In-cosmetics Asia has announced the launch of The Cosmetic Conference, in association with the International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Scientists (IFSCC) and sponsored by dsm-firmenich. The event, which is free to attend, features a program of technical and scientific conferences, led by experts from L'Oréal, Shiseido, A*Star Skin Research Labs, Formulae 8 and Shieling Laboratories. For two days (November 5-6, 2024), scientists and R&D experts from a variety of disciplines will gather at in-cosmetics Asia, to be held in Bangkok from November 5-7, 2024.
Against the backdrop of a booming beauty and personal care market in Asia-Pacific, which is expected to reach $253.10 billion in sales this year, the conference program will focus on trends in cosmetic science addressing several themes such as the microbiome, pigmentation or the power of beauty for aging skin, elevating in-cosmetics Asia's educational offering according to event organizers.
Six leading experts from all over the world will be present. What's more, with over 650 exhibitors from different regions, in-cosmetics Asia 2024 will be the biggest edition since the show's inception, underlining its truly international appeal and importance.
Make way for artificial intelligence (AI)
As AI and virtual reality become an integral part of the beauty industry, the Cosmetic Conference will explore the impact of artificial intelligence on the cosmetics market, valued at $3.22 billion in 2022 and expected to reach $15.75 billion by 2031.
To bring these predictions to life, industry expert Perry Romanowski, IFSCC Education Chair and Vice President of Element 44 INC, will discuss how AI is reshaping cosmetics formulation during the opening session. In his talk "The future of beauty: how AI will affect cosmetic chemists and formulation", he will explain how AI is being used to underpin marketing pitches and influence ingredient research and formulation processes.
He will examine the latest advances in hair care, exploring product innovation through historical examples and modern techniques during the session "Hair care formulations - is innovation still possible?" on the second day of the conference.
Quality of life
Tomo Osawa, Director of Shiseido's Asia-Pacific Regional Innovation Center, will share his insights on "The Power of Beauty" - the well-being of the elderly." With Japan home to the largest number of elderly people in the world, Asian countries will also see aging accelerate in the future. In this presentation, Tomo Osawa will highlight the impact of beauty on the physical and mental functions of aging populations.
In his other presentation on "The effect of the 'power of beauty' - the well-being of people with skin problems", Tomo Osawa will present the influence of the power of beauty on the well-being of people with deep-seated skin problems.
Facts outweigh fiction
With misinformation and distorted reality on social media, a key theme of the conference will be to help formulators identify false information.
Danilo Lambino, founder and director of Formulae 8 Pty Ltd, as well as inventor, cosmetics formulator, visual artist and beauty technology entrepreneur, will give a two-part presentation under the theme "Making smart ingredient choices for new product development."
In the first part, he will delve into the importance of choosing the right ingredients, emphasizing the need for accurate and reliable ingredient information. In the second part, the emphasis will be on the importance of fact-checking and verification as essential tools for making informed and intelligent ingredient choices.
The magic of the microbiome
According to the Skin Microbiome in Healthy Ageing (SMiHA) network3In the UK, around 50 % of the population suffer each year from skin conditions associated with the microbiome, such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea or acne. The microbiome and its role in skin barrier function and health will be at the heart of the debates.
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 pigment disorders."
For his part, Dr Thomas Dawson, Deputy Executive Director of A*Star Skin Research Labs, will lead a masterclass on "Microbe/host interaction on human skin: the importance of lipids in skin health." Participants will learn about the crucial role of lipids in skin health. In his second presentation, he will address the metabolic regulation of the anagen hair follicle.
Dr Romun Leaovitavat, consultant in dermatology and medicine, will lead a discussion on "Unveiling the essence of skin aging: morphology, skin barrier and function." This session will introduce conference participants to the underlying cellular characteristics of skin aging and the cutaneous phenotype associated with senescence, and provide delegates with a clear understanding of how to combat aging.
Sun protection factor (SPF)
Suncare products remain a hot category in the beauty and personal care sector, with the global value of suncare products expected to grow by 4 % per year to 2028. Stimulated by the growing popularity of outdoor activities and heightened awareness of the risks associated with UVA and UVB rays, sunscreen brands are innovating to cater to specific markets. For example, the Chinese sunscreen market is expanding rapidly, outstripping overall growth in the beauty sector. Brands are responding with alcohol-free and sensitive-skin options, as well as products that offer blue-light protection and integrated skincare benefits.
Oliver Hofmann, Official Technical Advisor, in-cosmetics Asia and Technical Director, Shieling Laboratories, will present a session on this topic: "What is SPF, how does it work and are there other elements to consider for effective protection?" He will present key ideas on how to achieve adequate protection without simply looking for high SPF figures.
Commenting on the event, IFSCC Presidium member Robert McPherson said: "The collaboration between in-cosmetics Asia and the Cosmetic Conference makes perfect sense, as we complement each other perfectly. With over 16,000 members worldwide, IFSCC is dedicated to advancing cosmetics research and promoting innovation. Joining forces enables us to offer unique perspectives and cutting-edge information to showcase the latest developments in our field. This partnership is a testament to our shared commitment to advancing the industry through collaboration and mutual support."
Sarah Gibson, in-cosmetics Asia event director, said: "The APAC region is living through a pivotal period as the beauty industry celebrates one of the most successful years in its history. With Asian beauty making significant inroads into Western markets, it's crucial for the sector to influence this market dominance. We encourage the industry to join us at the Cosmetic Conference for an inspiring, free program that promises to push the boundaries of cosmetic science and technology, offering unparalleled opportunities for networking, learning and growth. in-cosmetics Asia is known for the quality of its educational content, and with this new addition, we're keen to ensure that science is accessible to all like never before."
The complete Cosmetic Conference is available on the in-cosmetics Asia website.
n-cosmetics Asia 2024 will take place at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC), in Bangkok, Thailand, from November 5 to 7, 2024. The event will be held at the same venue as CosmexAsean's exhibition of manufacturing technologies, machinery, packaging and ODM/OEM services for cosmetics, personal care and dietary supplement products.
