With the ambition of becoming the benchmark international competition for cosmetic innovation, The Cosmetic Victories aim to detect, reveal and support innovative start-ups through an "academic prize" and an "industrial prize" that mark a technological milestone or breakthrough in the world of cosmetic perfumery.
Organized by the Cosmetic Valley competitiveness cluster in conjunction with Essec, its university partner, the awards were presented on March 30 via remote transmission and broadcast on Cosmetic Valley TV.
The selection jury, made up of scientists from Japan, France, Canada-Quebec, Turkey, Thailand, Madagascar, Brazil and the UK, often affiliated to the Global Cosmetics Cluster, also met by videoconference. Some 81 projects from 13 different countries were examined.
Marc-Antoine Jamet, President of Cosmetic Valley said: "Year after year, the level of this competition continues to rise, the projects to become more international, the objectives to become more ambitious, and the candidates to become better and better. This year, it was difficult to make a choice. We wanted to recognize the work of Marcin Lukaszewicz and Agneszkia Lewinska, Polish scientists who, like Marie Curie, are looking to France to work on their smart delivery system bio project. I'm also delighted that a grain of sand introduced into the mechanics of our rules has enabled us to reward Doctor Roberto Varioglu and Professor Hassan Zahouani for their incredible "Touchy Finger."
Prix académique :
Laurent Billon, Professor, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux (Iprem), UMR CNRS/UPPA 5254, Université de Pau et Pays de l'Adour Uppa (France).
Project : Bio-inspired Microgels for Cosmetics ... and what else?
"Iprem is developing a new generation of bio-inspired microgels with amazing properties, opening the door to applications for cosmetics and health. "Microgels are tiny sponges containing up to 95 % of water, capable of swelling or contracting under the effect of stimuli."explains Laurent Billon. This singular ability can be used to encapsulate/relarge active ingredients, and the evaporation of water from the surface of the epidermis forms an adhesive, elastic and mechano-electrical film, which is used to gradually diffuse cosmetic active ingredients.
Industry prize: Professor Marcin Lukaszewicz, CEO & Dr Agnieszka Lewinska, R&D Director InventionBio SA (Poland).
Project : Biorefinery-based technology in Smart Delivery Systems
"Invention(Bio) is an intelligent delivery system based on green chemicals obtained from a patented biorefinery, in a waste-free and environmentally-friendly process. Thanks to encapsulation and controlled release, active substances are delivered to the intended area of the skin, reducing their concentration and therefore costs. The solution can also improve product odor, color and stability. Less is more!say the winners.
Jury's favorite: Roberto Vargiolu, PhD Research Engineer, and Professor Hassan Zahouani, co-inventor - Laboratoire de Tribologie et Dynamique des Systèmes (LTDS), Ecole Centrale de Lyon, UMR CNRS 5513 (France).
Project : "Touchy Finger", an augmented and connected human finger to assess skin and hair feel
Specialists in touch engineering, the LTDS of the Ecole Centrale de Lyon and the CNRS, has developed an innovative augmented and connected human finger device. By fitting her finger with a sensor-equipped ring, the consumer will be able to assess the softness of her skin and hair.
