Angusti™ lupin oil clears independent safety testing, opening path to premium skincare market
Wide Open Agriculture (ASX: WOA) has confirmed that its Angusti™ lupin oil is hypoallergenic and non-irritating, following independent Human Repeat Insult Patch Testing. The safety result complements earlier independent data showing measurable skin hydration benefits, meaning both the oil’s safety and its performance are now independently validated.
Taken together, the two studies remove key adoption barriers for cosmetic formulators, positioning the oil as a new revenue stream within WOA’s whole-of-seed strategy. The company has flagged a sizeable opportunity, with the global cosmetic oils market estimated at over US$100 billion by 2034.
WOA has also confirmed that trial sales have been secured, with several prospective customers currently evaluating samples.
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Two independent studies confirm skin safety and performance
The first study assessed safety. WOA partnered with the Korean Institute of Dermatological Sciences to conduct a Human Repeat Insult Patch Test (HRIPT), widely regarded as the most rigorous and credible industry-recognised test for assessing whether a cosmetic ingredient causes irritation or sensitisation.
The results were positive. Angusti™ lupin oil was non-irritating across every participant, showed no evidence of allergic contact dermatitis, and is suitable for use in hypoallergenic formulations. The study ran over three weeks across 55 participants, with the oil formulated at 20% concentration into jojoba oil, a plant-derived carrier base commonly used in skincare.
The second study assessed performance. In an earlier two-week corneometer study, 100% Angusti™ lupin oil delivered a 26% increase in skin hydration, rising to a 34% improvement when incorporated into a cream formulation at a 5% concentration.
| Study | Test Type | Duration / Sample | Key Result | Application Relevance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safety | HRIPT | 3 weeks / 55 participants | Non-irritating across all participants; no allergic contact dermatitis | Suitable for hypoallergenic formulations |
| Performance | Corneometer | 2 weeks | 26% hydration increase (100% oil); 34% in cream at 5% | Skin barrier repair and hydration |
CEO Commentary
“Independent testing of our Angusti™ Lupin Oil confirms skin safety to our potential customers, and it’s backed by hydration performance data that shows our product demonstrates measurable skin hydration performance. It confirms that lupin oil can compete as a premium cosmetic ingredient validated against recognised industry standards, and it lets formulators move from interest to development.
It’s another important milestones towards achieving WOA’s whole-of-seed strategy where by capturing value from lupin oil as well as protein, we plan to build additional revenue per tonne of seed processed and a more diversified product offering to potential customers” said Craig Swan, Chief Executive Officer.
Understanding cosmetic oils and why validation matters
A cosmetic or botanical oil is a plant-derived ingredient blended into products such as moisturisers, serums and body butters to deliver functional benefits like hydration. The independent test results remove key barriers to cosmetic formulators before committing to a new cosmetic ingredient.
The HRIPT is central to this process. It repeatedly applies an ingredient to the skin over several weeks to check whether it triggers irritation or an allergic reaction. A clean result underpins hypoallergenic and non-irritating claims, giving brand owners confidence to design premium, clean-label products.
For investors, the significance is practical. Validated safety and performance data shortens the path from customer interest to development, supporting WOA’s whole-of-seed strategy of capturing value across multiple products from each lupin seed.
Applications and the market opportunity
Angusti™ Pure Lupin Oil offers a balanced ratio of linoleic and oleic acids, high phytosterol content and significant levels of beta-sitosterol, delivering multifunctional benefits including skin barrier repair and hydration. Produced from Australian-grown lupins, it sits within the broader shift towards botanical, sustainable, traceable and upcycled ingredients in cosmetics and personal care.
The oil is targeted at formulators and brand owners developing:
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Premium moisturisers
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Facial oils and serums
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Body butters
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Clean-label skincare products
These are sizeable and growing markets. The global cosmetic oils market is estimated to be worth over US$100 billion by 2034, according to a Market.us report from February 2025, driven by rising consumer demand for natural, plant-derived and sustainably sourced ingredients.
What’s next: building oil into a revenue stream
With testing complete, Angusti™ is now available for commercial evaluation by customers. WOA has already secured trial sales and is working with partners across the cosmetics and personal care sector, several of whom are currently formulating with the oil and assessing it for their own product ranges. The company will continue providing samples and technical data to prospective customers.
The strategic significance sits in the economics. The oil is one of three product streams WOA aims to generate from each lupin seed, alongside protein and fibre. Building a market for the oil is intended to improve the value extracted from every tonne of seed processed and to diversify the product offering.
This links to the contract manufacturing model outlined in the company’s strategic update released to the ASX on 2 July 2026. For investors, the milestone opens a potential new revenue stream, though no revenue figures or committed sales volumes beyond trial sales have been disclosed at this stage.
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