In the emerging landscape of cosmetic science, there is a growing recognition of the interconnectedness between skin health and mental well-being. Dr Katerina Steventon has been at the forefront of this industry paradigm shift since 2022. With a focus on holistic approaches to skin health, she has been a pioneer in exploring the intricate relationship between mental and emotional well-being and cosmetic products and treatments. As the Director of the Research and Innovation Pillar for the Cosmetic Cluster UK (CCUK), she is dedicated to bringing psychodermatology into the realm of personal care. Dr Steventon’s presentation delves into the scientific underpinnings of new concepts in emotional and mental beauty, mindfulness, and self-care. Through evidence-based insights, she highlights the role of the skin-brain axis and their reciprocal communication. Her focus on facial touch in skincare routines reveals that gentle, slow, and warm touch activates the specialised sensory C-tactile afferent fibres in the skin. Triggered hormonal release is associated with emotional well-being; oxytocin enhances feelings of trust and emotional security, whilst reduced cortisol levels alleviate stress and anxiety. New evidence demonstrates that self-facial massage techniques, incl. effleurage, stretching, and reflexology, can promote relaxation, positively impact sleep quality, and also boost self-confidence, self-acceptance, and a positive outlook on life. Dr Steventon underscores the significance of integrating subjective experience of facial self-touch with objective measures, such as electroencephalography (EEG), heart rate variability (HRV), and systemic hormonal levels in future research. Exploring the space where science, beauty, and well-being meet, Dr Steventon highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to advance our understanding of skin health and mental well-being in the context of cosmetic science.

What are the microbial signatures and ‘dermotypes’ in Atopic Dermatitis? How does the skin microbiome change during ageing, between the US, Europe and Asia? How can we use a growing database of 20K+ microbiome samples and 4K+ ingredients to improve skin health? In this talk, Oliver will share key results and insights they’ve uncovered with next generation sequencing, in diverse clinical studies around the world. Please join Oliver’s talk to hear the answers to these questions, and other exciting advances in clinical microbiome testing.

In recent years,  the cosmetics industry has leveraged the success of the so-called ‘probiotics’ for use in consumer products. The bacteria utilised are generally lactic acid bacteria, or extracts thereof, which are usually found in the gut. It is now becoming clear that skins own microbiome contributes extensively to skin health, particularly, skin barrier function. This paves the way for ‘next generation probiotics for skin’ using bacteria from skins own microbiome. In this talk, I will outline what is currently known regarding the role of the skin microbiome to skin physiology,  and describe some of the work going on in my laboratory investigating the role of the skin microbiome in skins response to ultraviolet radiation.

The best example of programmed ageing in mammals is demonstrated by ageing in the female reproductive system. The menopause is the result of a transition from full ovarian function to complete lack of oestrogen biosynthesis which occurs in women around the age of 50 years old. Oestrogen significantly modulates skin physiology, thus deficiency following menopause results in atrophic skin changes and acceleration of skin ageing. The microbiome can strongly influence skin physiology and must adapt to changes during the life course. Despite the skin microbiome emerging as a superior biomarker for physiological ageing, understanding how changes in the skin microbiome over the life course impact ageing is still in its infancy.