The Cosmetology sector is structurally founded in 2014 out of the strong desire of its researchers which believed this field to be in continuous growth. Thanks to its management, methodological and organisational skills the Institute is capable of providing support to the cosmetic companies by conducting research activities and offering other services. The Institute is equipped with the most recent technologies and it is capable of offering analyses and services with a wide application radius, e.g. the control of the quality and safety requirements of the finished product (in every aspect of the word). Thanks to the capabilities and the experience of the personnel in the planning of research projects, financed by local, national and European institutional bodies, the companies have the possibility to become project partners, benefitting from research results obtained within the project. The know-how of its researchers reflects the potential support which the Institute can offer in the development of planning of innovative projects which enhance the market. The interaction between research and the field of cosmetic production is in favour of collaborations with small medium-sized companies for the creation of an advantageous research and development lab.

The main goal is to offer solutions for the needs expressed by the cosmetic segment. The research staff does this by independently developing methods taking advantage of their specialized skills and their own laboratories to then put at disposal their services and high level training courses with personal assistance in the development of testing strategies.

Currently they mainly do projects dedicated to the study and the use of microalgae for cosmetic purposes and those dedicated to the development of in vitro testing models with an elevated efficiency in information collection to replace the current models based on animal testing.

cosmetologia

  • In vitro testing

In compliance with the Regulation (CE) n. 1223/2009 which has permanently prohibited animal testing, the Cosmetic field is in search of alternative methods to replace testing in vivo. These methods should be able to reveal possible pathological reactions or beneficial effects of locally applied cosmetic products or of certain of their active components which are of considerate interest. Thanks to the laboratories of cell culture, cytofluorimetry, biochemistry and molecular biology our institute is capable of performing standard in vitro tests (cytotoxicity and fototoxicity test, etc.). Since September 2014 the institute is holder of the Cariplo project with the title: NO PAIN “A cosmetic field guaranteed without animal testing – the development of an in vitro model with an elevated efficiency in information collection”.

  • Phytocomplexes and active components for “green cosmetics”

The market trends which tend towards natural and biological cosmetic products implies the use of raw material and active components which are defined as derived from natural origin, i.e. those for which the natural part of the molecule has a primary role in the functionality of the product. Therefore, the laboratory is dedicated to studying and extracting phytocomplexes and active components useful in the development of the formula of cosmetic product.

The recent interest in innovative and efficient products has pushed the Institute into the study of “phytoplankton” and, more specifically, the cultivation of microalgae strains which are of significant interest to the cosmetic sector. Many studies confirm the beneficial effects of microalgae extracts to protect the tissues from various environmental pollutants, stress and aging. Various aspects, however, remain to this day unexplored and they prove to be an interesting opportunity for the research of bioactive molecules due to their wide range of application possibilities.

PROJECTS

From March 2015 the institute is holder of the Cariplo project MICROFLOWER: Characterization of high-biological-value microalgae and model-based optimization of growth to upgrade the floristic facilities.

TRAINING

The Institute offers high level training activities by organising moments of dissemination and exchange of research results with companies from the sector, in order to guarantee the diffusion of knowledge in the scientific field.

CONTACT : silvia.cenadelli@istitutospallanzani.it;