In the era of post-effects, consumer demand is shifting from simple ingredients and formulas to more scientific and targeted skin care. A new round of challenges in the market has just begun.
So, where is the future of scientific skin care?
Not long ago, the 33rd European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology (EADV) concluded in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. During the event, the dermatologically scientific skin care brand La Roche-Posay presented 45 academic abstracts covering various dermatological areas such as acne, pigmentation, skin repair, and UV protection. They also showcased new products like MELA B3 essence, DUO+M milk, and brand new academic research.
Undoubtedly, this brand, which has been deeply researching in the field of dermatology for nearly 50 years, is continuously expanding its professional boundaries. It is translating cutting-edge dermatological theoretical research into practical solutions for skin problems, creating more possibilities in the race for skin health care.
La Roche-Posay unveils new achievements, enhancing the skin science research and development network.
Technology and effectiveness are reshaping the daily routine of skin beauty.
The “2024 China Skincare Consumption Trends Report,” jointly released by Transparent Labels and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, reveals that over 90% of consumers consider “safe and scientific ingredients and formulas” to be extremely important. More than 70% of consumers would choose products supported by scientific experimental data. Factors like “personal experience,” “ingredients and formulas,” and “product value for money” have become the top three influencing factors in consumers’ skincare product choices.
From the consumer perspective, scientific evidence has become a decisive factor for consumers when purchasing products. From the brand perspective, market competition has expanded to various dimensions such as basic research, clinical validation, core technology, and beyond. Therefore, dermatologically scientific skincare brands are increasingly involving themselves in every aspect of dermatological research.
La Roche-Posay, with nearly 50 years of deep research in the field of skin science, is a frontrunner in this trend. As the most authoritative international conference focusing on dermatology and venereology in Europe, the EADV is one of the most influential international conferences in the field of dermatology. La Roche-Posay has been appearing at this world-class academic conference for 29 consecutive years. Additionally, La Roche-Posay’s presence can be seen at numerous related academic conferences both domestically and internationally.
At this conference, La Roche-Posay not only presented 45 research abstracts covering areas such as acne, pigmentation, skin repair, UV protection, and tumor-related skin adverse reactions but also initiated multiple academic seminars to explore the diverse integration of skincare and dermatological science from various perspectives and with industry researchers.
For example, La Roche-Posay unveiled 17 research abstracts on pigmentation, including studies on the impact of various pigmentation issues on populations in Europe, Asia, North America, Latin America, North Africa, and other regions.
Regarding UV protection, La Roche-Posay disclosed several targeted studies on sunscreen product tolerance, aiming to extend the scientific skin disease prevention method of sunscreen to a broader population.
In terms of skin repair and acne, Dr. Hawasatu Dumbuya, Director of Clinical Research and Medical Affairs at La Roche-Posay USA, discussed how La Roche-Posay utilizes microbiome science to develop effective moisturizers and the brand’s clinical and basic scientific research in atopic dermatitis and dry skin. Furthermore, La Roche-Posay demonstrated through multiple studies the positive effects of skincare products containing different ingredients in addressing various skin issues. This not only further confirms that skincare products, as “helpers,” can play a greater role in treating skin problems but also provides skin doctors worldwide with more comprehensive solutions for skin issues.
Of note, the academic abstracts released also include research results from two Chinese experts, covering the treatment status and unmet needs of rose acne and atopic dermatitis in China, as well as the application research results of functional skincare products for these two skin diseases. From this perspective, the skin conditions and daily skincare needs of Chinese consumers are increasingly being considered in La Roche-Posay’s product development.
It can be said that La Roche-Posay is currently extending its research perspective to various dermatological research areas, leveraging its accumulated academic achievements over the years to gradually evolve into one of the most in-depth and comprehensive scientific skincare brands in dermatological research.
La Roche-Posay unveils new products, completing the scientific skincare “puzzle.”
In 2022, L’Oréal China officially launched the “Beauty and Health” plan and hopes to use this as a guide to jointly promote innovation, break boundaries, lead change, aid in the construction of a healthy China, and ultimately create beauty through health. This aligns well with China’s “Healthy China 2030” plan.
As the primary driver of business growth in the L’Oréal Group’s Dermatological Cosmetics Division, La Roche-Posay has been dedicated to helping more consumers solve skin health issues. La Roche-Posay’s Brand Director, Meng Yingqi, stated in an interview with CHAILEEDO that the brand’s market concept is essentially “where there are skin health issues, La Roche-Posay’s solutions can be found.”
CHAILEEDO noted that at the academic research session of the EADV, La Roche-Posay also announced two breakthroughs focusing on “the impact of adult atopic dermatitis and its occurrence time relationship” and “a study comparing the efficacy and tolerability of an essence containing 2-MNG versus 5% tranexamic acid in treating melasma,” attempting to explore solutions to issues such as melasma and pigmentation from more diverse perspectives.
For instance, in the melasma treatment study, La Roche-Posay revealed the results of a mid-term study spanning two months on over a hundred subjects with melasma to demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of 2-MNG in daily skincare for melasma patients. According to international dermatology expert Mukta Sachev, the research results prove that the essence formula containing 2-MNG excels in improving skin tone unevenness and brightening skin tone, providing a new approach to addressing pigmentation skin issues.
These are just a glimpse of La Roche-Posay’s research results in pigmentation and related issues. These cutting-edge research outcomes give La Roche-Posay a more forward-looking perspective, enabling the brand to introduce more detailed solutions, such as the newly showcased pigmentation solution at this conference—MELA B3 serum, which is a direct manifestation of these cutting-edge achievements being put into practice.
It is worth mentioning that La Roche-Posay also disclosed the clinical research results of the MELA B3 product. According to Delphine Kerob, Global Medical Director at La Roche-Posay, compared to traditional 4% hydroquinone or 5% tranexamic acid formulas, the MELA B3 serum not only guarantees equivalent efficacy but also exhibits better skin tolerance, playing an enhancing role in maintaining and managing pigmentation. Currently, this product has not yet been launched in the Chinese market.
Additionally, at this conference, La Roche-Posay collaborated with eight international authoritative dermatologists to release and exhibit the world’s first “International Expert Consensus: The Use of Efficacious Skincare Products in Acne Treatment,” demonstrating the important role of efficacious skincare products in daily acne care and treatment, providing directional reference advice and practical basis for dermatology professionals. This achievement was accepted and published by the prestigious global medical journal JEADV in June of this year.
Furthermore, La Roche-Posay shared its new findings in the acne microbiome field at this conference and showcased the upcoming launch in the Chinese market of a new acne-clearing product—DUO+M milk. This new product utilizes La Roche-Posay’s latest technology and natural active ingredient PHYLOBIOMA to precisely target the root cause of acne. Clinical evidence shows that whether used alone, in combination, or for maintenance management, DUO+M milk exhibits excellent effectiveness.
It is evident that La Roche-Posay’s achievements in skin science research have surpassed the realm of an ordinary skincare brand, deeply engaging in and even leading the development of dermatological research.
Using science to change lives, La Roche-Posay leads the skin health ecosystem.
It is important to note that the research achievements made by La Roche-Posay were not achieved overnight.
In 1975, the La Roche-Posay brand was born in the town of La Roche-Posay in France. The efficacy of the thermal spring water in La Roche-Posay town can be traced back to the 14th century, where it healed many soldiers’ skin problems. This efficacy even received official recognition from France in 1897. It can be said that La Roche-Posay has had a scientific heritage since its inception, and it is through continuous efforts and accumulation that it has been able to achieve a qualitative leap in the present day.
In 1905, the La Roche-Posay thermal spring water center was officially established. Over the past century, it has treated around 500,000 patients with skin problems and helped them improve their skin conditions. For La Roche-Posay, scientifically effective products are just one important part of fulfilling the brand mission of “changing lives through skin science.” Beyond products, La Roche-Posay is expanding the boundaries of a skincare brand’s responsibility, seeking ways to help more people maintain healthy skin in the long term.
This aligns with the current vision of the L’Oréal Group.
As mentioned earlier, in early 2023, following the release of the “Beauty and Health” plan, L’Oréal officially announced the renaming of its Active Health Cosmetics Division to the Dermatological Cosmetics Division. The long-term mission for the future is to “lead the beauty of health, with skin science as the foundation, and create more sustainable and life-changing beauty solutions for the world.” From the current perspective, La Roche-Posay is undoubtedly gradually fulfilling this mission.
Recently, La Roche-Posay partnered with the Beijing Love Spectrum Cancer Patient Care Foundation and the Rehabilitation Branch of the China Anti-Cancer Association to integrate the “2023-2024 Chinese Tumor Treatment-Related Adverse Reactions Research Report.” They launched the “Blue Ribbon Cares for Skin Health” mini-program in China, helping users identify the root causes of adverse reactions in a timely manner and providing users with more scientific and systematic care solutions. Additionally, the mini-program includes MDT (Multidisciplinary Team) consultation suggestions, providing important decision-making support for frontline clinical experts.
“Skin science, changing lives.” This is La Roche-Posay’s brand mission and the driving force behind La Roche-Posay’s efforts to promote global consumer skin health development. In the future, La Roche-Posay will undoubtedly collaborate with more dermatological experts, researchers, and consumers to jointly create the beauty of health.
