Welcome to the 10th edition of the Cosmetic Victories
The Competition
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One of the most challenging issues of the Cosmetic Valley is to detect and support the young innovative companies, as well as to promote the research and the cosmetic sciences. This led to the creation of The Cosmetic Victories competition in 2015, sponsored by the Cosmetic Valley endowment fund.
The competition, recognized by the profession, aims to reward and promote students, researchers, start-ups and SMEs in charge of innovative projects, related to the perfume and cosmetics industry, as well as to promote the research and innovation that will participate in the future of the cosmetics industry.
Objectives of the competition
- To support projects run by researchers, start-ups and entrepreneurs from the perfume and cosmetics sector
- To promote the worldwide research excellency
- To facilitate the access to the market
The Cosmetic Victories awards 2 prizes:
- The Academic Prize, for the most relevant research project that meets the new technical challenges of the cosmetic industry
- The Industry Prize, for the best cosmetic innovation of the year
Who can take part in the competition?
The Cosmetic Victories competition is open to contestants from all around the world:
- The Academic Prize: for PhD students, post-doctoral fellows and researchers
- The Industry Prize: for managers of business-creation projects, innovative start-ups and SMEs
Which types of research & innovation?
- Ecological Transition and Societal Impact
Practices and technologies promoting sustainability, resource conservation, and improving carbon footprint and consumer well-being.
Environmental impact reduction, traceability, supply chain structuring, sustainable product development, recycling, upcycling, eco-design, reuse and reduction technologies, bulk distribution, biodegradability.
Resource consumption reduction, decarbonization, water/electricity savings, life cycle assessment (LCA), waste treatment.
Societal impact, emotion, sensory perception (olfactory, tactile, visual, auditory), neurosciences, mental health.
Development of cosmetopea, biosourcing, use and transformation of biomass and agricultural by-products, algae, regeneration, biopolymers, biomimicry studies, biodiversity studies.
- Optimization of Product, Human, and Environmental Interactions
Analysis and management of interactions between products and biological targets, as well as their impact on humans and the environment (skin, nails, hair, cutaneous microbiome, and the environment).
Safety, toxicology, ecotoxicology, pollution, microbiology, cutaneous microbiome, preservation, interactions, content/container transfer, material physics.
Formulation, bioactives, encapsulation, vectorization, targeting, stability, galenics, rheology.
Biological activities, skin models, in vivo, ex vivo, in vitro, genomics, characterization, analytical chemistry, testing, efficacy demonstration, physiology, imaging, sensory analysis, photonic biology.
- Advanced Technologies and Digitalization
Technological and digital innovations to optimize processes and product development, improve production, industrialization, and the user experience.
Eco-processes, eco-extraction, NaDes (Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents), supercritical solvents, green technology, green chemistry.
Nanotechnology, biotechnology.
Robotics, mechatronics, automation, Industry 5.0, supply chain, 3D printing, rapid prototyping.
Digital, machine learning, AI, virtual/augmented reality, blockchain, IoT/connected factories, digital twins, metaverse, predictive tools.
Data analysis, big data, algorithms, e-commerce, personalization.
The prize
Recognition by the profession
The international jury’s excellence adds value and considerable scope to each prize-winner’s project.
International exposure
Following the competition, there will be major national and international press coverage.
Technical backing
Project holders might be supported by Cosmetic Valley to develop their project, facilitating collaborations, and connecting with Beauty Hub, the cosmetics accelerator
Financial backing
To support the competition’s prize-winning projects, and based on the COSMETIC VALLEY endowment fund, winners of The Cosmetic Victories award will receive a cash prize of €10,000.
Take part in the ceremony
Nominees for 2025
For the Academic Research Prize
The project "Natural instability of proteins as a biomarker of aging", carried by PRIAULT Muriel from IBGC CNRS (France)
The project "Lactobacillus-Derived Exosomes: A Microbiota-Friendly Approach to Antioxidant Protection, Skin Barrier Enhancement, and Tissue Regeneration", carried by PARZIALE Martina from University of Naples Federico II (Italy)
The project "Sensory neuron activation from topical treatments modulates the sensorial perception of human skin", carried by BENNETT- KENNETT Ross from Stanford University (California)
For the Industrial Prize
The project "Neurons as a sensor: a way to digitize human biology", carried by GUICHARD Alexandre from the Start-up NETRI (France)
The project "Creation of a nanometric Digital Skin Twin through AFM and AI", carried by DERVILLEZ Arthur from the start-up Loretta (France)
The project "Rapid analysis of skin microbiome and recommendation of a 100% personalized beauty routine", carried by SUISSA David from the SME BYOME LABS (France)
The Jury
The Cosmetic Victories relies on an international prestigious jury, composed of scientific, innovation cosmetic experts, members of the major companies and top names in the perfume / cosmetics sector.
The panel of judges brought together major public institutions, representatives from the profession and prestigious French brands :
Presided by:
COSMETIC VALLEY – Marc-Antoine JAMET – President
ESSEC Ventures – Aline DE SALINELLES – Director of Corporate Partnerships ESSEC Business School ESSEC/Head of the Marketing Department
Animated by:
DORLHAC Laurence – Journalist
In the presence of:
BPI France – Sandrine OTTONELLO – Sector Manager Chemicals – Environment
CNRS – Lalla Maarouf-Dafali – Cooperation Manager of the Agri-Food and Perfumery-Cosmetics Sectors
French Society of Cosmetology – Richard LEROUX – President
Caudalie – Jean-Christophe CHOULOT – R&D Director
French Beauty Touch – Sébastien GUERRA – President
Groupe Rocher – Véronique SCHWARTZ-BOISHU – Innovation & Development Director
Hermès – Mickael POLETTI – R&D Director Hermès Fragrances & Beauty
Les Secrets De Loly – Kelly MASSOL – President
L'Oréal – Ségolène PANHARD – Advanced Research Transformation Manager
LVMH Research – Karl PAYS – President
PUIG – Dara HUN – R&D Director
SHISEIDO - Deborah MOREAU - Head of Technical Information Development & Toxicology
Sisley – José GINESTAR – R&D Director
SOTHYS – Florent MAS – R&D Director
TCELS – Patcharaporn WONGSA – Vice president
Members of the Selection Committee 2025
| Amandine GOUBERT | R&I Director Cosmetic Valley | FRANCE |
|---|---|---|
| Konrad TERPILOWSKI | Department of Interfacial Phenomena - Maria Curie-Sklodowska University in Lublin | POLAND |
| Laurent BILLON | Institute of Analytical Sciences and Physical Chemistry for the Environment and Materials IPREM UMR5254 - CNRS | FRANCE |
| Lionel RIPOLL | Department of Basic Sciences - Québec University | CANADA |
| Majella LANE | UCL Skin Research group - School of Pharmacy, University of London | UNITED KINGDOM |
| Neti WARANUCH | Cosmetics and Natural Products Research Center (CosNat) - Naresuan University | THAILAND |
| Roberto Rocca | AI and Industrial Processes - POLIMI | ITALY |
| Wen-yin CHEN | Precision Healthcare and Nutrition Technology Laboratory - Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) | TAIWAN |
| Yuji YAMASHITA | Associate Professor Cosmetic Science Laboratory - Faculty of Pharmacy Chiba Institute of Science | JAPAN |
| Zorita DIACONEASA | Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology - University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca | ROMANIA |
The Endowment Fund
The COSMETIC VALLEY endowment fund was set up in 2013 to promote French research and to take part in developing employment in the perfume and cosmetics field, with the aim of showcasing the reputation of French cosmetics and the “Made in France” label.
That is why the Endowment Fund authorised the establishment of an annual international competition for young researchers, academics, university students and those from France’s prestigious higher education institutes, as well as people in charge of innovative projects (from start-ups and SMEs) in the perfume and cosmetics field.
The first edition of the competition was launched in 2015 with the name
“The Cosmetic Victories”.
Winners
The Academic Prize 2024
Matej HLADIS
Université de Côte d'Azur (FRANCE)
Deciphering the Code of Scent: a Bio-Inspired AI for Accurate Odor Perception Prediction:
This innovative project uses knowledge of odor coding, the biological mechanism by which our brains interpret smells, to develop a bio-inspired AI capable of accurately predicting odor perception. Grounded in fundamental biology, our pipeline can incorporate genetic information, enabling the creation of personalized scents. By opening the way for the modeling of complex mixtures, we aspire to create a tool that empowers its users to craft innovative fragrances, while also providing alternatives to raw materials to reduce their ecological impact.
The Academic Prize 2023
Ophélie PIERRE
Université de Bretagne Occidentale (FRANCE)
Model Of reiNnervaTed Human Skin :
The project involves the final validation of a model of skin reconstructed by sensory neurones. These are obtained from human samples, thereby doing away with using animals. An irritated or sensitive skin can be simulated using this unique model. This research work will be used to develop new, more appropriate ingredients and new care products, especially for atopic skins.
The Industry Prize 2024
Prateek MAHALWAR
BIOWEG (GERMANY)
Revolutionizing The Future Of Bio-Ingredients With The Power Of Microbes & Green Chemistry
MicBeads100 is a bacterial cellulose-derived functional micropowder replacing solid microplastics like PMMA in cosmetics & personal care products – the bio-alternative medium to large companies in the FMCG sector are seeking for. Consciously produced by upcycling agri and food waste and applying green chemistry, our innovative and sustainable ingredient brings value by fully biodegrading within 60 days, surpassing synthetic polymers in performance and complying with new EU regulations on microplastics.
The Industry Prize 2023
Maximilian WEBERS
Colipi (GERMANY)
Carbon-Light Alternative to Palm Oil :
The start-up has opted to work with the fastest-growing micro-organism on Earth and for which CO2 is the only carbon source. This innovation converts the carbon dioxide in the air into biomass, thereby producing a vegetable oil with very similar properties to palm oil, whose cosmetic properties are highly acclaimed. It not only provides a technical substitution for palm oil but also a decarbonisation solution for industry.
The Academic Prize 2022
Sami HALILA
CNRS Researcher in Glychochemistry - Centre de Recherches sur les Macromolécules Végétales – CNRS, Grenoble (France)
Carbogel A Simple and Eco-Friendly Carbohydrate-Based Gelling Agent for Oily Phase :
The project relates on the supramolecular gelation of organic liquids, such as organic solvents or oils, with monosaccharide derivatives that self-assemble into hierarchical 3D network of nanostructures. The sweet gelators are made from an eco-friendly and efficient method (reaction in water). Gelation could be performed by sonication, or by heating/cooling, or by dilution. The gel is considered as a stimuli-responsive and controlled delivery matrix for cosmetic agents. Finally, our project contributes to "green" and sustainable cosmetics by limiting our environmental and social impact.
The Industry Prize 2022
Stefan MAZY
CEO Founder - Derma Health Solutions Pty Ltd (Australia)
SkinRNA Micro-cell Test :
A world-first, repeatable, epigenetic diagnostic skin patch and laboratory test that quantifies skincare effectiveness via real-time gene expression activity. Our device collects more than 15,000 genes, while our algorithms provide gene expression activity scores for skin functions including collagen and elastin production, and skin inflammation. After product intervention, a second test is performed measuring new gene activity against initial benchmarks. Consumers can then repeat testing at intervals to track and monitor skin improvement at a genetic level without waiting for visible signs.