IFSCC Probes into the Biology of Cosmetics

By: Rae Grabenhofer

Posted: November 13, 2008

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Yoshimaru Kumano, PhD, (Shiseido), immediate past president of the IFSCC, then awarded the Maison G. de Navarre Young Scientist Prize to Telanie Weys, a pharmaceutical graduate student at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University. Weys is completing her graduate degree studies in the cosmetics research group of Unit for Drug Research and Development. Earlier this year, she entered the Maison G. de Navarre Young Scientist competition with an entry about how the cosmetic industry has changed during the last 50 years, and what it could look like in the next 50 years.

The opening ceremony concluded with an impressive presentation by perfumist Augustí Vidal, during which delegates experienced three vials of fragrance formulated to represent accompanying music. The first scent was developed to represent a sweet, relaxed mood, followed by a second, more “violent” scent—each with music written to accompany the given fragrances. The third and final fragrance, as well as its musical piece, was a balanced mix of the first two, creating an entirely new scent and sound combination.

After the opening ceremony, attendees enjoyed a cocktail reception to mingle, relax and peruse more than 300 poster presentations, which were on display over the course of the week.

Day two of the IFSCC opened with a keynote lecture by Antonio Ferrer-Montiel, PhD, of the Miguel Hernández University in Spain, describing neurogenic inflammation and sensitive skin. According to Ferrer-Montiel, nerves and the immune system are intimately connected, and “the neuroimmune system is one, functional unit.” He also discussed “reverse physiology, in which researchers start by looking at skin in a pathological state and work to bring it down to the normal physiology state.”

Sessions continued throughout the day on progress in actives research, antiaging research, trends in hair, nails and skin protection, and assessments in cosmetic efficacy. In a separate evening session from L’Oréal Recherche, speakers covered cosmetics and well-being, featuring talks on cosmetics efficacy; anorexia and beauty care; and cosmetics to support oncology.