The 35th IFSCC Congress in Cannes once again proved to be a stage for groundbreaking scientific dialogue in beauty – and Givaudan Active Beauty stood among the best. Selected from over 1,200 global abstract submissions, their pioneering research on the link between neuroageing and skin sensation was ranked in the Top 10 podium presentations. This recognition showcases their leadership at the intersection of dermocosmetics and neuroscience.
But this acknowledgment is more than just a milestone. It highlights a shift in how the industry approaches skin longevity, sensory function, and cellular health, unlocking entirely new opportunities for formulators and brands. By decoding hidden connections between neurons, skin, and ageing, Givaudan Active Beauty is not only redefining how beauty science is understood. They are creating a foundation for the next generation of active ingredients.
Continue reading to discover how their latest advances, from neuro-skin models to breakthrough hyaluronic acid innovations, are shaping the future of beauty.
Neuro-skin ageing is emerging as one of the most exciting frontiers in cosmetic research. While the beauty industry has long focused on visible markers of ageing – wrinkles, elasticity, pigmentation – Givaudan Active Beauty is shifting attention to something deeper: the decline of sensory neurons and its impact on skin health and sensitivity.
The skin is not only a barrier, but also a sensory organ, intimately connected to the nervous system. With age, this neuronal network weakens, diminishing touch perception, impairing communication between skin layers, and increasing sensitivity. To better understand this process, Givaudan has developed an ex vivo reinnervated ageing skin model1. This breakthrough enables precise study of how neuroimaging drives changes in skin structure and function.
This innovation not only unlocks new ways to study “pro-sensation” active ingredients, but also reframes ageing itself: a process that affects not just how skin looks, but how it feels. As Romain Reynaud, Research & Development Director at Givaudan Active Beauty, explains:
“The sense of touch lies at the heart of our humanity”
By bridging neuroscience and dermatology, Givaudan is setting the stage for a new class of active ingredients. Designed to preserve sensory acuity, protect neuronal vitality, and support skin longevity as a cornerstone of human well-being.
While neuro-skin ageing highlights the pivotal role of sensory neurons in skin health, the ageing process also operates at a deeper, molecular level. Givaudan Active Beauty is investigating cryptic transcription, a phenomenon in which erroneous gene transcripts accumulate during cellular senescence, disrupting normal function and contributing to the visible and functional signs of ageing2.
By linking epigenetic dysfunction to skin longevity, this research shows that maintaining transcriptional fidelity is as critical as preserving neuronal networks. Using advanced in vitro and ex vivo models, the team demonstrated that targeting DNMT3b-mediated DNA methylation3 can restore proper gene expression, revealing a new dimension of intervention in cellular ageing.
This approach positions skin longevity as a multidimensional concept: it is not just about repairing wrinkles or maintaining barrier function, but about preserving the molecular integrity and responsiveness of skin cells. As Catherine Zanchetta, Strategic & Innovation Manager at Givaudan Active Beauty, emphasizes, cryptic transcription is a “key piece of the skin longevity puzzle”, connecting cellular biology directly to actionable formulation strategies.
Building on these important insights, Givaudan Active Beauty has developed Extra Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid (ELMW HA, <3 kDa), a breakthrough ingredient to act at multiple layers of skin longevity. Unlike traditional high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acids that primarily superficially, ELMW HA penetrates into the nucleus of skin cells, where it modulates cryptic transcription, activates DNA repair mechanisms, protects telomeres, and stimulates proteasome.
With its action on four of the five primary hallmarks of ageing, ELMW HA represents a true geroprotective active, capable of supporting both cellular and tissue-level resilience. Its applications extend from post-aesthetic treatments to formulations aimed at reducing inflammation and enhancing skin vitality. For formulators, ELMW HA provides a scientifically validated, high-performance solution that bridges molecular research and practical product development. This offers a new benchmark for next-generation longevity-focused cosmetics.
The combined insights from neuro-skin ageing, cryptic transcription, and geroprotective actives like ELMW HA redefine how the industry approaches skin longevity. For scientist and formulators, these discoveries offer a mechanistic understanding of ageing that goes beyond visible signs, providing tools to target sensory decline, molecular dysfunction, and cellular resilience simultaneously.
For brands, this research translates into differentiated, high-performance products that resonate with increasingly informed consumers who demand efficacy backed by science. By bridging dermatology, neuroscience, and epigenetics, Givaudan Active Beauty enables innovations that preserve skin function, enhance sensations and support overall skin vitality. This opens new avenues for product development in anti-ageing, post-aesthetic care, and sensitive-skin formulations.
Recognition at the 35th IFSCC Congress underscores Givaudan Active Beauty’s commitment to advancing cosmetic science and setting new benchmarks for innovation. By exploring neuro-skin ageing, decoding cryptic transcription, and developing next-generation actives like ELMW HA, the company is transforming skin longevity from concept to actionable science.
Givaudan Active Beauty pioneering research demonstrates that understanding the biology of ageing is not just an academic exercise — it is the key to creating products that truly support healthier, longer-lived skin.
Explore Givaudan on Covalo, learn more about their ingredients, and start formulating your longevity-inspired products today!