🗞️SKINCARE NEWS

🎯 Targeted Treatment: Dr. Muneeb Shah’s REMEDY Launches at Target

REMEDY, the dermatologist-led brand founded by Dr. Muneeb Shah, is debuting nationwide at Target. Here’s a quick summary:

• On December 28, 2025, the dermatologist-founded brand REMEDY officially launched across all Target locations and online🎯

• The brand was created by Dr. Muneeb Shah, a board-certified dermatologist known to over 20 million followers for his evidence-based skincare education📚

• REMEDY aims to disrupt the "Big Beauty" market by replacing confusing, multi-step routines with straightforward, science-backed products that are clinically tested for efficacy🧪

• Each product is designed to target a specific skin concern. The products are vegan, cruelty-free, and intentionally formulated to be free of common allergens and irritants🧬

• The launch includes exclusive new products, such as a 15% Vitamin C Complex and a Retinol-infused Hand & Cuticle Repairing Butter🧴

🐙 Octopus Science: The New Frontier of Broad-Spectrum Sun Protection

Researchers at Northeastern University and Seaspire have patented a sun-protectant technology inspired by octopus pigments. Here’s a quick summary:

• Northeastern University was awarded a patent for a sun-protectant composition with an SPF of 2–30 that utilizes pigments similar to those found in cephalopods like octopuses and squid🐙

• Xanthochrome® (INCI: Ammonium Xanthommatin) is the synthetic form of the naturally occurring chromophore xanthommatin present in cephalopod skin☀️

• The technology features isolated, unencapsulated xanthommatin aggregates, which act as a free radical scavenger to protect skin cells🛡️

• Unlike traditional sunscreens that focus solely on UV rays, this composition provides enhanced protection against visible light and infrared radiation✨

• The research behind this technology was published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science in 2024📚

• Developed by Seaspire co-founders with support from the Army Research Office, the technology has also been recognized through the Sephora Accelerate program🚀

📲SOCIAL MEDIA NEWS

🎮 The DM Evolution: Threads Introduces Unique Messaging Features and Games

Meta is transforming the Threads messaging experience by testing interactive in-stream games and community chats. Here’s a quick summary:

• Meta has reversed its initial stance of excluding messages from Thread and has now developed a robust DM suite to make the app a comprehensive alternative to other social platforms📩

• The platform is experimenting with live chat options specifically for "Threads Communities" to encourage group interaction💬

• Within the messaging interface, a new basketball shooting game is being prototyped, allowing users to challenge their friends using simple swipe controls🏀

• The addition of games is a calculated move to increase user retention and help engagement stats, similar to how puzzle games have performed on LinkedIn📈

• This shift in messaging strategy follows Meta’s significant court victory in November 2025, which ended the Federal Trade Commission's multi-year effort to break up the company⚖️

• Meta previously planned to merge all its messaging platforms (WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger) to make the apps inseparable, but it has since stepped back from this plan🔓

• Because the threat of a forced divestiture has been eliminated, the Threads team no longer needs to ensure Thread tools are compatible with all other Meta messaging infrastructures⚙️

• This newfound independence allows Threads to build unique, experimental features that don't need to fit into a cross-app ecosystem, leading to morelocalized user experiences✨

🔥TRENDING TIKTOK & INSTAGRAM SOUNDS

Here are trending sounds that can be used for educational content🔥

📈SKINCARE BESTSELLERS

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Thanks for reading the DermFriends Newsletter. Stay tuned for more updates, tips, and trends next week!