Jala, cosmetic company of astronauts, sets it sights higher

Shanghai-based Jala Group will strive to make more indigenous innovation in skincare and cosmetics technologies, as its products reach the space as part of the skincare regimen for a female astronaut in China’s latest space mission on Saturday.

Astronauts onboard the Shenzhou-XIII spaceship have entered the country's space station core module Tianhe to start a six-month journey, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

But the special environment of the space, such as gravity and radiation, pose challenges to skin, causing dryness, lack of elasticity and wrinkles.

It will increase the likelihood of skin aging and allergy, said Qiu Yue, who is responsible for research and development at Jala.

Therefore, Maysu, a brand under Jala, has devised a line of products dubbed "Plum Blossom". The formula features extracts from the plum flower embryo of the Yellow Mountain. This dedicated recipe helps tackle fatigue and looseness and hydrate the skin, Qiu said.

The company has also customized lighter and easier-to-use packaging for Wang, the female astronaut, to apply during the half-year space journey.

The company began a research project titled "Space Lab" back in 2013, when it created formula out of ingredients taken from the space. Since then, the company has been providing skincare products for male astronauts in several space missions.

Founded in 2001 in Shanghai, Jala operates brands like Chando, Maysu and Botanical Wisdom. It has filed for 191 patents for invention and 149 authorized patents.