Tag: Innovation

High-tech beauty

An in-depth look at the physical mechanisms revolutionising the cosmetics industry

By Anaïs BONNEFOY

Long reserved for beauty salons and aesthetic medicine clinics, technological beauty devices are now available to the general public. This widespread adoption has been accompanied by a diversification of stimulation methods, such as light, electrical currents, heat and mechanical stimulation.

These devices differ from conventional cosmetic products in terms of their mode of action and regulatory framework. Whilst cosmetic products rely mainly on the application of active ingredients to the skin’s surface, these devices deliver physical energy designed to interact directly with the skin’s tissues. Their aim is to stimulate certain biological mechanisms involved, in particular, in skin ageing, inflammation, tissue repair and the skin’s barrier function.

In-cosmetics Global 2026

Biotechnology, regeneration, multifunctionality and wellbeing

By Anaïs BONNEFOY

The 2026 edition of in-cosmetics Global confirms a trend that has been emerging over recent years: innovation is no longer limited to the launch of new ingredients, but is increasingly based on the reformulation of established active ingredients, the optimisation of delivery systems and the expansion of claimed benefits. Amidst the wide variety of new launches on display, several trends are emerging: the reinvention of long-established active ingredients, the development of solutions inspired by regenerative medicine, the extension of skincare principles to other categories, and a growing emphasis on emotional and sensory wellbeing. These trends reflect a cosmetics industry that is paying greater attention to the versatility of formulations and the interplay between efficacy, performance in use and sustainability.

IFSCC 2025

Towards an Augmented Cosmetic: Between Nature, Artificial Intelligence, Emotions and Sustainability

By Anaïs BONNEFOY

During the 2025 IFSCC Congress, held under the theme “The Future is Science”, the cosmetics industry demonstrated its ability to transform and redefine itself in response to sustainability challenges and the rapid evolution of technologies. This transformation is rooted in a renewed observation of living systems, whose adaptive strategies inspire the development of ingredients, formulations and packaging that are both sustainable and biocompatible.

Human skin perfectly illustrates this continuous capacity for adaptation. Its pigmentation, shaped over time by human migrations, reflects the plasticity of living organisms in response to environmental constraints. Skin diversity, influenced by genetic, cultural and behavioural factors, now inspires a more functional, inclusive and personalised approach to skincare [1].

Artificial intelligence (AI) and biometric technologies are opening up new fields of exploration. They enable analysis, modelling and prediction on an unprecedented scale, while optimising research and formulation processes. Far from replacing human creativity, AI enhances it, becoming a tool for augmented intelligence that supports explainable, responsible and sustainable innovation [2].

By integrating the dimension of perception and emotion, cosmetics now connect biological data with sensory experiences and emotional responses. Beauty is increasingly viewed as a holistic experience, where care, technology and well-being converge.