To address the gaps in skincare research
We created change
By launching the world’s first-ever Skin Tone Research Lab.
Pioneering a new skincare era
How We Revolutionised Skin Tone Research
After an incubation with the LVMH Research Center and the French Cosmetic Valley, we decided to search for a manufacturer that could create our products without compromise. This proved to be impossible at first, but we soon realised what set us apart from other brands in the beauty space. We created our own lab space and manufacturing unit to fully invest our time and effort into the research and production process.
Our Skin Tone Lab is used for
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Groundbreaking skin research
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Testing and manufactuuring
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Innovating
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Customisation & Implementing feedback from our 4.5.6 community
Science backed skincare is our speciality. And we are 100% uncompromising.
OUR FOUNDERS
Creating change through science
As experts on melanin-rich skin, we are combining our love of science and nature to ensure everyone feels seen, heard and represented.
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Noelly Michoux
FOUNDER AND CEO
Born in Cameroon and raised in Normandy, France, Noelly, a former beauty e-commerce director, experienced the skincare struggle firsthand while moving across Europe and the USA.
Fueled by passion and empathy, she partnered with top scientists to create effective and safe clinical skincare developed from the ground up for darker skin while promoting research equity for all skin types. Noelly believes beauty starts with knowing yourself!
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Dr Carlos A. Charles MD
CO-FOUNDER & CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
Dr. Carlos Charles, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist, clinical instructor at Weill Medical College, and Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. He founded Derma di Colore in 2012, a dermatology practice specializing in treating dermatologic problems in all skin types, with a focus on darker skin tones. Derma di Colore also conducts national clinical research studies to address challenging dermatologic issues in pigmented skin.
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Imen Jerbi Phd
CO-FOUNDER AND Chief Scientist
Imen, 'the skin healer,' is a Doctor of Pharmacy, with 15 years of experience in skin research, formulating skincare, haircare, and nutraceuticals for darker skin tones. With a health-centric approach and expertise in ethnobotany, she is dedicated to inclusive and healthy skin solutions. Imen's unwavering commitment to skin health prioritises natural remedies and a belief in achieving results without compromising skin or overall health.
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The True State Of Inclusivity
Our Skincare Philosophy
Your Skin, New Rules
There’s so much more to skin than lightness or darkness. A limited understanding of how to care for skin can lead to many misconceptions. We want to challenge these notions and foster a new era of understanding.
The Science of Skin Tone
Our groundbreaking research explores ALL aspects of how skin tone impacts skincare, including genetics, metabolism, physiology and psychology.
We understand and respect the unique structure of darker skin as well as its functions, microbiome and pH levels. Our goal is to develop skincare solutions to help you achieve the skin you’ve always wanted.
Ethnobotany & Modern Science
We know concepts are great but a large part of skincare is the science behind the ingredients that are used. At 456, we combine botanicals from diverse cultures and the ever-evolving advancements in science-based skincare.
Our formulations combine carefully selected plant-based clean ingredients, extracts, and traditional remedies with a meticulous pharmaceutical process.
Balancing Act
When it comes to efficacy, we believe less is more. High ingredient concentrations aren’t always formulated with skin health in mind
With our gentle yet powerful formulations, we find the balance between efficacy and skin health without compromising the skin’s integrity.
No compromise
We refuse to compromise, so we only use pure, useful to skin ingredients in our products.
We also challenge the norm and we aren’t afraid to reject skincare trends that don’t live up to the hype and we won’t use any ingredient until it's proven to be safe on skin.
Our commitment to groundbreaking research never ends and we update our formulas as needed.
our core principles
The 4.5.6 Method
With thousands of hours of research and testing, our core principles are at the heart of everything we do
Our Vitalised Water
Up to 70% of water can be found in water-based products, making it a main ingredient.
Our Vitalised water works with darker skin, rather than against it
It energetically charges skin cell metabolism, treating dullness, dehydration and improving skin barrier function
It improves ingredient efficacy by allowing deeper penetration into the skin
Renowned for its transformative properties on darker skin.
The Master Complex
Perfectly balanced for efficacy, the 4.5.6 Master Complex is a combination of actives that include:
Ingredients that build up the natural skin antioxidant capital and reduce oxidative stress
Mild non-ionic and natural derived emulsifiers
Non aggressive exfoliators with anti-inflammatories
Melanin inhibitors and pigmentation rebalancing actives
Therapeutic oils and botanical extracts rich in anti-inflammatories and essential nutrients
Microbiota preserving actives
Vitamin D like actives to increase the skin's immune system
Up to 70% of water can be found in water-based products, making it a main ingredient.
Our Vitalised water works with darker skin, rather than against it
It energetically charges skin cell metabolism, treating dullness, dehydration and improving skin barrier function
It improves ingredient efficacy by allowing deeper penetration into the skin
Renowned for its transformative properties on darker skin.
Perfectly balanced for efficacy, the 4.5.6 Master Complex is a combination of actives that include:
Ingredients that build up the natural skin antioxidant capital and reduce oxidative stress
Mild non-ionic and natural derived emulsifiers
Non aggressive exfoliators with anti-inflammatories
Melanin inhibitors and pigmentation rebalancing actives
Therapeutic oils and botanical extracts rich in anti-inflammatories and essential nutrients
Microbiota preserving actives
Vitamin D like actives to increase the skin's immune system
key benefits
Safely treats hyperpigmentation
Regulates sebum production
Revitalises and nourishes skin
Strengthens and repairs the skin barrier
Our Ingredients
Carefully curated to get the best from your skin while supporting your bottom line
Clean
Biocompatible
Vegan
Sustainably source
Cruelty Free
Smart Concentrations
Up to 90% natural
10% Lab Made
Irritation Free
No Endocrines Disruptors
Plastics Free
Silicones Free
Clean Fragrance Flexible
Halal standards
See our ingredients Glossary
Sustainability
Minimising Our Impact
Our products are
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Compliant with clean beauty standards like Good Face- We avoid extra packaging.
They are formulated without ingredients that are harmful to human health or the environment
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We are focused on transparency and ethical practices that incorporate the latest science relating to skin ingredients.
Our products contain natural and synthetic ingredients which are proven to be safe in accordance with health and safety standards and across international regulatory principles around the world.
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We reduce pollution by using green chemistry principle.
We do an automatic ban of hazardous chemicals and even suspected ones.
We boost innovation for safe and sustainable natural biodegradable ingredients.
We apply sustainability in our products full life cycle.