Key Takeaways:
If health is wealth, skin health is proving to be a valuable investment for Swiss biotech company Timeline. As the beauty industry pushes deeper into the intersections of longevity science and biotechnology, Timeline is upgrading its line of skincare products to better meet the needs of its consumers. On September 8, the company relaunched its skincare line with new products, updated packaging, and a sharpened global strategy.
The relaunch introduces six products: the new Gentle Cleanser and Resurfacing Exfoliator, alongside Timeline’s existing Firming Serum, Dewy Cream, Barrier Cream, and Eye Cream. All products are powered by Timeline’s patented longevity ingredient, Mitopure, a clinically backed form of Urolithin A, which is proven to optimize skin health at the cellular level.
Founded in 2007 as a spinoff of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) under the umbrella of biotech firm Amazentis, the company has spent over 15 years studying cellular aging. Its co-founders, biomedical engineer Chris Rinsch and neuroscientist Patrick Aebischer, sought to apply pharmaceutical-grade rigor to natural products, developing functional foods and skincare solutions that act on the pathways driving aging.
“Originally we were focused on nutrition, but when we started looking at skin cells, we saw an equally impressive effect,” Rinsch told BeautyMatter. “It was clear Mitopure could be just as transformative topically as it was internally.”
In 2023, the brand launched Timeline Skin Health, beginning with three products: The Day Cream, The Night Cream, and The Serum. While the initial skincare collection received positive reviews, Timeline saw opportunities to refine the line.
“The changes were made to optimize performance in a few areas, but also to ready the brand for global expansion,” explained Jaimee Holmes, Chief Brand Officer for Skincare at Timeline, who joined from goop in 2023. “Sometimes that requires a couple of tweaks and adjustments, especially when it comes to packaging and sustainability.”
The 2025 relaunch fills in key gaps in the product lineup with the additions of a cleanser and exfoliator. “We realized that having only treatment products and moisturizers wasn’t enough for a complete routine,” said Holmes. “Consumers wanted more: a nourishing cleanser to prep the skin and a gentle yet powerful exfoliator to enhance absorption of Mitopure were natural next steps.”
Both Holmes and Rinsch said that the formulations haven’t dramatically changed, but they have been fine-tuned for global compliance and broader market appeal. Each formula contains around 1% Mitopure and is supported by niacinamide and trehalose. Together, these form the brand’s Mito-Biotic technology, which the brand claims targets cellular energy to improve skin vitality, hydration, and reduce the signs of aging.
Timeline has maintained its commitment to science in all phases of product development. At the heart of the brand is Urolithin A, which is a postbiotic derived from ellagitannins found in pomegranates and walnuts. While the fruit itself is often hailed as an antioxidant powerhouse, only 30-40% of people are naturally able to convert ellagitannins into Urolithin A, and at suboptimal levels. To achieve the clinically beneficial dose of 500 milligrams daily, consumers would need to drink five glasses of pomegranate juice every day.
The Timeline team spent 15 years researching the molecules of the pomegranate, fractioning out the fruit’s compounds and testing them both individually and together throughout over 500 studies and 11 human clinical trials involving more than 900 participants. The result was Mitopure, now protected under 56 patents. Mitopure supports mitophagy, the cellular process that recycles damaged mitochondria and restores them with healthier, more efficient ones, effectively recharging the body’s “cellular batteries.”
“For all of our products, we conduct clinical trials to validate efficacy,” said Rinsch. “With the new cleanser and exfoliator, we ran studies that showed standout results, not only in texture and experience but also in clinically measured improvements.”
The new Resurfacing Exfoliator is a standout, according to Holmes. It blends plant-based salicylic, mandelic, and lactic acids with Mitopure to refine texture while remaining safe and gentle enough for everyday use. “It’s potent but gentle enough for daily use. People see a dramatic difference in skin texture after a single use,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Firming Serum remains the brand’s hero product. Marketed as a “flash-absorbing serum,” it delivers an immediate plumping and firming effect while hydrating deeply. “It’s our number one bestseller and a universal favorite,” Holmes added.
At the heart of the relaunch is a new focus on sustainability. Timeline is phasing in glass, aluminum, and post-consumer recycled plastics (only when necessary), and introducing more refillable options across both the skincare and supplements lines. The packaging has also been redesigned with functional upgrades, including pressed pumps for hygienic, precise applications. The packaging is fully recyclable, aligning the luxury experience with sustainability values.
“We’re making sustainability more central to the consumer experience,” said Holmes. “It’s not only about what’s inside the jar but also how the product feels, looks, and fits into someone’s daily routine.”
Timeline currently sells direct-to-consumer (DTC) through its website and Amazon, with plans to expand internationally.
“We are actively building toward expanding into new markets in Europe, and ultimately Asia,” stated Holmes. “We’ll start with DTC, then e-tailer partnerships in 2026, and retail will follow in the second half of that year."
Timeline’s consumers skew toward educated, health-conscious early adopters, including biohackers, wellness enthusiasts, and longevity seekers. While the nutrition business has a more balanced gender split, the skincare line leans female. Geographically, the brand has strongholds on the coasts and in metropolitan hubs, but is experiencing growth in emerging US markets, such as the Midwest.
Holmes emphasized inclusivity across age groups. “Our goal is to optimize skin health at every age and stage of life. For someone in their 30s, that may mean preventative care. For someone in their 50s, it may mean restorative care. The beauty of Mitopure is that it adapts to the needs of the consumer.”
Timeline’s evolution is backed by serious investment. In January 2024, the company raised a $66 million Series D financing round, led by Nestlé and L’Oréal. The brand’s luxury pricing reflects its extensive research and development costs, with the Firming Serum at $225 and creams priced at $200. The most affordable product is the cleanser, costing $55.
Looking ahead, Timeline is focused on scaling while maintaining its scientific credibility. With ongoing clinical trials, a growing IP portfolio, and applications beyond skincare, the company is positioning itself as a longevity platform rather than just another skincare brand.
“I think there will be longevity in longevity,” said Rinsch. “We’re at the very beginning of understanding how to intervene in the aging process. Consumers want to live fuller lives for longer, and our science shows we can actually improve cellular health. That’s not hype—it’s here to stay.”
Holmes echoed the sentiment. “Our goal is to positively impact lives. Whether through nutrition or skincare, we want our products to help people feel more energized, more confident, maybe even a little more beautiful. That’s success for us.”
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