Lubrizol’s Barcelona site is a global beauty R&D hub with advanced in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo testing capabilities that support science-based ingredient claims.
The team has completed more than 125 face, body, scalp, and hair studies in 10 years and uses AI and computer vision to enhance study analysis and parameter assessment.
Recent investments in fermentation capacity, Green Chemistry peptide development, and PFAS-free transitions strengthen Barcelona’s role in sustainable beauty innovation.

Barcelona is home to some of Lubrizol’s most advanced beauty research & development spaces, serving as a key center for developing next-generation active ingredients for global beauty and personal care markets. The site’s long-established clinical testing expertise has shaped global best-practice standards — influencing the design of new facilities such as the Beauty Research Institutes in Shanghai and Sao Paolo, which follow the proven Barcelona model.

Lubrizol’s beauty research capabilities in Barcelona are enabled by a multidisciplinary team and state-of-the-art in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo testing infrastructure. The in vivo lab contributes to a global network that includes teams in Spain, China, and Brazil, leveraging a database of 1,750+ volunteers and over 125 face, body, scalp, and hair studies conducted in the last 10 years. These facilities employ advanced skin and hair assessment technologies — including 2D/3D imaging for skin color, morphology, moisturization, firmness, and scalp parameters — enabling more robust, science-driven claims for customers.

Barcelona also represents a long-standing legacy of innovation, having established Lubrizol’s first in‑house in vivo testing lab in 2016 and significantly expanding in 2018 to support a growing volunteer base and accelerated claims development.

In 2022, the team began applying Artificial Intelligence and computer vision to analyze study data — a step that enhances precision and increases parameter assessment.

Building on this strong innovation foundation, Lubrizol is further advancing sustainable beauty from its Barcelona site through the recently announced expansion of fermentation capacity and the application of Green Chemistry principles in peptide development. These investments enable the creation of next-generation beauty ingredients with increased renewable content, streamlined raw material use, and a reduced environmental footprint.

As a leader in peptide technology, Lubrizol is also proactively responding to evolving regulatory and market expectations around PFAS. The company has already converted its iconic peptide grades to PFAS-free versions and is on track to transition the majority of its peptide portfolio by year-end. Together, these advances reinforce Barcelona’s pivotal role in accelerating environmentally responsible ingredient innovation, reducing time to market, and delivering solutions that meet the beauty industry’s rapidly rising sustainability standards.

Advancing Sustainable Beauty Innovation Through R&D, AI and Green Chemistry