Zürich—The 23rd IFSCC Congress, held Sept. 21-23, 2015, reported “more facts and less illusions” to some 550+ delegates from across the globe at the forefront of cosmetic product innovation. More than 25 podium presentations and 200 posters discussed topics ranging from cosmeceuticals, skin biology, hair and hair strength, formulation technologies and social issues, to epigenetics, ethnic differences in skin moisture, skin sagging, anti-acne, imaging and more. (View our photo album on Facebook.)
Two sold-out pre-event workshops on cosmeceuticals and innovations from Switzerland set the pace for the event—not only in its vision for the future, but also in filling auditorium seats to near capacity; where it remained throughout the three days.
Alphorns Sound: Big Changes Ahead
During the opening ceremony, Petra Huber, of the IFSCC Scientific Committee, acted as emcee and welcomed attendees. She introduced Reto Hess, Ph.D., president of the IFSCC Conference Steering Committee, who wished all attendees a successful conference and declared the event "open."
Following his remarks, outgoing IFSCC president (2014-2015) Claudie Willemin, of L’Oréal, announced big changes to the IFSCC—the headquarters will relocate from the U.K. to the United States. This move coincides with IFSCC Secretariat Lorna Weston’s retirement, which also was tearfully announced and celebrated during the closing ceremony.
Jadir Nunes, immediate past president of the IFSCC, presented the Maison G. DeNavarre Young Scientist Award to Chaikriangkrai Amata for the paper, “From an Eco-Friendly to an Eco-Improving World of Cosmetic Science: Addressing Water Pollution in Emerging and Developing Societies.” This prize is awarded on odd years to cover travel and lodging costs for an up-and-coming scientist to attend the following year’s conference.
Next to the stage was Philippe Auderset, Ph.D., incoming IFSCC president (2015-2016), who thanked Willemin for all her time and effort, especially in light of the headquarters move to New York. He likened it to “building bridges between countries.” The new Secretariat has yet to be named, but all accounts point to the end of 2015 for an official decision.
Huber then returned to the podium to introduce key note presenter for the evening: 1991 Nobel Prize Winner in chemistry Prof. Richard Ernst, Ph.D., who made connections between science and beauty.
"The main focus in science is truth. The main focus in cosmetics is beauty. Truth and beauty belong together as the basis of our world," said Ernst, who went on to give examples of great scientists and artists, and their views of beauty. He observed, “The most beautiful scientific equations tend to be the simplest.”
Throughout the opening ceremony, Swiss Alphorns sounded, giving guests a feeling for the local culture. In addition, a drumline performed and wrapped up the evening by marching attendees to the cocktail reception.
Skin Magic, Epigenetics and Google Earth Imaging
Day one of the conference opened with a keynote lecture by Marek Haftek, of Université Lyon, who described the stratum corneum (SC) as a "magic cauldron” brewing to its fullness.
