COSMAX achieved firsts and the most wins at a global cosmetics academic conference. After becoming the first in Korea to win a top prize at the International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists, it also delivered the most oral presentations in the domestic industry, proving its research competitiveness on the global stage.
COSMAX said on 23rd that it won the IFSCC "basic research award," a first for Korea's cosmetics industry, at the International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC) held in Cannes, France, on 15–18th (local time).
Now in its 35th year, the IFSCC is an academic conference where researchers and experts in cosmetics from around the world share the latest findings and technologies. Because it is the most closely watched event in the cosmetics industry throughout the year, researchers often call it the "cosmetics Olympics."
COSMAX first participated in 2014 and has since presented a total of 73 research results on the world stage. Although COSMAX and many Korean corporations have continued to take part, there had been no awards.
At the IFSCC, awards are presented in three categories: the basic research award and the applied research award, which are the top prizes for oral presenters, and the Johann Wiechers poster award for poster presenters.
The honor of Korea's first top prize went to Kyung Seo-yeon, principal researcher at the COSMAX R&I Center. Kyung disclosed research results that, for the first time in the world, used hair follicle organoids (human mimetics) to model the mechanism of gray hair formation caused by stress. This is expected to lay the groundwork for developing customized anti-aging products.
At this conference, COSMAX fielded the largest number of researchers to the podium among Korean cosmetics corporations. It delivered five oral presentations (including one joint presentation) and nine poster presentations, showcasing innovative technologies that lead the global cosmetics industry across a wide range of fields, including suncare.
First, it presented on the effects of near-infrared (IRA) exposure on damage to human skin cells. By proactively analyzing the skin impacts of climate change, it suggested a direction for next-generation suncare research.
COSMAX also presented two studies in the skin microbiome field, which it is leading. A microbial emulsification system that does not use chemical surfactants drew attention from the global cosmetics industry.
It also unveiled joint research results with HelloBiome, a global microbiome AI platform corporation. It presented findings from a screening study of fragrance components that help with sleep and calming effects, based on computer simulations.