How IFSCC 2025 Will Make Waves in Cannes — and in Beauty: Interview with Christine Lafforgue, Ph.D., Congress President

The 35th Congress of the International Federation of the Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC) will be held Sept. 15-18, 2025 in Cannes, France. Hosted by the French society (Société Française de Cosmétologie, SFC), the event will push beauty innovators to the forefront of scientific progress in longevity, neuroscience, cognitive science, sensoriality, emotions and more. 

In this exclusive interview, Christine Lafforgue, Ph.D., congress president, gave our own Rachel Grabenhofer, managing scientific editor, Cosmetics & Toiletries (C&T), a "sneak peek" of what attendees can expect to uncover.

Trending Podium and Poster Topics: Emotion, Longevity and Sustainability

Nearly 1,200 submissions for IFSCC Congress podium and poster presentations were reviewed by the scientific committee, revealing emerging trends in beauty.

"We've seen an impressive range of submissions, reflecting the dynamic nature of cosmetic science," Lafforgue explained. "Key trends include longevity and anti-aging, which remains the most prominent area, along with significant growth in neuroscience, cognitive science, sensoriality and emotions." According to Lafforgue, the microbiome also continues to be a strong focus, while sustainability has emerged as a crucial cross-cutting theme for innovation. 

Sustainability was also a notable theme during the NYSCC Suppliers' Day, held in June — along with emotion and neuroscience. In-cosmetics Global, held this past April, dipped into sustainability as well, with a specific emphasis on biotechnology, biodegradability, replacement ingredients ,etc.; longevity and hallmarks of aging, however, seemed to be the heavier focus.

"All of these areas are truly my favorites, especially those pushing the boundaries of interdisciplinary research, or bridging cosmetics with neuroscience and AI," Lafforgue shared. "These are the areas poised to unlock truly 'intelligent' cosmetics that not only enhance biological well-being, but also contribute to overall holistic well-being; and all of this thanks to science. "

AI, Biological Systems and 'Out of the Box' Sessions to Engage Attendees

According to Lafforgue, talks on next-gen tech and biological dynamics are sure to engage attendees. "I anticipate significant interest in presentations related to the growing integration of AI in cosmetic research and new discoveries concerning the effects of aging and longevity," she highlighted, adding, "the interplay between different biological systems, such as skin, nervous and vascular systems, will also captivate attendees."

IFSCC organizers have also curated "Out of the Box" sessions to captivate and educate attendees. These sessions, including a roundtable with space research experts, are "sure to spark excitement and perhaps some lively debate, as they challenge conventional thinking in cosmetology," Lafforgue emphasized.

The congress program is available here and updated as full papers are received and validated.

Delving Deeper: 'Out of the Box' Sessions to Cross-fertilize Innovation

According to Lafforgue, the "Out of the Box" sessions are a cornerstone of the event. "[They're] specifically designed to foster innovation through cross-fertilization with scientific fields beyond cosmetology," she explained. The sessions will bring in experts from diverse disciplines to share their insights, challenging attendees to think differently.

"The motivation is clear: to encourage participants to step outside their comfort zones and gain entirely new perspectives," Lafforgue envisaged. "By exploring scientific advancements from seemingly unrelated fields, we aim to provide novel keys to innovation, stimulating fresh ideas and approaches that can be directly applied to cosmetic research and development."

To Lafforgue, it's all about broadening scientific horizons and discovering unexpected connections that can drive the future of beauty.

4 Benefits to Attending IFSCC 2025

Beyond being arguably the largest cosmetic science research congress in the world, the IFSCC Congress affords numerous opportunities for attendees, according to Lafforgue.

1. The opportunity to explore new avenues in cosmetic science.
2. Exposure to the forefront of scientific innovation and ability to build one's knowledge — conveniently at one concentrated event (68 oral presentations and 730 posters, all in one).
3. Global networking with leading biologists, chemists, physicists and industry experts from 14 countries.
4. Recognition and visibility through the IFSCC Awards, fostering new scientific collaborations and supporting future product launches.

For more information, visit the IFSCC Congress website and/or register here.