Tom Branna • Chief Content Officer

Anne Young is currently the technical business development manager at Croda Beauty. She is responsible for identifying and driving strategic growth opportunities for Beauty Actives, leading customer engagement across North America, and translating technical insights into impactful commercial strategies. Young has a wide range of experience in the beauty and personal care industry, with expertise in product development, technical sales, and global business development. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from New York University, where she focused on peptide research. Young has held strategic roles at BioCogent, BASF, Expanscience Laboratoires, L’Oréal and J&J driving innovation and commercial growth across diverse markets. 

Happi recently caught up with Young to learn more about Croda Beauty’s SphingoCare and Dermaxyl technologies.

Happi: What advantages do peptides offer in modern skincare that make them indispensable for formulators?
Young: Peptides act as high-precision active ingredient in skin biology. They are capable of signaling the skin to produce more collagen, elastin or other structural proteins. They also help calm inflammation, modulate pigmentation or hydrate. Because of their relatively small molecular size, stability and targeted action, they enable formulators to deliver measurable results. At Croda Beauty, our peptide portfolio is designed with rigorous in-vitro and in-vivo testing, ensuring potency, safety and compatibility with a wide array of formulation bases.

Happi: In what ways can peptides and ceramides be combined in formulations for synergistic effects?
Young: Peptides can provide signaling cues to the skin for repair, rejuvenation and renewal (for example boosting collagen, improving elasticity or modulating pigmentation). Ceramides, such as those in our SphingoCare™ range, play the structural role: they act in the lipid matrix of the stratum corneum to restore barrier integrity, reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL), fortify skin resilience and protect against environmental insults. When paired properly, a formulation can both repair (peptide-driven) and protect / lock in moisture (ceramide-driven), which often yields better long-term results and improves consumer perception of skin health. At Croda Beauty, we have Dermaxyl™ a patented combination of a peptide and Ceramide NG that can provide clinically proven efficacy to decrease the appearance of wrinkles in a liquid foundation.

Happi: What makes the SphingoCare™ ceramide range distinct in terms of formulation flexibility and performance?
Young: SphingoCare™ is more than a single ceramide—it’s a versatile portfolio designed to meet diverse formulation needs, from skincare and haircare to suncare. Each variant is optimized for compatibility across systems, ranging from water-dispersible to oil-soluble formats. They are engineered for easy incorporation at lower temperatures than traditional ceramides, with enhanced bioavailability and stability. Proven efficacy includes improved moisture retention, stronger barrier repair and reduced irritation. For formulators, SphingoCare™ offers dependable performance and functional benefits without the need for extensive reformulation.

Happi: How does Croda Beauty support formulators and brands in adopting peptides and ceramides in innovative applications?
Young: Beyond supplying efficacious raw materials, Croda Beauty offers educational tools, application guidance, and formulation support. We have a strong team of experts and data to help brands understand not only what’s possible, but what works in practice. Our Masterclass webinar, How Peptides are Shaping Cosmetics (now available on demand) discusses trends, consumer data and the peptides to match it.

Happi: What consumer demands are shaping how you develop both peptides and ceramides going forward?
Young: Consumers want visible results, but they also want: transparency (source, testing, claims), sustainable/bio-based/biotech inputs, gentle yet effective ingredients, and multi-functional products. They are also more aware of barrier health (skin barrier), microbiome impact, and environmental exposure. To respond, Croda Beauty ensures its peptide and ceramide lines are aligned with these expectations: from sustainably sourced precursors, minimized waste, and validated mildness, to products that can deliver multiple benefits (e.g. anti-aging + barrier + hydration), and validated mildness, to products that can deliver multiple benefits (e.g. anti-aging + barrier + hydration).