Dr. Yonit Bomstein is co-founder of Green Mountain Biotech, which specialises in developing and commercialising innovative botanical ingredients based on Chinese traditional medicine
Please briefly introduce yourself, your company and your role.
My name is Yonit Bomstein and I am the co-founder of Green Mountain Biotech (GMB) and lead R&D at the company, bringing over 20 years of expertise in biotechnological R&D and technology innovation. GMB specialises in developing and commercialising innovative botanical ingredients based on Chinese traditional medicine, with therapeutic applications in personal care and cosmetics.
In my role, I oversee the development of herbal extracts, including proprietary extraction processes that maintain the integrity and potency of plant compounds. We focus on creating synergistic herbal combinations, Botaniplex, with enhanced biological functions, some of which have been granted patents for their innovation. My work involves driving research, formulation, and testing to ensure that our products are both highly effective and safe.
What do you consider to be your most significant achievement to date – whether it’s a specific project, collaboration, or partnership – that has helped shape your professional journey?
My participation in the foundation of Green Mountain Biotech was definitely a very important milestone for me. We started with a lot of professional knowledge but no infrastructure and built the company from the ground up; seeing it grow makes me extremely proud. Interacting with customers, being part of their dreams, and feeling the market’s pulse firsthand has been an exceptional experience and achievement.
Through these interactions, we discovered and patented new properties of our herbal extracts. The first is balancing the skin microbiota by preventing the growth of harmful bacteria while encouraging the growth of beneficial ones, demonstrating a prebiotic effect.
This work was done in collaboration with Prof. Sima Yaron at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. The second is the discovery of synergistic anti-herpes virus activity, which opened new opportunities in lip and intimate care. This research was performed in cooperation with Prof. Kobiler at Tel Aviv University.
Both collaborations opened new horizons in the scientific exploration of novel mechanisms of action and led to the development of innovative products for personal care.
These achievements demonstrate the powerful combination of science, innovation, and collaboration, which continue to fuel our future growth and success.
What inspires your work, and how do you stay motivated to continue driving innovation in the industry?
My inspiration comes from nature itself. The potential of plants to provide solutions to modern skincare challenges is immense, and this belief drives me every day.
By translating traditional knowledge of botanical ingredients into scientifically backed innovations, I feel we’re pushing the boundaries of what's possible in personal care. I’m also motivated by the direct impact our products have on people’s lives. Knowing that we’re providing safer, more sustainable options keeps me focused on continuing our research and advancing the field.
What trends do you foresee in the APAC personal care and beauty industry?
I believe AI will play a transformative role in personal care, particularly in areas like personalised skincare, where algorithms can tailor products based on an individual's unique skin profile. AI-driven diagnostics and product recommendations will enhance customer experiences and optimise product efficacy.
Beyond AI, I see a strong trend towards sustainability, with consumers demanding eco-friendly formulations, sustainable packaging, and transparency in sourcing.
Clean beauty and plant-based products are also gaining traction, with a focus on natural ingredients that offer therapeutic benefits. In APAC, where traditional botanical knowledge is rich, the integration of modern science with traditional remedies will continue to thrive. Additionally, there’s an increasing demand for multifunctional products that cater to busy lifestyles, as well as a rise in wellness-driven beauty solutions that emphasise holistic health.
What advice would you give to young professionals looking to make an impact in the APAC beauty industry?
My advice is simple: don’t give up. The beauty industry is constantly evolving, so perseverance is key.
It’s also important to recognise that scientific progress comes with challenges and setbacks. Don’t be discouraged by failures; they are part of the journey. Each challenge is an opportunity to learn, adapt, and innovate.
The ability to face and overcome these difficulties will shape your success in this industry. Stay committed to learning from every experiment and embracing new ideas.
Keep investigating—be curious, explore new ingredients, technologies, and trends. Pay close attention to the environment and to people. Understand the needs of your consumers, and always seek sustainable, ethical ways to meet those needs.
What do you hope to achieve in the future?
It is well known that the skin is a mirror of our internal world, reflecting the health and balance of our entire system. There is a powerful, interconnected relationship between our internal well-being and our skin. A calm, healthy internal state contributes to healthy skin, and in turn, healthy skin fosters calm and confidence.
The human body possesses an incredible natural ability to heal itself, and my goal is to support that innate power. Through innovative, plant-based solutions, I hope to contribute, even in a small way, to unlocking this potential for self-healing.
At Green Mountain Biotech, our purpose is to reach as many manufacturers and cosmetics brands as possible to drive meaningful change in the industry. Our goal is to influence the market by making natural, effective and sustainable skincare solutions more accessible, ultimately benefiting the health and confidence of consumers worldwide.
