Surface and Beneath Skin’s Secrets: Quantitative Imaging and Sensing
What Is the ISBS?
The International Society for Bioengineering of the Skin (ISBS) was formed informally in 1976 and formally constituted in 1993. In 2005, the International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI) merged with ISBS under the new name International Society for Biophysics and Imaging of the Skin.
The Society focuses on the development, use, and spread of knowledge on skin bioengineering techniques. World Congresses are held on a biennial schedule, and the official journal of the ISBS is Skin Research and Technology. The ISBS operates as a charity under Swiss law, with no commercial interests, relying on membership dues and donations to support its activities.
For nearly five decades, the ISBS has connected dermatologists, biophysicists, cosmetic scientists, pharmacologists, toxicologists, and bioengineers from around the world — making it one of the most multidisciplinary forums in skin science.
The 2026 Edition: Lyon, June 10–12
The ISBS 2026 World Congress will take place on June 10–12, 2026, at the École Centrale de Lyon, Lyon, France.
This year’s congress theme is “Surface and Beneath Skin’s Secrets: Quantitative Imaging and Sensing” — a theme that captures the direction the entire field is taking: beyond the visible, into the structural, biomechanical, and molecular layers of the skin. Quantitative imaging and advanced sensing are reshaping how researchers and industry professionals evaluate skin properties, validate efficacy claims, and understand aging processes.
The congress opens on Wednesday, June 10 with a Satellite Workshop co-organized with the French Society of Dermatology (Imaging Working Group), dedicated to Skin Imaging in Dermatology and Cosmetic Research, chaired by Prof. Hassan Zahouani. The workshop runs from 14:00 to 17:30, featuring oral presentations on LC-OCT imaging, AI-powered PASI scoring, dermal microstructure analysis, and deep learning for skin structure characterization. A Welcome Reception for all congress attendees follows at 18:30.
The main congress runs over Thursday June 11 and Friday June 12, with four thematic sessions, four keynote lectures, 39 oral communications, poster sessions, and a Gala Dinner.
Four Scientific Sessions — A Tour of the Program
Session 1 — New Experimental and Digital Methods for Skin and Hair Characterization
Opening with Keynote #1 by Xavier Descombes (INRIA) on machine learning applications in skin image analysis, this session covers cutting-edge measurement innovation: smartphone-based skin color measurement for personalized cosmetics (Nkengne), wearable bioimpedance sensors for real-world skin monitoring (Sgoluppi), high-frequency ultrasound combined with AI for aesthetic medicine (Fanian), a novel LED-based device for in vivo SPF/UVA-PF estimation (Reble), olfactory sensing for cutaneous malignancy detection (Dorado Cortez), and an integrative approach combining digital image analysis with biophysical measurements (Jomier).
Session 2 — Skin Biomechanics and Ageing
Dr. Roberto Santoprete (L’Oréal Research & Innovation) delivers Keynote #2 on the integrated clinical-computational analysis of facial sagging, exploring biomechanical mechanisms beneath the skin surface. The session then dives into: the “ring-collagen” tensional network preserving facial morphology (Ezure), multiscale anisotropy of dermal collagen as an aging marker (Bozec), shear wave stimulation effects on skin elasticity (Randrianavony), multimodal sensing from surface morphology to subsurface mechanics (Dorado Cortez), biomechanical properties across ethnicities and aging (Bonnier), and a multi-technical in vivo analysis of age-related biomechanical changes (André). Later presentations cover tactile sensing, texture discrimination, and a new Tactile Acuity Index for skin aging assessment. isbskin
Session 3 — Skin Imaging
This session is a showcase of the most advanced imaging technologies applied to skin, including generative AI for synthetic polarization contrast in OCT (Lee), 3D quantitative imaging of sunscreen film microstructural gaps via LC-OCT (Singh), multiphoton microscopy for sunscreen structural characterization (Infante), micromirror-based deep-tissue imaging (Darvin), deep learning for two-photon microscopy skin classification (Wang), AI-driven regional facial aging pattern analysis in Korean participants (Park), multimodal in vivo barrier repair assessment combining 3D LC-OCT and Raman spectroscopy (Assi), and dual-frequency virtual H&E staining for skin histopathology (Kim).
Session 4 — Skin Studies: From Physiology Knowledge to Product Evaluation
The most applied session of the congress, directly relevant to the cosmetics testing industry. Topics include the neuroscience of cleansing (Potter), in vivo Raman spectroscopy for skin barrier and topical product evaluation (Hennighausen, Khattignavong, Nico), OCT-based barrier damage recovery assessment (Shin), next-generation sunscreen spectroscopic evaluation under global warming conditions (Gourion-Arsiquaud), standardized remote photography for sleep-related skin changes (Rigal-Dachaud), avocado oil organogel effects on hydration (Maia Campos), transcriptomic signatures of infant skin development (Visscher), and infant skin microbiome integrity under acidic emollient application (Fluhr).
The congress closes with a Best Poster Award ceremony.
Scientific & Organizing Committees
The Scientific Committee includes: Joachim Fluhr, Bernard Querleux, Hassan Zahouani, Georgios Stamatas, Tim Houser, and Stacy Hawkins. The congress organization is led by Hassan Zahouani and Bernard Querleux.
Why It Matters for the Cosmetics Industry
The ISBS 2026 program covers topics that are directly actionable for cosmetics testing professionals: non-invasive skin barrier evaluation, in vivo efficacy measurement of topical products, quantitative imaging of sunscreens, biomechanical characterization of aging, and AI-powered skin analysis tools. This is the crossroads between fundamental skin biophysics and applied cosmetic testing — and it is precisely where the Skinobs community operates.
With 39 oral communications and dedicated poster sessions spanning 3 days, the congress offers an unparalleled density of scientific content for formulation scientists, clinical researchers, laboratory professionals, and anyone involved in skin product development and evaluation.
Skinobs at ISBS 2026
As the world’s leading independent platform for cosmetic testing methods and CRO laboratories, Skinobs is a proud partner of the ISBS 2026 World Congress. This partnership reflects our mission: making cutting-edge skin science accessible to the entire cosmetics industry.
We invite our community to attend, connect with the researchers behind the latest imaging and sensing technologies, and discover how these innovations are reshaping the landscape of cosmetic claim substantiation.
Practical Information
- Dates: June 10–12, 2026
- Venue: École Centrale de Lyon, Lyon, France
- Registration: www.eventliveus.com/event/10347/isbs-world-congress-2026
- Official website: isbskin.org
Find all the laboratories and test methods referenced at this congress directly on skinobs.com. Stay tuned on Cosmetics Testing News for our post-congress coverage.
