As Natalie Harrison, founder of Kiri10, explained at the 2022 IWTO Round Table, her company and its products emerged from her realisation that the miracle protein keratin could solve two problems simultaneously. On the one hand, it could form the basis of a range of cosmetics that help to keep the skin, hair and nails healthy. On the other hand, by sourcing keratin from the sheep and wool industries, farmers could enjoy a boost in their flagging fortunes, with a new income stream that would help support their farms and animals. International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) explains.
Keratin And Its Benefits
Keratin is used in various forms, such as skincare, haircare and nailcare. “It is derived from the natural fibres of sheep’s wool,” Harrison explains, “which interacts incredibly well with the human body. Bioactive keratin, also derived from sheep’s wool, is 91% homologous. It is made up of the same amino acid molecules and arranged in the same order as human keratin.”
The natural structure of keratin makes it very beneficial for use as a supplement. It strengthens skin, nails and hair. Keratin can help to restore hair follicles from within, helping to combat hair loss. It also restores the outer layer of skin, making it appear more youthful and healthy. Finally, it makes nails tougher and more resilient, making chipping, splitting and ridges far less common.
After discovering the benefits of keratin, Harrison also started to research the wool industry from which it is sourced. She found that the industry had seen a significant decline as a result of the rise in synthetic fibres. Farmers were struggling to make ends meet and were selling their wool at discounted prices. She had found a perfect opportunity both to promote the benefits of keratin and help provide a boost for sheep farmers and the wool industry. And so Kiri10 was born.
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Kiri10 Products
Kiri10 now markets a range of products both for keratin supplementation and external use. The flagship product is KiriGlow, a keratin supplement for healthy skin, hair and nails, and sourced from New Zealand sheep. Other products include shampoos, conditioners and a spray-in treatment for hair growth, as well as sunscreen and nail products.
Find out more about Kiri10 at www.kiri10.com.
Learn All You Need to Know About the International Wool Industry
You can find some extremely interesting and informative videos on the IWTO Youtube page here. For more information on the wool industry around the world, take a look at our fact sheets, statistics and guidelines.
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