella Phyto & 5 Peptide Concentrate Cream combines five different peptides to address the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. On top of that, it contains a patented Emortal (N) plant peptide; derived from hydrolyzed pea protein, it effectively protects and maintains stem cells, which are in charge of maintaining proper skin function — without them, skin shows signs of aging. The combination is a powerful one. After using it for four weeks in a clinical test, our testers reported a 30% improvement in skin wrinkles and 41% improvement in skin elasticity.
Functional mimics (NAD⁺ and its precursors) - Black Rice NAD+ mist
Functional mimics act as ingredients that help your skin function better—such as NAD+, a coenzyme that helps with cell renewal and DNA repair. The amount of NAD+ in your skin naturally declines as you get older, leading to visible signs of aging like wrinkles, dullness, and fine lines.
So: How to get more NAD+? The Black Rice Probiotics Barrier NAD+ Serum Mist contains a potent 2% NAD+, as well as our 5 Ceramide complex and probiotics, to deeply hydrate skin and boost radiance. That’s a relatively high concentration of NAD+ compared to other formulas on the market. And better yet, the formula is engineered with Ultra Deep Technology, which encapsulates the active ingredients into liposomes, allowing them to actually sink into skin and work their magic rather than sit on the surface.
Unlike a lot of other face mists, which hydrate but don’t do much else, this creamy, ultra-fine spray actually brings together the best of a facial mist and serum. In clinical testing, it improved skin hydration by 32% and skin elasticity by 12% after just two weeks.
The bottom line
Biomimetic skincare might sound like another trend, but it’s anything but: It’s actually rooted in solid science, with the data (and results) to back it up. Not only does it include trusted ingredients like ceramides and peptides, but it also makes the most of newer innovations like PDRN and NAD+. Together, they can effectively work to bring your skin back to the best version of itself—healthy, hydrated, and radiant in the long run.
Why Biomimetic Skincare Belongs in Your Routine
If there’s one unstoppable movement in beauty, it’s the shift towards working with skin, not against it. (Think: microbiome-friendly skincare and formulas filled with peptides and ceramides, which help replenish the skin barrier to support healthy skin.) Biomimetic skincare is the latest version of that, harnessing ingredients that mimic the substances naturally found in the skin and body to support and maintain key functions in your skin.
While the term “biomimetic” might be recent, the concept is tried-and-true. Biomimetic ingredients include those that are pretty much staples in skincare, such as ceramides, as well as newcomers like PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide) and NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide). And that’s a big deal, since the levels of these compounds in skin tend to fall with age, sun damage, and skincare habits. Here’s everything to know about biomimetic skincare.
What is biomimetic skincare?
Biomimetic skincare products use ingredients that are biomimetic, meaning that (as the name implies) they mimic compounds naturally found in your skin. The main advantage there is that they seem to be more readily accepted and used by your skin, which can translate to better results—whether you’re looking to support your skin barrier, calm irritation, or smooth wrinkles, or all of the above.
Types of biomimetic ingredients
Biomimetic ingredients aren’t created equal. Just like all the different molecules and compounds in your skin, each one has a unique role. Biomimetic peptides for skin, for instance, are ideal if you’re targeting signs of aging, while a biomimetic face cream packed with ceramides can help if you’re dealing with constant dryness. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of biomimetic ingredients out there:
Structural Mimics
Structural mimics are kind of what they sound like: They mimic compounds that are critical to the structure of your skin, like ceramides and cholesterol. These lipids maintain the integrity of your skin barrier—they basically act like the mortar between the “bricks” of your skin cells, sealing cracks to better trap moisture and keep out irritants and other environmental aggressors.
You can find both ceramides and cholesterol (along with fatty acids) in our Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence. The essence is jam-packed with the probiotics, which are the bacteria that support the microbiome, like Galactomyces ferment filtrate and Bifida. But what really sets it apart is that the ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids are in the formula at the ratio 3:1:1—or 3: ceramides, 1: cholesterol, 1: fatty acids. That’s the same as in the skin barrier, which allows them to work better to balance moisture in the skin and fix any cracks or gaps in the barrier. How much better? In clinical testing, the essence improved moisture levels by 38% and skin barrier function by 21% after two weeks of consistent use.
Ceramides are also the star of our Black Rice 5 Ceramide Barrier Moisturizing Cream. Even the capsules are biomimetic: They’re filled with 1% ceramides (a higher concentration than many moisturizers out there) and designed to have the same structure as your skin, which allows for better absorption, more powerful skin protection, and longer-lasting moisture. Upcycled black rice jigemi extract and fermented black rice, meanwhile, deliver antioxidant protection.
To maximize your barrier support, layer the essence with the biomimetic face cream. Together, they lead to lasting hydration, plumper skin, and a 37% improvement in moisture after just two weeks, according to clinical testing.
Signal Mimics
Signal mimics work by acting as substances that tell your skin cells to do certain things. One example is signal peptides, which can direct your skin to create more collagen. Another more recent signal mimic to hit the shelves? PDRN.
PDRN is everywhere these days—and you might know it as the ingredient derived from salmon sperm DNA. It's beloved for its similar structure to human DNA, and as a signal mimic, it’s thought to encourage tissue repair, stimulate collagen production, and support firmer, supple skin. Instead of salmon sperm, though, we use PDRN extracted from the stem cells of the Damascus rose; it's naturally brimming with antioxidants and amino acids, but gentle enough for reactive skin to use.
When it comes to biomimetic serums, you’ve got two options with rose PDRN. Rose PDRN Soothing Serum pairs it with azelaic acid, which targets redness, breakouts, and hyperpigmentation—making the formula ideal for those with blemish-prone or reactive skin.
(Plus, it's non-sticky and lightweight, so it’s easy to layer with other Haruharu Wonder staples.) It has an impressive payoff, temporarily improving pore area, count, depth, and volume, and visibly improving skin elasticity by 23% after four weeks.
Meanwhile, if you're hoping to boost elasticity and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, you can't go wrong with the Rose PDRN Firming Serum. It pairs our vegan PDRN with five peptides, adenosine, and 0.1% retinal, a cousin to retinol that's said to be more powerful but also gentler. It has a velvety (yet weightless) feel that disappears into skin.
If you want to follow either (or both) with a biomimetic face cream, you’re in luck: Our Centella Phyto & 5 Peptide Concentrate Cream combines five different peptides to address the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. On top of that, it contains a patented Emortal (N) plant peptide; derived from hydrolyzed pea protein, it effectively protects and maintains stem cells, which are in charge of maintaining proper skin function — without them, skin shows signs of aging. The combination is a powerful one. After using it for four weeks in a clinical test, our testers reported a 30% improvement in skin wrinkles and 41% improvement in skin elasticity.
Functional mimics (NAD⁺ and its precursors) - Black Rice NAD+ mist
Functional mimics act as ingredients that help your skin function better—such as NAD+, a coenzyme that helps with cell renewal and DNA repair. The amount of NAD+ in your skin naturally declines as you get older, leading to visible signs of aging like wrinkles, dullness, and fine lines.
So: How to get more NAD+? The Black Rice Probiotics Barrier NAD+ Serum Mist contains a potent 2% NAD+, as well as our 5 Ceramide complex and probiotics, to deeply hydrate skin and boost radiance. That’s a relatively high concentration of NAD+ compared to other formulas on the market. And better yet, the formula is engineered with Ultra Deep Technology, which encapsulates the active ingredients into liposomes, allowing them to actually sink into skin and work their magic rather than sit on the surface.
Unlike a lot of other face mists, which hydrate but don’t do much else, this creamy, ultra-fine spray actually brings together the best of a facial mist and serum. In clinical testing, it improved skin hydration by 32% and skin elasticity by 12% after just two weeks.
The bottom line
Biomimetic skincare might sound like another trend, but it’s anything but: It’s actually rooted in solid science, with the data (and results) to back it up. Not only does it include trusted ingredients like ceramides and peptides, but it also makes the most of newer innovations like PDRN and NAD+. Together, they can effectively work to bring your skin back to the best version of itself—healthy, hydrated, and radiant in the long run.