In-Cosmetics Asia has announced the debut of The Cosmetic Conference, in association with The International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Scientists (IFSCC) and sponsored by DSM-Firmenich.

The free conference will deliver a schedule of technical, scientific-led talks from expert speakers from L’Oréal to Shiseido, A*Star Skin Research Labs, Formulae 8 and Shieling Laboratories. The two-day conference, running this Nov. 5 and 6, will bring together scientists and R&D experts from diverse disciplines during the In-Cosmetics Asia event held from Nov. 5 to 7, 2024 at BITEC, Bangkok.

Set against the backdrop of a booming beauty and personal care market in Asia Pacific, projected to reach $253.1 billion in revenue this year, the cosmetic conference will delve into emerging trends in cosmetic science, such as the microbiome, pigmentation, the power of beauty for aging skin and more.

It will unite six leading experts from across the globe, fostering collaboration and innovation for brand leaders through pure, unbiased and independent scientific content. Additionally, with over 650 exhibitors from various regions, In-Cosmetics Asia 2024 will be the largest gathering in the show’s 15-year history, highlighting its international appeal.

AI Reshapes Cosmetic Formulation

As AI and virtual reality become integral to the beauty industry, the cosmetic conference will explore the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the cosmetics market, valued at $3.22 billion in 2022 and predicted to reach $15.75 billion by 2031.

Bringing this to life at the show, industry expert Perry Romanowski, chair of education, IFSCC and vice president, Element 44 INC, will discuss how AI is reshaping cosmetic formulation in the Conference’s opening session, The future of beauty: How AI will affect cosmetic chemists and formulation. Romanowski will deliver insights into how AI is being used to prop up marketing stories and impacting ingredient research and formulation processes.

Additionally, Romanowski will examine the latest advancements in haircare, exploring product innovation through historical examples and modern techniques in the session – one of which, “Haircare formulations – is innovation still possible?” – held on day two of the conference.

Cosmetic Camouflaging

Addressing the rise of “cosmetic camouflaging” and other solution-focused trends, Tomo Osawa, regional Asia Pacific innovation center director, Shiseido, will share insights on “The Power of Beauty” effect – Well-being of the elderly. With Japan boasting the highest proportion of elderly citizens, Asian countries will also see aging accelerate in the future. In this presentation, Osawa will highlight the impact of beauty on physical and mental functions in aging populations.

In his other presentation, “The Power of Beauty,” Osawa will introduce the influence of the power of beauty on the well-being of people with deep skin concerns.

Helping Formulators ID False Info

With misinformation and editing apps distorting reality on social media, a key theme of the conference will be to help formulators identify false information. Danilo Lambino, founder and firector of Formulae 8 Pty Ltd, will deliver a two-part presentation under the theme, “making smart ingredient choices” for new product development.

In part one, Lambino will delve into the significance of choosing the right ingredients by emphasizing the need for accurate and trustworthy ingredient information. Meanwhile, part two will emphasize the importance of fact-checking and verification as essential tools to make informed and intelligent ingredient choices.

Microbiome Science

According to the Skin Microbiome in Healthy Ageing (SMiHA) Network, around 50% of the UK population suffer from microbiome-associated skin complaints annually, such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea or acne. At this year’s In-Cosmetics Asia and conference, the microbiome and its role in skin barrier function and health will be a focal point. Dr. Tarun Chopra, director of advanced research at L’Oréal Singapore, will lead sessions on microbiome sciences – from knowledge to effective dermo-cosmetic solutions and understanding and managing skin tone and pigmentary disorders.

Additionally, Dr. Thomas Dawson, deputy executive director, A*Star Skin Research Labs, will host a masterclass on microbe/host interaction on human skin: The importance of lipids in skin health. Attendees will learn about the crucial role of lipids in skin health, while, in his second presentation, he will address the metabolic regulation of the anagen hair follicle.

Elsewhere, dermatological and medical consultant Dr. Romun Leaovitavat will lead a discussion called “Unlocking the essence of skin-ageing: Morphology, skin barrier and function.” This session will introduce conference attendees to the underlying cellular characteristics of skin-aging and senescence-associated skin phenotype.

SPF Still a Hot Topic

Sun care remains a hot category in beauty and personal care, with global suncare product values projected to grow by 4% annually until 2028. Driven by the surging popularity of outdoor activities and heightened awareness of UVA and UVB radiation risks, sunscreen brands are innovating their formulas to cater to specific markets. For instance, China’s sunscreen market is expanding rapidly, outstripping the overall beauty sector’s growth. Brands are responding with sensitive-skin friendly, alcohol-free options, and products that provide blue-light protection with integrated skincare benefits.

Delivering a session on this pressing topic, Dr. Oliver Hofmann, official technical advisor, In-Cosmetics Asia and technical director, Shieling Laboratories, will present on all things SPF – what is it, how it works and if there’s more to consider for effective protection?

The full cosmetic conference program, including speaker biographies and abstracts, is available here.